Valdepeñas
38.762°, -3.385° · 714 m a.s.l.
Visible
Partial eclipse · 98% obscuration
The Sun clears local terrain by 6.43° at peak.
75/100Very good
98%
Partial eclipse · 98% obscuration
See the eclipse from Valdepeñas minute by minute
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Photo: Miguel Angel Masegosa Martínez · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
About Valdepeñas
Valdepeñas is a municipality located in the south of Ciudad Real province, within the autonomous community of Castile-La Mancha, at 714 metres above sea level. It is home to roughly 31,000 residents and occupies a central position in the region that bears its name. The vast, flat La Mancha plain surrounding it offers unobstructed views in virtually every direction, which favours open-air astronomical observation.
For this eclipse
On 12 August 2026, Valdepeñas will experience a partial solar eclipse. The Sun will reach maximum obscuration at 20:34, local time, when it will be 6.2° above the horizon, with a clearance of 6.4° from the terrain. The flat topography of the area ensures good visibility towards the west-northwest, the exact direction of the Sun at that moment. It is advisable to seek an unobstructed location and use approved solar filters.
The weather in August
AEMET weather records for the period 1991–2020 show that the risk of thunderstorms in August is low in Valdepeñas. This is favourable for eclipse observation, since storms are the main weather threat in summer afternoons across the Southern Plateau. To plan your observation safely, it is recommended to check the specific weather forecast for 12 August in the days leading up to the event.
Past eclipses
The last total solar eclipse visible from Valdepeñas occurred on 10 July 1600, 426 years ago. Totality lasted just over two minutes on that occasion. Since then, no annular eclipse has crossed the city. The next notable occasion will arrive on 13 July 2075, when an annular eclipse will cover 87.3% of the solar disc as seen from this latitude, with a central phase lasting three and a half minutes.
Direction and altitude of the Sun
At the moment of maximum eclipse, at 20:34 on 12 August 2026, the Sun will be positioned at 284° azimuth, almost due west-northwest, and 6.2° above the horizon line. The clearance of 6.4° from the surrounding terrain ensures that observation will not be obstructed across the flat plain. It is advisable to position yourself in an unobstructed spot, with no buildings or vegetation to the west, for an unimpeded view of the phenomenon.
Editorial text by eclipses.app · Data: Wikidata, AEMET, NASA and astronomy-engine.
Eclipse schedule in Valdepeñas
| Phase | UTC | Local time | Sun alt. | Sun az. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C1 — Partial begins | 17:39 UTC | 19:39 | +16.8° | 275.8° |
| Maximum | 18:34 UTC | 20:34 | +6.2° | 284.1° |
| C4 — Partial ends | 19:26 UTC | 21:26 | -2.8° | 292.1° |
Sun direction and altitude at C4
Look toward WNW (292.1°)
Azimuth at C4
292.1° WNW
Sun altitude at C4
-2.85°
Terrain horizon
-0.18°
Sun−terrain margin
+6.43°
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 Valdepeñas
| Peak | Elevation | Distance | Azimuth |
|---|---|---|---|
| El Serijo | 1011 m | 17.7 km | 60° ENE |
| Calderera | 955 m | 22.0 km | 195° SSW |
| Cerro de la Piedra del Agua | 953 m | 16.8 km | 61° ENE |
| Cerro del Esparragal | 948 m | 22.0 km | 190° S |
| Cerro Moro | 935 m | 23.3 km | 188° S |
| Cerro de las Virtudes | 933 m | 21.7 km | 192° SSW |
| Cerro PrietoIn the Sun's direction | 927 m | 13.4 km | 302° WNW |
| Cerro de las Cuevas | 918 m | 22.5 km | 187° S |
Weather in Valdepeñas in August
Historical cloud cover
P25 — clearer days
0%
Median cloud cover
3%
P75 — cloudier days
17%
Source: ERA5 (ECMWF), 10-year average at the eclipse hour.
Other eclipses seen from Valdepeñas
- Last total eclipseJuly 10, 1600426 years ago
- Next annular eclipseJuly 13, 2075
Solar eclipses computed from astronomical ephemerides for the city's coordinates.
Frequently asked questions about the eclipse in Valdepeñas
Will the eclipse of August 12, 2026 be visible from Valdepeñas?
Yes, partial eclipse: the Sun will be 98% covered at maximum from Valdepeñas.
What time is the eclipse maximum in Valdepeñas?
Maximum occurs at 20:34 local time (18:34 UTC) in Valdepeñas.
Which direction to look to watch the eclipse from Valdepeñas?
Look WNW (azimuth 284°); the Sun will be 6° above the horizon at maximum from Valdepeñas.
Is Valdepeñas a good place to watch the eclipse?
Yes, Valdepeñas 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 Castilla-La Mancha →Where to stay in Valdepeñas
For the August 12 eclipse. Recommended stay: Aug 10–14, 2026.
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