Moncada
39.546°, -0.396° · 34 m a.s.l.
Visible
The Sun clears local terrain by 2.77° at C3.
90/100Excellent
100%
You'll see full totality, but the Sun will set before the partial phase ends — an unusually epic finale.
Total eclipse · 100% obscuration
See the eclipse from Moncada minute by minute
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Photo: Enrique Íñiguez Rodríguez (Qoan) · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
About Moncada
Moncada is a municipality in Valencia Province, in the Valencian Community, located about 8 kilometres north of the capital. With nearly 21,900 inhabitants and an altitude of 34 metres above sea level, it occupies a place in the l'Horta Nord region, in the fertile alluvial plain of the Turia River. Its immediate surroundings combine residential areas with traditional orchards, reflecting the agricultural landscape that characterized this stretch of Mediterranean coast for centuries.
For this eclipse
On 12 August 2026, Moncada will lie within the path of totality of the solar eclipse. Maximum will occur at 20:32 local time, when the Sun will be just 4.5° above the horizon. With a margin of 2.8° above the calculated topographic profile, totality should be visible provided there are no obstacles—buildings, trees, or elevations—in the direction of 286° azimuth, which corresponds roughly to west-northwest.
The weather in August
According to AEMET climate data for the period 1991–2020, August in Moncada is a warm and dry month, with an average temperature of 26.4 °C, highs around 30 °C, and lows that rarely drop below 22.6 °C. Average monthly precipitation is just 16 mm, although the risk of afternoon thunderstorms is moderate, as frequently occurs inland near the Mediterranean during summer.
Past eclipses
The last total eclipse visible from Moncada occurred on 30 August 1905, 121 years ago, with a totality phase lasting just 42 seconds. More recently, on 3 October 2005, an annular eclipse covered 90.4% of the solar disk for just over 3 minutes. After the 2026 eclipse, the next annular eclipse visible from this point will not arrive until 13 July 2075.
Direction and altitude of the Sun
At the moment of maximum eclipse, at 20:32 on 12 August 2026, the Sun will be toward the west-northwest, with an azimuth of 286° and an altitude of just 4.5° above the horizon. That low position—with the Sun approaching sunset—gives the phenomenon a singular visual character, while also requiring that the observation point have a clear, unobstructed line of sight in that western direction.
Editorial text by eclipses.app · Data: Wikidata, AEMET, NASA and astronomy-engine.
Eclipse schedule in Moncada
| Phase | UTC | Local time | Sun alt. | Sun az. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C1 — Partial begins | 17:38 UTC | 19:38 | +14.8° | 277.2° |
| C2 — Totality begins | 18:32 UTC | 20:32 | +4.7° | 285.4° |
| Maximum | 18:32 UTC | 20:32 | +4.6° | 285.5° |
| C3 — Totality ends | 18:33 UTC | 20:33 | +4.5° | 285.6° |
| C4 — Partial ends | 19:24 UTC | 21:24 | -4.2° | 293.7° |
Sun direction and altitude at C4
Look toward WNW (293.7°)
Azimuth at C4
293.7° WNW
Sun altitude at C4
-4.24°
Terrain horizon
1.74°
Sun−terrain margin
+2.77°
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 Moncada
| Peak | Elevation | Distance | Azimuth |
|---|---|---|---|
| El Gorgo | 909 m | 23.7 km | 337° NNW |
| Montemayor | 899 m | 21.6 km | 343° NNW |
| la Jabonera | 876 m | 24.1 km | 339° NNW |
| Peñas Blancas | 845 m | 21.4 km | 346° NNW |
| Alto del Rodeno del Collado de la Moneda | 845 m | 23.7 km | 336° NNW |
| La Moratilla | 834 m | 22.6 km | 340° NNW |
| Penya Roja | 831 m | 20.3 km | 343° NNW |
| Alto del Sapo | 827 m | 19.7 km | 343° NNW |
Weather in Moncada in August
Avg. temp.
26.4°C
Max / min
30° / 22.6°
Precipitation
16 mm
Storm risk
Medium
Station VALÈNCIA, VIVEROS, 8 km away · Period 1991-2020 · Source: AEMET
Historical cloud cover
P25 — clearer days
6%
Median cloud cover
22%
P75 — cloudier days
47%
Source: ERA5 (ECMWF), 10-year average at the eclipse hour.
Other eclipses seen from Moncada
- Last total eclipseAugust 30, 1905121 years ago
- Last annular eclipseOctober 3, 200521 years ago
- Next annular eclipseJuly 13, 2075
Solar eclipses computed from astronomical ephemerides for the city's coordinates.
Frequently asked questions about the eclipse in Moncada
Will the eclipse of August 12, 2026 be visible from Moncada?
Yes — Moncada is inside the totality path and the horizon allows the total phase to be fully visible.
What time is the eclipse maximum in Moncada?
Maximum occurs at 20:32 local time (18:32 UTC) in Moncada.
Which direction to look to watch the eclipse from Moncada?
Look WNW (azimuth 286°); the Sun will be 5° above the horizon at maximum from Moncada.
How long does totality last in Moncada?
Totality lasts 1 min 12 s in Moncada (C2 to C3).
Is Moncada a good place to watch the eclipse?
Moncada 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 Valencian Community →Where to stay in Moncada
For the August 12 eclipse. Recommended stay: Aug 10–14, 2026.
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