Where to look: the Sun's position during the eclipse in Ceuta
From Ceuta, at maximum eclipse the Sun will sit about 38° above the horizon at an azimuth of roughly 95° — east-southeast. Comfortably high and unobstructed: one of the best possible geometries, and it simplifies choosing a spot enormously.
Published 17 August 2026
"Altitude" is how many degrees above the horizon the Sun sits: 0° is the horizon, 90° the zenith. "Azimuth" is the compass direction, counted from north towards east: 90° is due east, 180° south. Those two numbers tell you exactly where to point, no map required.
Why this geometry is good news
Many eclipses happen with a low Sun, and then finding a clean horizon in exactly the right direction becomes half the problem: one hill, one apartment block or a band of haze on the horizon can ruin the view. With the Sun at 38° that disappears. As long as you are not standing in a courtyard — a wide street, a beach, a viewpoint or almost any rooftop will do.
It also means haze is not an issue. The thickness of atmosphere sunlight crosses at that altitude is far less than near the horizon, so the corona will show more contrast and photographs will come out cleaner.
What a high Sun does change
- Shade. A high Sun means little natural shade during the long wait. It is the most underestimated factor in August: bring shade or pick a spot that has some.
- Framing. At that altitude the Sun will not fit in the same frame as the landscape without a very generous wide angle. If you want 'eclipse over the walls', plan a vertical composition or accept two separate photographs.
- Your neck. Four minutes with your head tilted 38° up is less comfortable than it sounds. A lounger or a mat on the ground earns its place.
How to check it yourself, without an app
East-southeast: what lies that way
From Ceuta, east-southeast points out over the Mediterranean, above the Almina peninsula if you are in the western part of the city. Which means most spots in town have that direction clear, and anyone on the southern coast will have the Sun directly over the sea. None of it is limiting at 38° of altitude, but it is worth knowing if you are after a particular composition.
And remember the asymmetry of the day: the Sun is east-southeast, but the shadow arrives from the west. Two opposite directions, and both deserve attention in the minute before totality.
Frequently asked questions
How high will the Sun be during the eclipse in Ceuta?
About 38.4° above the horizon at the instant of maximum, at an azimuth of 95° (east-southeast). That is a comfortable altitude: virtually no urban or natural obstacle gets in the way.
Which way do I have to look to see the eclipse?
East-southeast and at middling height, around 38° above the horizon. In the minute before totality it is also worth looking west: that is where the Moon's shadow arrives from.
Can I rehearse the position before eclipse day?
Yes, and it is the most useful thing you can do. In early August of any year, at the time of maximum (10:47), the Sun sits in practically the same place in the sky. Go to your chosen spot on that date and check.
The illustrations are our own, and any figures shown in them come from the same Besselian computation as the tables elsewhere on the site. Sources and method