Rota
36.624°, -6.360° · -9999 m a.s.l.
Hidden by terrain
Partial eclipse · 93% obscuration
Local terrain rises 79.89° above the Sun at peak.
35/100Poor
93%
Partial eclipse · 93% obscuration
See the eclipse from Rota minute by minute
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Photo: Antonio M. Romero Dorado · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
About Rota
Rota is a coastal municipality in the province of Cádiz, in Andalusia, located on the northern shore of the gulf formed by Cádiz Bay and the Atlantic coast. It has roughly 28,800 inhabitants, and its urban centre extends just metres from the sea. Historically, the town has combined fishing activity with the presence of the Spanish-American Naval Base, which shapes much of its territorial structure.
For this eclipse
On 12 August 2026, Rota will fall outside the path of totality and will experience only the partial phase. Maximum occurs at 20:38, when the Sun is 7.3° above the geometric horizon in the west-northwest direction (azimuth 283°). However, analysis of the topographic horizon shows that the Sun will be hidden behind the terrain at that moment, making direct observation of the eclipse impossible from the town without travelling elsewhere.
The weather in August
According to AEMET data for 1991–2020, August is the sunniest month of the year in Rota: the station records an average of 344 hours of sunlight during the month, with a mean temperature of 25.3 °C, highs of 30.7 °C and lows of 19.8 °C. Accumulated precipitation barely reaches 2 mm, and storm risk is low. The probability of clear skies in August is 83%, among the most favourable on the Cádiz coast.
Past eclipses
The last total eclipse visible from Rota occurred on 22 December 1870, 156 years ago, with a totality phase of just over two minutes. The last annular eclipse was recorded on 1 April 1764, 262 years ago. Following the eclipses of 2026 and 2028, the next annular eclipse from Rota is expected on 13 July 2075, and the next total eclipse will not arrive until 17 July 2205.
Direction and altitude of the Sun
At the moment of eclipse maximum, at 20:38, the Sun will be in the west-northwest direction, with an azimuth of 283° and a height above the geometric horizon of 7.3°. This low position in the sky, characteristic of late-summer afternoon, requires having a clear horizon in that direction: any obstacle—a building, a tree, or a terrain elevation—can completely block the view of the phenomenon.
Editorial text by eclipses.app · Data: Wikidata, AEMET, NASA and astronomy-engine.
Eclipse schedule in Rota
| Phase | UTC | Local time | Sun alt. | Sun az. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C1 — Partial begins | 17:43 UTC | 19:43 | +18.2° | 275.2° |
| Maximum | 18:38 UTC | 20:38 | +7.3° | 283.1° |
| C4 — Partial ends | 19:30 UTC | 21:30 | -2.2° | 290.8° |
Sun direction and altitude at C4
Look toward WNW (290.8°)
Azimuth at C4
290.8° WNW
Sun altitude at C4
-2.20°
Terrain horizon
87.14°
Sun−terrain margin
-79.89°
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 Rota
| Peak | Elevation | Distance | Azimuth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sierra de San Cristóbal | 125 m | 18.5 km | 86° E |
| Cerro de las Canteras | 110 m | 16.4 km | 84° E |
| Cerro de la Caridad Alta | 96 m | 15.1 km | 85° E |
| Cabeza de Aceña | 54 m | 23.0 km | 81° E |
| Cerro de Ceuta | 53.1 m | 20.1 km | 120° ESE |
| Corral Grande | 28 m | 22.1 km | 355° N |
Weather in Rota in August
Avg. temp.
25.3°C
Max / min
30.7° / 19.8°
Precipitation
2 mm
Storm risk
Low
Station ROTA, BASE NAVAL, 3 km away · Period 1991-2020 · Source: AEMET
Historical cloud cover
P25 — clearer days
0%
Median cloud cover
0%
P75 — cloudier days
4%
Source: ERA5 (ECMWF), 10-year average at the eclipse hour.
Other eclipses seen from Rota
- Last total eclipseDecember 22, 1870156 years ago
- Last annular eclipseApril 1, 1764262 years ago
- Next total eclipseJuly 17, 2205
- Next annular eclipseJuly 13, 2075
Solar eclipses computed from astronomical ephemerides for the city's coordinates.
Frequently asked questions about the eclipse in Rota
Will the eclipse of August 12, 2026 be visible from Rota?
Geometrically yes (93% obscuration) but the local terrain blocks the Sun before the eclipse ends from Rota.
What time is the eclipse maximum in Rota?
Maximum occurs at 20:38 local time (18:38 UTC) in Rota.
Which direction to look to watch the eclipse from Rota?
Look WNW (azimuth 283°); the Sun will be 7° above the horizon at maximum from Rota.
Is Rota a good place to watch the eclipse?
Rota is not the best choice: local terrain blocks the Sun before the eclipse ends. Consider a nearby viewpoint with a clear horizon.
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 Andalusia →Embed this eclipse on your site
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