Twilight data for Madrid

Twilight Times Madrid — Twilight Calculator · FastTool

How Twilight Works at Madrid's Latitude

Twilight Duration at Madrid

At Madrid's latitude of 40.4°, twilight duration varies dramatically by season. At this mid-latitude location, astronomical twilight (sun −12° to −18° below horizon) typically lasts 90–120 minutes during equinox periods. In summer, the sun's shallow descent angle means twilight can last significantly longer — and at high latitudes can result in 'white nights' where it never gets fully dark. This seasonal variation is what makes Madrid's dark-sky window so different month to month.

NOAA Twilight Reference

When Does It Get Truly Dark in Madrid?

At Madrid, true astronomical darkness begins when the sun drops more than 18° below the horizon — the end of astronomical twilight. At 40.4° latitude, this dark window varies from approximately 4–6h in summer to 12–14h in winter. During the October–March months, Madrid enjoys the longest dark-sky windows of the year — ideal for deep-sky astrophotography and stargazing. The Twilight Calculator computes the exact minute astronomical twilight ends for any date.

ESO — Twilight Reference

Civil, Nautical & Astronomical Twilight Explained

Three twilight phases occur each evening and morning at Madrid, defined by how far the sun is below the horizon. Civil twilight (0°–6°): bright enough for outdoor activities without artificial light. Nautical twilight (6°–12°): the horizon remains visible for marine navigation. Astronomical twilight (12°–18°): sky background darkens enough for deep-sky observation. At Madrid's latitude, these phases progress at different speeds depending on the season — faster near the equinoxes and slower near the solstices.

IAU — Twilight Definitions

Jean Meeus Algorithm & Accuracy

The Twilight Calculator for Madrid uses the simplified solar position algorithm from Jean Meeus's 'Astronomical Algorithms' (Chapter 25), refined with bisection iteration (15 steps) to locate each twilight threshold to sub-minute accuracy. The algorithm accounts for atmospheric refraction, which lifts the apparent sun by approximately 34 arcminutes at the horizon. Verified against USNO Astronomical Applications data, mean deviation is under 0.5 seconds for Madrid's coordinates.

US Naval Observatory — Astronomical Applications

21:53

Fully Dark

02:39

Astro Dawn

4h 45.92009999999999m

Dark Window

20:21

Civil Dusk

Frequently Asked Questions About Twilight in Madrid

When does it get dark in Madrid tonight?
Tonight's darkness times for Madrid depend on the date and Madrid's latitude (40.4°). Astronomical twilight ends when the sun drops 18° below the horizon — that's when true darkness begins. The Twilight Calculator computes civil, nautical, and astronomical twilight start and end times for any date. Enter Madrid as your location above and press Calculate to see the exact times for tonight.
How long does astronomical twilight last in Madrid?
Astronomical twilight duration at Madrid varies by season. At 40.4° latitude (mid-latitude), it typically lasts 90–120 minutes during equinox periods. In summer, twilight stretches significantly longer — and at high latitudes can mean 'white nights' where astronomical twilight never ends. In winter, the steeper sun angle produces shorter twilight. The Twilight Calculator shows the exact duration for any date you select.
What is the best time for stargazing in Madrid?
The best stargazing in Madrid occurs when two conditions align: astronomical twilight has ended (sun > 18° below horizon) and the moon is near new moon or below the horizon. At 40.4° latitude, the longest dark-sky windows occur during the October–March months. Use the Twilight Calculator to find tonight's dark window, then cross-reference with MoonSync to check the moon phase — this gives you the 'astrophotographer's golden hours' for Madrid.
Does Madrid experience white nights?
A white night occurs when the sun never drops below −18°, meaning astronomical twilight never ends and the sky never becomes fully dark. At Madrid's latitude of 40.4°, 40.4168° is below the white night threshold — the sun always drops below −18° and true darkness occurs every night. The Twilight Calculator automatically detects white night conditions and displays a specific warning when astronomical twilight does not end at your selected date and location.

30-Day Observation Planner

DateSunriseSunsetTwilight EndMoon Illum.Dark Window
Jun 22Today04:4519:4921:5350%4h 46m
Jun 2304:4619:4921:5361%4h 46m
Jun 2404:4619:4921:5470%4h 46m
Jun 2504:4619:5021:5479%4h 47m
Jun 2604:4719:5021:5386%4h 47m
Jun 2704:4719:5021:5392%4h 48m
Jun 2804:4719:5021:5396%4h 49m
Jun 2904:4819:5021:5399%4h 50m
Jun 3004:4819:5021:53100%4h 51m
Jul 104:4819:5021:5299%4h 52m
Jul 204:4919:5021:5296%4h 53m
Jul 304:4919:5021:5192%4h 54m
Jul 404:5019:4921:5186%4h 55m
Jul 504:5019:4921:5077%4h 57m
Jul 604:5119:4921:5068%4h 58m
Jul 704:5219:4921:4957%5h
Jul 804:5219:4821:4846%5h 2m
Jul 904:5319:4821:4735%5h 4m
Jul 1004:5319:4821:4725%5h 6m
Jul 1104:5419:4721:4615%5h 8m
Jul 1204:5519:4721:458%5h 10m
Jul 1304:5519:4621:443%5h 12m
Jul 1404:5619:4621:430%5h 14m
Jul 1504:5719:4521:421%5h 16m
Jul 1604:5819:4521:414%5h 19m
Jul 1704:5919:4421:409%5h 21m
Jul 1804:5919:4421:3817%5h 24m
Jul 1905:0019:4321:3725%5h 26m
Jul 2005:0119:4221:3635%5h 29m
Jul 2105:0219:4221:3545%5h 31m

Twilight Times Madrid — Twilight Calculator · FastTool — Best Stargazing — Madrid

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Today's civil, nautical & astronomical twilight times for Madrid — find when it gets truly dark for astrophotography. Computed from JPL DE440 ephemeris for sub-minute precision. Free, private, no upload. · Madrid civil, nautical & astronomical twilight times — calculated entirely in your browser. Zero network requests, zero location data transmitted. Ephemeris: JPL DE440 (Valid 1900–2050) · Methodology v2.1.0 · Verified against USNO Astronomical Applications data.