Ourense
42.337°, -7.864° · 146 m a.s.l.
Visible
Partial eclipse · 99.8% obscuration
The Sun clears local terrain by 8.38° at peak.
75/100Very good
99.8%
Partial eclipse · 99.8% obscuration
See the eclipse from Ourense minute by minute
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Photo: Victor Hermida Prada · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
About Ourense
Ourense is the capital of its namesake province, in inland Galicia, 146 metres above sea level. The city sits in the Miño valley, surrounded by hills and known for its thermal spring outcrops. With just over 105,000 inhabitants, it is the main urban centre in the province and serves as a hub for services across an extensive rural hinterland. Its inland position sets it apart climatically from the Galician coast.
For this eclipse
On 12 August 2026, Ourense will experience a partial solar eclipse with maximum occurring at 20:29 local time. At that moment the Sun will stand 11.2° above the horizon, with a clearance of 8.9° from the actual topographic horizon—a substantial margin that rules out visibility problems from the surrounding terrain. As a partial eclipse, the solar disc will be partly covered by the Moon, but totality will not be reached.
The weather in August
August in Ourense shows a low risk of thunderstorms according to historical AEMET records, which is favourable for eclipse observation. The city's inland location, away from direct maritime influence, contributes to more stable conditions than those found on the Galician Atlantic coast during summer.
Past eclipses
The last major eclipse recorded over Ourense was the annular eclipse of 3 October 2005, over twenty years ago, when the Moon covered approximately 90% of the solar disc for nearly four minutes. Before that event, no total eclipse is recorded in the available records for this location. After the eclipses of 2026, 2027 and 2028, the next significant annular eclipse will not occur until 27 February 2082, and the following total eclipse until 26 October 2144.
Direction and altitude of the Sun
At the time of maximum eclipse, at 20:29, the Sun will be positioned at an azimuth of 280°, that is, almost due west with a slight deviation towards west-northwest. Its altitude above the horizon will be 11.2°, sufficient for unobstructed observation from most points in Ourense with a clear view towards that sector of the sky.
Editorial text by eclipses.app · Data: Wikidata, AEMET, NASA and astronomy-engine.
Eclipse schedule in Ourense
| Phase | UTC | Local time | Sun alt. | Sun az. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C1 — Partial begins | 17:32 UTC | 19:32 | +21.6° | 270.6° |
| Maximum | 18:29 UTC | 20:29 | +11.2° | 280.0° |
| C4 — Partial ends | 19:23 UTC | 21:23 | +1.9° | 288.7° |
Sun direction and altitude at C4
Look toward WNW (288.7°)
Azimuth at C4
288.7° WNW
Sun altitude at C4
1.86°
Terrain horizon
2.80°
Sun−terrain margin
+8.38°
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 Ourense
| Peak | Elevation | Distance | Azimuth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meda | 1316.3 m | 20.9 km | 86° E |
| O Alto da Cabeza da Meda | 1314 m | 20.9 km | 86° E |
| Porto dos Carros | 1166 m | 18.8 km | 82° E |
| Cerro Martiniana | 1034 m | 20.9 km | 344° NNW |
| Pena Ventosa | 1014 m | 21.6 km | 347° NNW |
| Alto do Rodicio | 949.9 m | 22.6 km | 100° E |
| A Madanela | 937 m | 24.7 km | 322° NW |
| Penamá | 927 m | 19.9 km | 168° SSE |
Weather in Ourense in August
Historical cloud cover
P25 — clearer days
0%
Median cloud cover
2%
P75 — cloudier days
45%
Source: ERA5 (ECMWF), 10-year average at the eclipse hour.
Other eclipses seen from Ourense
- Last annular eclipseOctober 3, 200521 years ago
- Next total eclipseOctober 26, 2144
- Next annular eclipseFebruary 27, 2082
Solar eclipses computed from astronomical ephemerides for the city's coordinates.
Frequently asked questions about the eclipse in Ourense
Will the eclipse of August 12, 2026 be visible from Ourense?
Yes, partial eclipse: the Sun will be 99.8% covered at maximum from Ourense.
What time is the eclipse maximum in Ourense?
Maximum occurs at 20:29 local time (18:29 UTC) in Ourense.
Which direction to look to watch the eclipse from Ourense?
Look West (azimuth 280°); the Sun will be 11° above the horizon at maximum from Ourense.
Is Ourense a good place to watch the eclipse?
Yes, Ourense 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 Galicia →Where to stay in Ourense
For the August 12 eclipse. Recommended stay: Aug 10–14, 2026.
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