Irun
43.339°, -1.789° · 23 m a.s.l.
Visible
Partial eclipse · 99.6% obscuration
The Sun clears local terrain by 6.81° at peak.
60/100Good
99.6%
Partial eclipse · 99.6% obscuration
See the eclipse from Irun minute by minute
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Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Angelyoldi assumed (based on copyright claims). · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
About Irun
Irun is a municipality in the Basque Country located at the far eastern edge of Gipuzkoa, on the border with France, on the banks of the Bidasoa River. With almost 62,000 inhabitants and an altitude of 23 metres above sea level, it is one of the main cross-border gateways of the Iberian Peninsula. Founded in 1776, the city combines its industrial and commercial character with a unique geographic position at the limit between two countries.
For this eclipse
On 12 August 2026, Irun will experience a partial solar eclipse. Maximum obscuration will occur at 20:26, with the Sun at 7.5 degrees above the horizon and a clear margin of 6.6 degrees: visibility is assured from unobstructed points to the west-northwest. Since the Sun will be low in the late afternoon, it is advisable to choose a clear location in that direction to take advantage of the phenomenon without buildings or hills blocking it.
The weather in August
August in Irun is characterised by low storm risk, which favours outdoor observations. Proximity to the Cantabrian Sea brings humidity and moderate temperatures typical of the Atlantic climate, without the heat extremes of the interior peninsula. Data from the reference AEMET station (1012P, period 1991–2020) confirm this trend of atmospheric stability in summer, with few episodes of persistent cloud cover in August.
Past eclipses
The last annular eclipse visible from Irun occurred on 1 April 1764, approximately 262 years ago, with an obscuration of 86.9 % and an annular phase of just over five minutes. Since then, no total eclipse has crossed the city. The next annular eclipse to be seen from here will occur on 27 February 2082, with an obscuration of 84.5 % and an annular duration of just over six minutes.
Direction and altitude of the Sun
At maximum eclipse, the Sun will be at 7.5 degrees above the horizon, pointing towards the west-northwest with an azimuth of 283 degrees. It is a low but sufficient position for comfortable observation from a flat or elevated point without obstructions in that direction. The Basque afternoon in August prolongs daylight, and at 20:26 the Sun will be clearly above the sea horizon line.
Editorial text by eclipses.app · Data: Wikidata, AEMET, NASA and astronomy-engine.
Eclipse schedule in Irun
| Phase | UTC | Local time | Sun alt. | Sun az. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C1 — Partial begins | 17:31 UTC | 19:31 | +17.5° | 274.1° |
| Maximum | 18:27 UTC | 20:27 | +7.5° | 283.4° |
| C4 — Partial ends | 19:19 UTC | 21:19 | -1.0° | 292.2° |
Sun direction and altitude at C4
Look toward WNW (292.2°)
Azimuth at C4
292.2° WNW
Sun altitude at C4
-0.96°
Terrain horizon
0.74°
Sun−terrain margin
+6.81°
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 Irun
| Peak | Elevation | Distance | Azimuth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mendaur | 1130.6 m | 21.2 km | 164° SSE |
| Mendieder | 1071 m | 20.3 km | 166° SSE |
| Eztenarri | 1057.66 m | 21.3 km | 165° SSE |
| Urepel | 1056.69 m | 24.6 km | 202° SSW |
| Arainburu | 1054 m | 19.9 km | 176° S |
| Loitzate | 1048 m | 20.3 km | 179° S |
| Ekaitza | 1046 m | 20.6 km | 172° S |
| Mandoegi | 1046 m | 23.6 km | 204° SSW |
Weather in Irun in August
Historical cloud cover
P25 — clearer days
100%
Median cloud cover
100%
P75 — cloudier days
100%
Source: ERA5 (ECMWF), 10-year average at the eclipse hour.
Other eclipses seen from Irun
- Last annular eclipseApril 1, 1764262 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 Irun
Will the eclipse of August 12, 2026 be visible from Irun?
Yes, partial eclipse: the Sun will be 99.6% covered at maximum from Irun.
What time is the eclipse maximum in Irun?
Maximum occurs at 20:27 local time (18:27 UTC) in Irun.
Which direction to look to watch the eclipse from Irun?
Look WNW (azimuth 283°); the Sun will be 8° above the horizon at maximum from Irun.
Is Irun a good place to watch the eclipse?
Irun is a good option (score 60/100): all eclipse phases are visible, though not the regional optimum.
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 Basque Country →Where to stay in Irun
For the August 12 eclipse. Recommended stay: Aug 10–14, 2026.
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<iframe src="https://eclipses.app/embed/widget?lat=43.3390&lon=-1.7894&size=standard&theme=dark&locale=en" width="320" height="340" frameborder="0" loading="lazy" title="Eclipse 2026"></iframe>Share it to help others find out if they'll see the eclipse