Rivas-Vaciamadrid
40.326°, -3.511° · 570 m a.s.l.
Visible
Partial eclipse · 99.9% obscuration
The Sun clears local terrain by 6.72° at peak.
75/100Very good
99.9%
Partial eclipse · 99.9% obscuration
See the eclipse from Rivas-Vaciamadrid minute by minute
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Photo: Zarateman · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons
About Rivas-Vaciamadrid
Rivas-Vaciamadrid is a municipality in the Community of Madrid located southeast of the capital, in the Madrid Southeast region. With nearly 68,400 inhabitants and an altitude of 570 metres above sea level, it sits on the left bank of the Jarama River, in a landscape of plains and hills characteristic of the Castilian plateau. Its urban development has been especially intense since the 1990s, making it one of the region's fastest-growing municipalities.
For this eclipse
On 12 August 2026, Rivas-Vaciamadrid will experience a partial solar eclipse with maximum at 20:32 local time. The Sun will be 7.2° above the horizon, with a margin of 6.7° relative to the surrounding terrain, so the eclipse will be visible without appreciable obstruction. For comfortable viewing, it is best to find a position with clear horizon towards the west-northwest, the direction in which the Sun will reach its point of maximum obscuration.
The weather in August
August in Rivas-Vaciamadrid follows the continental pattern of inland Madrid: dry, hot summers with long days of blue sky and sparse cloud cover. According to AEMET records for the 1991–2020 period, the risk of thunderstorms during this month is low, which favours astronomical observations at night and twilight. The low relative humidity of the semi-arid Jarama environment contributes to air transparency at dusk.
Past eclipses
The last total eclipse visible from Rivas-Vaciamadrid occurred on 8 July 1842, 184 years ago, with totality lasting just over two minutes. More recently, on 3 October 2005, an annular eclipse covered 90.3% of the solar disc, a phenomenon that many current residents could have witnessed. After the eclipses of 2026, 2027 and 2028, the next annular eclipse will not arrive until 8 December 2113.
Direction and altitude of the Sun
At the moment of maximum eclipse, at 20:32, the Sun will be around 7.2° above the horizon with an azimuth of 283°, that is, practically towards the west-northwest. At that afternoon hour, the light will acquire the warm, lengthened tones characteristic of twilight, which will make the reduction in luminosity caused by the eclipse even more striking. It is recommended to keep the western horizon clear of buildings or trees in order to appreciate the phenomenon in full.
Editorial text by eclipses.app · Data: Wikidata, AEMET, NASA and astronomy-engine.
Eclipse schedule in Rivas-Vaciamadrid
| Phase | UTC | Local time | Sun alt. | Sun az. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C1 — Partial begins | 17:36 UTC | 19:36 | +17.5° | 274.8° |
| Maximum | 18:32 UTC | 20:32 | +7.2° | 283.5° |
| C4 — Partial ends | 19:24 UTC | 21:24 | -1.8° | 291.8° |
Sun direction and altitude at C4
Look toward WNW (291.8°)
Azimuth at C4
291.8° WNW
Sun altitude at C4
-1.79°
Terrain horizon
0.44°
Sun−terrain margin
+6.72°
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 Rivas-Vaciamadrid
| Peak | Elevation | Distance | Azimuth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cerro de la Virgen | 837 m | 24.5 km | 43° NE |
| Ecce-Homo | 836 m | 23.6 km | 42° NE |
| Montecillo | 751 m | 24.1 km | 170° S |
| La Tortuga | 731 m | 23.7 km | 40° NE |
| Cerro Almodóvar | 726 m | 10.0 km | 312° NW |
| Cerro del Tordo | 716 m | 22.3 km | 2° N |
| Cerro de Buenavista | 703 m | 21.0 km | 264° W |
| Rivas | 698.8 m | 4.5 km | 343° NNW |
Weather in Rivas-Vaciamadrid in August
Historical cloud cover
P25 — clearer days
0%
Median cloud cover
4%
P75 — cloudier days
49%
Source: ERA5 (ECMWF), 10-year average at the eclipse hour.
Other eclipses seen from Rivas-Vaciamadrid
- Last total eclipseJuly 8, 1842184 years ago
- Last annular eclipseOctober 3, 200521 years ago
- Next annular eclipseDecember 8, 2113
Solar eclipses computed from astronomical ephemerides for the city's coordinates.
Frequently asked questions about the eclipse in Rivas-Vaciamadrid
Will the eclipse of August 12, 2026 be visible from Rivas-Vaciamadrid?
Yes, partial eclipse: the Sun will be 99.9% covered at maximum from Rivas-Vaciamadrid.
What time is the eclipse maximum in Rivas-Vaciamadrid?
Maximum occurs at 20:32 local time (18:32 UTC) in Rivas-Vaciamadrid.
Which direction to look to watch the eclipse from Rivas-Vaciamadrid?
Look WNW (azimuth 283°); the Sun will be 7° above the horizon at maximum from Rivas-Vaciamadrid.
Is Rivas-Vaciamadrid a good place to watch the eclipse?
Yes, Rivas-Vaciamadrid is an excellent choice (score 75/100): favorable geometry, clear horizon, and good August climatology.
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 Community of Madrid →Where to stay in Rivas-Vaciamadrid
For the August 12 eclipse. Recommended stay: Aug 10–14, 2026.
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