Palencia
42.010°, -4.524° · 739 m a.s.l.
Visible
The Sun clears local terrain by 7.84° at C3.
100/100Excellent
100%
You'll see full totality. C3 — the end of totality — is visible above the horizon.
Total eclipse · 100% obscuration
See the eclipse from Palencia minute by minute
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Photo: Alejandro Polanco · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
About Palencia
Palencia is the capital of its namesake province, located in the heart of Castilla y León, on the banks of the Carrión River. It sits on the cereal plains of the northern meseta, at 739 metres above sea level, with around 78,600 inhabitants. Its central position on the northern submeseta gives it a wide, clear horizon towards the west, which is relevant for astronomical observation.
For this eclipse
On 12 August 2026, Palencia lies within the path of totality: the eclipse is total and the verdict is favourable. Third contact (C3)—the moment the Moon begins to leave the Sun's disc—occurs at 20:29 local time. With the Sun at 8.6° above the horizon and a margin of 7.8° above the surrounding terrain, the totality phase should be visible without obstruction from locations with clear sightlines towards the west-northwest.
The weather in August
August in Palencia is characterised by low storm risk according to AEMET climate data from 1991–2020, which is favourable for eclipse observation. The continental climate of the Castilian meseta brings dry, sunny summers with scarce summer rainfall. August afternoons typically offer stable skies, especially in the hours before sunset, the time window in which this phenomenon will occur.
Past eclipses
The last total eclipse visible from Palencia occurred on 30 August 1905, 121 years ago, with a totality duration of around three and a quarter minutes. Before that, an annular eclipse crossed the area on 1 April 1764, 262 years ago. After the eclipses of 2026 and 2028, the next significant annular eclipse for this city is forecast for 27 February 2082.
Direction and altitude of the Sun
At the moment of maximum eclipse, at 20:29 on 12 August 2026, the Sun will be 8.6° above the horizon, oriented towards the west-northwest, with an azimuth of 282°. This position, close to the horizon but with sufficient clearance above local terrain, requires finding an observation site with unobstructed visibility in that direction to guarantee a complete view of totality.
Editorial text by eclipses.app · Data: Wikidata, AEMET, NASA and astronomy-engine.
Eclipse schedule in Palencia
| Phase | UTC | Local time | Sun alt. | Sun az. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C1 — Partial begins | 17:33 UTC | 19:33 | +19.0° | 273.1° |
| C2 — Totality begins | 18:28 UTC | 20:28 | +8.9° | 282.0° |
| Maximum | 18:29 UTC | 20:29 | +8.7° | 282.2° |
| C3 — Totality ends | 18:30 UTC | 20:30 | +8.6° | 282.3° |
| C4 — Partial ends | 19:22 UTC | 21:22 | -0.1° | 290.8° |
Sun direction and altitude at C4
Look toward WNW (290.8°)
Azimuth at C4
290.8° WNW
Sun altitude at C4
-0.15°
Terrain horizon
0.71°
Sun−terrain margin
+7.84°
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 Palencia
| Peak | Elevation | Distance | Azimuth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monte Rey | 898 m | 15.2 km | 50° NE |
| Monte Reinoso | 889 m | 13.9 km | 113° ESE |
| Pico de Cuesta Vega | 888 m | 10.1 km | 43° NE |
| Valdebecerra | 883 m | 11.9 km | 141° SE |
| Cincopicos | 872 m | 3.0 km | 124° ESE |
| La Junquera | 872 m | 12.7 km | 110° ESE |
| El Castillo | 871 m | 7.2 km | 109° ESE |
| Albardieles | 867 m | 12.3 km | 126° SE |
Weather in Palencia in August
Historical cloud cover
P25 — clearer days
0%
Median cloud cover
0%
P75 — cloudier days
0%
Source: ERA5 (ECMWF), 10-year average at the eclipse hour.
Other eclipses seen from Palencia
- Last total eclipseAugust 30, 1905121 years ago
- Last annular eclipseApril 1, 1764262 years ago
- Next annular eclipseFebruary 27, 2082
Solar eclipses computed from astronomical ephemerides for the city's coordinates.
Frequently asked questions about the eclipse in Palencia
Will the eclipse of August 12, 2026 be visible from Palencia?
Yes — Palencia is inside the totality path and the horizon allows the total phase to be fully visible.
What time is the eclipse maximum in Palencia?
Maximum occurs at 20:29 local time (18:29 UTC) in Palencia.
Which direction to look to watch the eclipse from Palencia?
Look WNW (azimuth 282°); the Sun will be 9° above the horizon at maximum from Palencia.
How long does totality last in Palencia?
Totality lasts 1 min 46 s in Palencia (C2 to C3).
Is Palencia a good place to watch the eclipse?
Palencia 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 Castile and León →Where to stay in Palencia
For the August 12 eclipse. Recommended stay: Aug 10–14, 2026.
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