Salamanca
40.969°, -5.664° · 815 m a.s.l.
Visible
Partial eclipse · 99.7% obscuration
The Sun clears local terrain by 8.06° at peak.
75/100Very good
99.7%
Partial eclipse · 99.7% obscuration
See the eclipse from Salamanca minute by minute
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Photo: Santiagova · CC BY-SA 3.0 es · Wikimedia Commons
About Salamanca
Salamanca is the capital of its namesake province in Castile and León, with approximately 144,800 inhabitants. It sits on the western Iberian plateau at 815 metres elevation, on the banks of the Tormes river. Its University, founded in the 13th century, makes the city a key cultural and academic reference point in the interior of the peninsula. The urban landscape alternates between grand monumental plazas and residential neighbourhoods that extend towards the cereal plains of the province.
For this eclipse
On 12 August 2026, Salamanca will experience a partial solar eclipse. At maximum coverage, at 20:31 local time, the Sun will be 9° above the horizon with a margin of 8.1° relative to the terrain, ensuring unobstructed visibility. Totality will not be reached, but the fraction of the Sun covered by the Moon will produce a noticeable decrease in ambient light.
The weather in August
August in Salamanca is characterised by average temperatures of 22.4 °C, with highs around 30.6 °C and night-time lows of 14.2 °C, according to AEMET data from 1991–2020. The average precipitation for the month is 10.3 mm, concentrated mainly as showers or moderate-risk storms. It is advisable to check the forecast for the days before the eclipse and position your observation point on a spot with a clear western horizon.
Past eclipses
The last annular eclipse visible from Salamanca occurred on 3 October 2005, just over twenty years ago, with 90.2 % coverage and an annular phase of approximately 233 seconds. No recent total eclipse is on record for this latitude. Following the eclipses of 2026 and 2028, the next annular eclipse over Salamanca will not occur until 27 February 2082.
Direction and altitude of the Sun
At maximum eclipse phase, the Sun will be positioned to the west-southwest, with an azimuth of 282°, virtually in the opposite direction from east. Its altitude above the horizon will be 9°, equivalent to just over a hand's width at arm's length. It is advisable to find a location with a clear western horizon to avoid missing the phenomenon in the minutes before sunset.
Editorial text by eclipses.app · Data: Wikidata, AEMET, NASA and astronomy-engine.
Eclipse schedule in Salamanca
| Phase | UTC | Local time | Sun alt. | Sun az. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C1 — Partial begins | 17:35 UTC | 19:35 | +19.4° | 273.0° |
| Maximum | 18:31 UTC | 20:31 | +9.0° | 281.9° |
| C4 — Partial ends | 19:24 UTC | 21:24 | -0.1° | 290.4° |
Sun direction and altitude at C4
Look toward WNW (290.4°)
Azimuth at C4
290.4° WNW
Sun altitude at C4
-0.08°
Terrain horizon
0.91°
Sun−terrain margin
+8.06°
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 Salamanca
| Peak | Elevation | Distance | Azimuth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Altos de la Calera | 989 m | 16.0 km | 160° SSE |
| Alto de las Mesonas | 941 m | 15.5 km | 199° SSW |
| Alto de los Montalvos | 938 m | 7.2 km | 236° SW |
| Cerro del Molar | 912 m | 16.4 km | 138° SE |
| Arapil Grande | 904 m | 9.5 km | 159° SSE |
| Teso de la Cabaña | 898 m | 10.0 km | 169° S |
| Arapil Chico | 892 m | 8.6 km | 159° SSE |
| Teso del Judío | 883 m | 10.3 km | 164° SSE |
Weather in Salamanca in August
Avg. temp.
22.4°C
Max / min
30.6° / 14.2°
Precipitation
10.3 mm
Storm risk
Medium
Station SALAMANCA, 1 km away · Period 1991-2020 · Source: AEMET
Historical cloud cover
P25 — clearer days
0%
Median cloud cover
15%
P75 — cloudier days
46%
Source: ERA5 (ECMWF), 10-year average at the eclipse hour.
Other eclipses seen from Salamanca
- Last annular eclipseOctober 3, 200521 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 Salamanca
Will the eclipse of August 12, 2026 be visible from Salamanca?
Yes, partial eclipse: the Sun will be 99.7% covered at maximum from Salamanca.
What time is the eclipse maximum in Salamanca?
Maximum occurs at 20:31 local time (18:31 UTC) in Salamanca.
Which direction to look to watch the eclipse from Salamanca?
Look WNW (azimuth 282°); the Sun will be 9° above the horizon at maximum from Salamanca.
Is Salamanca a good place to watch the eclipse?
Yes, Salamanca 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 Castile and León →Where to stay in Salamanca
For the August 12 eclipse. Recommended stay: Aug 10–14, 2026.
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