Maó
39.889°, 4.266° · 39 m a.s.l.
Marginal
Marginal: only 1.10° between the Sun and the local skyline at C3.
80/100Very good
100%
Total eclipse · 100% obscuration
See the eclipse from Maó minute by minute
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Photo: Jorge Franganillo · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
About Maó
Maó is the capital of Menorca, the easternmost island of the Balearic archipelago, and belongs to the autonomous community of the Balearic Islands. With nearly 29,000 inhabitants and an altitude of 39 meters above sea level, it is the main urban center on the island. The city is built around its extensive ría, whose opening to the Mediterranean has defined the coastal profile and maritime character that have characterized Maó since its origins.
For this eclipse
On August 12, 2026, Maó lies within the path of totality of the solar eclipse. Maximum eclipse occurs at 20:30, with the Sun at only 1.7° above the horizon in the direction of 288°, almost due west-northwest. The verdict is marginal: the Sun will be barely a degree above the topographic horizon, which means that any obstruction in that direction could prevent observation of totality.
The weather in August
According to AEMET data for the period 1991–2020, August in Maó shows a low thunderstorm risk. For an eclipse occurring at 20:30, when the Sun grazes the west-northwest horizon, atmospheric stability is especially important: a low cloud to the west could be enough to obscure totality. The reduced thunderstorm risk is, in this context, a favorable indicator for observers planning to travel to Maó.
Past eclipses
The annular eclipse of November 11, 1901, 125 years ago, was the last of its kind visible from Maó: the Moon covered 82.3% of the solar disk in a ring of fire that lasted around six and a half minutes. After the total eclipse of August 2026, Maó will have to wait until July 13, 2075 for the next annular eclipse and until November 17, 2180 for the next totality.
Direction and altitude of the Sun
At maximum eclipse, at 20:30, the Sun will be at 288° azimuth and only 1.7° altitude above the horizon. An azimuth of 288° corresponds to a direction almost due west-northwest, about 18° north of due west. With the Sun practically at the horizon's edge, the choice of observation point is decisive: a clear line of sight toward the west-northwest is needed, with no buildings or terrain blocking this narrow band of sky.
Editorial text by eclipses.app · Data: Wikidata, AEMET, NASA and astronomy-engine.
Eclipse schedule in Maó
| Phase | UTC | Local time | Sun alt. | Sun az. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C1 — Partial begins | 17:37 UTC | 19:37 | +11.5° | 279.8° |
| C2 — Totality begins | 18:30 UTC | 20:30 | +1.9° | 288.0° |
| Maximum | 18:30 UTC | 20:30 | +1.8° | 288.1° |
| C3 — Totality ends | 18:31 UTC | 20:31 | +1.7° | 288.2° |
| C4 — Partial ends | 19:21 UTC | 21:21 | -6.9° | 296.4° |
Sun direction and altitude at C4
Look toward WNW (296.4°)
Azimuth at C4
296.4° WNW
Sun altitude at C4
-6.85°
Terrain horizon
0.61°
Sun−terrain margin
+1.10°
What the contact points (C1-C4) mean
A solar eclipse is described by four key moments, the contact points between the discs of the Sun and the Moon:
- C1First contact: the Moon touches the edge of the Sun and the partial eclipse begins.
- C2Second contact: the Moon fully covers the Sun and totality begins.
- C3Third contact: the Sun reappears and totality ends.
- C4Fourth contact: the Moon leaves the Sun's disc and the eclipse ends.
Where the eclipse is only partial, the Moon never fully covers the Sun: only C1 and C4 occur, with no totality in between.
Peaks near Maó
| Peak | Elevation | Distance | Azimuth |
|---|---|---|---|
| El ToroIn the Sun's direction | 362 m | 16.9 km | 310° NW |
| Puig de LanzellIn the Sun's direction | 232 m | 16.1 km | 311° NW |
Weather in Maó in August
Historical cloud cover
P25 — clearer days
0%
Median cloud cover
1%
P75 — cloudier days
19%
Source: ERA5 (ECMWF), 10-year average at the eclipse hour.
Other eclipses seen from Maó
- Last annular eclipseNovember 11, 1901125 years ago
- Next total eclipseNovember 17, 2180
- Next annular eclipseJuly 13, 2075
Solar eclipses computed from astronomical ephemerides for the city's coordinates.
Frequently asked questions about the eclipse in Maó
Will the eclipse of August 12, 2026 be visible from Maó?
Yes, but marginally: with 100% obscuration, the topographic horizon from Maó is very close to the Sun's altitude at the end.
What time is the eclipse maximum in Maó?
Maximum occurs at 20:30 local time (18:30 UTC) in Maó.
Which direction to look to watch the eclipse from Maó?
Look WNW (azimuth 288°); the Sun will be 2° above the horizon at maximum from Maó.
How long does totality last in Maó?
Totality lasts 1 min 13 s in Maó (C2 to C3).
Is Maó a good place to watch the eclipse?
Maó will see totality (C2-C3) very close to the western horizon. The partial end (C4) falls below the horizon: you need a clear western view for an epic experience.
Do I need special glasses to watch the eclipse?
Yes, you need ISO 12312-2 certified eclipse glasses during every partial phase. Regular sunglasses do NOT protect. Glasses can only be removed during the totality phase (when the Sun is fully covered); never during annular or partial eclipses. Pages flagged "visible" assume a clear horizon, not a viewing recommendation.
Nearby cities
All cities in Balearic Islands →Where to stay in Maó
For the August 12 eclipse. Recommended stay: Aug 10–14, 2026.
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