Pilar de la Horadada
37.866°, -0.793° · 31 m a.s.l.
Visible
Partial eclipse · 98% obscuration
The Sun clears local terrain by 3.15° at peak.
70/100Good
98%
Partial eclipse · 98% obscuration
See the eclipse from Pilar de la Horadada minute by minute
Compare locations, save your plan and enable cloud alerts.
Photo: Joanbanjo · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
About Pilar de la Horadada
Pilar de la Horadada occupies the southernmost corner of the province of Alicante, in the Valencian Community, bordering the Region of Murcia. With a population of around 21,400 inhabitants and an altitude of barely 31 meters above sea level, the municipality stretches along a coastal strip with a wide horizon facing the Mediterranean. Its location at the southern boundary of the Valencian Community gives it a maritime character which, on clear summer days, offers wide visibility toward the western horizon.
For this eclipse
On August 12, 2026, Pilar de la Horadada will experience a partial solar eclipse. Maximum will occur at 20:35, when the Sun will be just 4° above the horizon. With a margin of 3.1° from the terrain profile, observation will require a completely clear western horizon toward the west-northwest. Although this is not a total eclipse, the Sun's low angle at that hour adds a particular character to the observation, with the Moon cutting across the solar disk along the horizon line.
The weather in August
August is the sunniest and driest month of the year in Pilar de la Horadada. According to data from the AEMET station for the period 1991–2020, average temperature is around 26 °C, with highs near 30 °C and lows of 22 °C. Average precipitation does not exceed 8 mm and the municipality accumulates more than 316 hours of sunshine in the month. With a 76% probability of clear skies and reduced risk of thunderstorms, summer conditions are favorable for eclipse observation.
Past eclipses
The last total eclipse visible from Pilar de la Horadada occurred on May 12, 1706, over 320 years ago, with totality lasting approximately two minutes and forty seconds. As for the future, the next annular eclipse observable from the municipality will arrive on July 13, 2075, while one must wait until June 20, 2327 for the following total eclipse.
Direction and altitude of the Sun
At the moment of maximum eclipse, at 20:35 on August 12, 2026, the Sun will be at an azimuth of 286° and an altitude of 4° above the horizon. An azimuth of 286° corresponds to a direction almost due west, slightly displaced toward the northwest. For practical purposes, the observer should look toward the west-northwest with the Sun very close to the horizon line. It is advisable to find a location with wide views of the sea or open terrain in that direction.
Editorial text by eclipses.app · Data: Wikidata, AEMET, NASA and astronomy-engine.
Eclipse schedule in Pilar de la Horadada
| Phase | UTC | Local time | Sun alt. | Sun az. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C1 — Partial begins | 17:41 UTC | 19:41 | +14.4° | 277.8° |
| Maximum | 18:35 UTC | 20:35 | +4.0° | 285.8° |
| C4 — Partial ends | 19:26 UTC | 21:26 | -5.1° | 293.7° |
Sun direction and altitude at C4
Look toward WNW (293.7°)
Azimuth at C4
293.7° WNW
Sun altitude at C4
-5.08°
Terrain horizon
0.84°
Sun−terrain margin
+3.15°
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 Pilar de la Horadada
| Peak | Elevation | Distance | Azimuth |
|---|---|---|---|
| ColumbaresIn the Sun's direction | 647 m | 21.2 km | 288° WNW |
| AltahonaIn the Sun's direction | 532 m | 19.4 km | 290° WNW |
| Pico del ÁguilaIn the Sun's direction | 449 m | 22.3 km | 293° WNW |
| Los MamellonesIn the Sun's direction | 428 m | 22.6 km | 294° WNW |
| Cabezo del BuitreIn the Sun's direction | 403 m | 23.7 km | 284° WNW |
| El PuntarrónIn the Sun's direction | 379 m | 24.9 km | 292° WNW |
| Cabezo Gordo | 312 m | 12.4 km | 235° SW |
| Cabezo Pisana | 261 m | 21.7 km | 320° NW |
Weather in Pilar de la Horadada in August
Avg. temp.
26°C
Max / min
29.8° / 22.2°
Precipitation
7.8 mm
Storm risk
Low
Station SAN JAVIER AEROPUERTO, 9 km away · Period 1991-2020 · Source: AEMET
Historical cloud cover
P25 — clearer days
1%
Median cloud cover
3%
P75 — cloudier days
8%
Source: ERA5 (ECMWF), 10-year average at the eclipse hour.
Other eclipses seen from Pilar de la Horadada
- Last total eclipseMay 12, 1706320 years ago
- Next total eclipseJune 20, 2327
- Next annular eclipseJuly 13, 2075
Solar eclipses computed from astronomical ephemerides for the city's coordinates.
Frequently asked questions about the eclipse in Pilar de la Horadada
Will the eclipse of August 12, 2026 be visible from Pilar de la Horadada?
Yes, partial eclipse: the Sun will be 98% covered at maximum from Pilar de la Horadada.
What time is the eclipse maximum in Pilar de la Horadada?
Maximum occurs at 20:35 local time (18:35 UTC) in Pilar de la Horadada.
Which direction to look to watch the eclipse from Pilar de la Horadada?
Look WNW (azimuth 286°); the Sun will be 4° above the horizon at maximum from Pilar de la Horadada.
Is Pilar de la Horadada a good place to watch the eclipse?
Pilar de la Horadada is a good option (score 70/100): all eclipse phases are visible, though not the regional optimum.
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 Pilar de la Horadada
For the August 12 eclipse. Recommended stay: Aug 10–14, 2026.
Search lodging on Booking →Affiliate link · no extra cost to you
Embed this eclipse on your site
Generate the code to embed the eclipse widget on your hotel, town hall or blog website.
<iframe src="https://eclipses.app/embed/widget?lat=37.8659&lon=-0.7926&size=standard&theme=dark&locale=en" width="320" height="340" frameborder="0" loading="lazy" title="Eclipse 2026"></iframe>Share it to help others find out if they'll see the eclipse