Níjar
36.967°, -2.206° · 367 m a.s.l.
Hidden by terrain
Partial eclipse · 96% obscuration
Local terrain rises 9.55° above the Sun at peak.
45/100Marginal
96%
Partial eclipse · 96% obscuration
See the eclipse from Níjar minute by minute
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Photo: Feranza · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
About Níjar
Níjar is a municipality in Almería province, in Andalusia, located at 367 metres above sea level. With just over 26,500 inhabitants, it occupies an inland position in the Bajo Andarax region, close to the Cabo de Gata–Níjar Natural Park. The local economy has revolved around intensive agriculture and craftsmanship for decades, though tourism has gradually gained weight. The semi-arid climate of the area shapes much of the landscape and the way of life of its inhabitants.
For this eclipse
On 12 August 2026, Níjar will be within the zone of partial eclipse, but observation presents a serious difficulty: at maximum, at 20:36 local time, the Sun will be only 4.5° above the horizon. The local topographic horizon exceeds that elevation by 9.3°, so the solar disc will be completely hidden behind the surrounding relief. To see the eclipse, you will need to find a high vantage point with an open horizon to the west.
The weather in August
August in Níjar is hot and very dry. According to AEMET records from the 1991–2020 period, the average monthly temperature is around 27.2 °C, with typical highs of 31 °C and lows that rarely drop below 23 °C. August's average precipitation is just 2.3 mm, and the month accumulates over 328 hours of sunshine. The probability of clear skies reaches 79%, and the risk of thunderstorms is low: favourable conditions for astronomical observation if the horizon permits.
Past eclipses
The last total eclipse to cross Níjar occurred on 12 May 1706, 320 years ago, with a totality duration of three minutes and sixteen seconds. Since then, the city has remained outside the path of totality. After the 2028 eclipse, the next significant event will be an annular eclipse on 13 July 2075. We will have to wait until 20 June 2327 for totality to cover this area again.
Direction and altitude of the Sun
At the moment of maximum eclipse on 12 August 2026 at 20:36 local time, the Sun will be at 4.5° altitude above the geometric horizon, with an azimuth of 285°: a direction equivalent to west-northwest. It is a very low angle, barely perceptible above an unobstructed horizon line. The surrounding relief, which exceeds that height by almost 10 degrees, explains why the solar disc will not be visible from Níjar's urban centre.
Editorial text by eclipses.app · Data: Wikidata, AEMET, NASA and astronomy-engine.
Eclipse schedule in Níjar
| Phase | UTC | Local time | Sun alt. | Sun az. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C1 — Partial begins | 17:42 UTC | 19:42 | +15.0° | 277.4° |
| Maximum | 18:37 UTC | 20:37 | +4.5° | 285.3° |
| C4 — Partial ends | 19:28 UTC | 21:28 | -4.7° | 293.0° |
Sun direction and altitude at C4
Look toward WNW (293.0°)
Azimuth at C4
293.0° WNW
Sun altitude at C4
-4.75°
Terrain horizon
14.03°
Sun−terrain margin
-9.55°
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 Níjar
| Peak | Elevation | Distance | Azimuth |
|---|---|---|---|
| ColativíIn the Sun's direction | 1387 m | 9.1 km | 291° WNW |
| Cerro del ViveroIn the Sun's direction | 1329 m | 14.9 km | 279° W |
| PuntalIn the Sun's direction | 1287 m | 16.0 km | 279° W |
| MinaIn the Sun's direction | 1216 m | 5.4 km | 304° WNW |
| Cerro del Oro | 1193 m | 17.1 km | 277° W |
| Cerro Maciscuela | 1112 m | 8.6 km | 310° NW |
| Peñón de Turrillas | 1093 m | 8.2 km | 322° NW |
| Cerro del Minuto | 1091 m | 8.0 km | 322° NW |
Weather in Níjar in August
Avg. temp.
27.2°C
Max / min
31.2° / 23.1°
Precipitation
2.3 mm
Storm risk
Low
Station ALMERÍA AEROPUERTO, 19 km away · Period 1991-2020 · Source: AEMET
Historical cloud cover
P25 — clearer days
0%
Median cloud cover
4%
P75 — cloudier days
7%
Source: ERA5 (ECMWF), 10-year average at the eclipse hour.
Other eclipses seen from Níjar
- Last total eclipseMay 12, 1706320 years ago
- Next total eclipseJune 20, 2327
- Next annular eclipseJuly 13, 2075
Solar eclipses computed from astronomical ephemerides for the city's coordinates.
Frequently asked questions about the eclipse in Níjar
Will the eclipse of August 12, 2026 be visible from Níjar?
Geometrically yes (96% obscuration) but the local terrain blocks the Sun before the eclipse ends from Níjar.
What time is the eclipse maximum in Níjar?
Maximum occurs at 20:37 local time (18:37 UTC) in Níjar.
Which direction to look to watch the eclipse from Níjar?
Look WNW (azimuth 285°); the Sun will be 4° above the horizon at maximum from Níjar.
Is Níjar a good place to watch the eclipse?
Níjar is not the best choice: local terrain blocks the Sun before the eclipse ends. Consider a nearby viewpoint with a clear horizon.
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
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