Annular Solar Eclipse February 17, 2026: When & Where to Watch the Stunning Ring of Fire Over Antarctica

Solar Eclipse 2026: On February 17, 2026, is witnessing a spectacular annular solar eclipse, the first of its kind this year, which will transform the Sun into a "ring of fire" for up to 2 minutes and 20 seconds. The unusual celestial event will cover a 2,661-mile arc across Antarctica while partial eclipses will also be seen in southern Africa and South America, casting a shadow over an area of 13 million square kilometers on Earth. People worldwide are witnessing this spectacle, but India will miss out on this live event.

What is an Annular Solar Eclipse?

An annular eclipse of the sun occurs when the Moon covers the central part of the sun but appears smaller. As a result, a bright ring of light, also known as the “ring of fire,” remains and every year, one to two of these eclipses take place somewhere on Earth. Only along a small corridor of a few hundred kilometers can people see an annular eclipse. Nearby, millions of people witness a partial eclipse.

What Time is Annular Solar Eclipse

It kicks off at 4:56 a.m. EST (9:56 UTC), peaks at 7:12 a.m. EST (12:12 UTC) with maximum annularity and wraps by 9:27 a.m. EST (14:27 UTC). In IST, that's roughly 3:26 p.m. start to 7:57 p.m. end.

Where will the February 17 Solar Eclipse be Visible?

The prime 2,661-mile-long path slices through Antarctica where 96% of the sun vanishes and partial phases grace southern Africa (Zimbabwe, Namibia, South Africa), southern South America (Argentina, Chile tips) and spots like Mauritius.

Will Solar Eclipse Visible in India

No, India lies completely outside the visibility path where as southern Hemisphere shadows dominate and Indian viewers can tune into NASA live streams instead.

How to Watch the 'Ring of Fire' Annular Solar Eclipse This Week

• Gear up safely: Certified solar eclipse glasses or filters mandatory and never bare eyes.
• Live streams: NASA, timeanddate.com, or The Virtual Telescope Project broadcast real-time.
• Apps/maps: Use Stellarium, SkySafari for simulations and check local weather.
• Photography: Solar filter on cameras/telescopes and wide-angle for partials.
• Community: Join online forums or observatories for shared feeds.

Astrological Significance of the February 17 Eclipse

Falling on Amavasya in Aquarius under Dhanishtha Nakshatra, Sun-Rahu conjunction stirs traditional unease while astrologers flag it as inauspicious for new ventures, urging caution amid Mercury-Venus-Moon alignments.

Solar Eclipse 2026

FAQ’s Solar Eclipse 2026

1. Is it safe to view bare-eyed?
   Absolutely not always use certified solar eclipse glasses to avoid permanent eye damage from intense sunlight.
2. Duration of ring of fire?
   Up to 2 minutes 20 seconds at peak annularity and right over Antarctica's narrow path.
3. Next eclipse after this?
   Total solar eclipse on August 12, 2026, visible from Greenland, Iceland and northern Spain.
4. Why annular not total?
   Moon's too far from Earth, appearing smaller and leaving a glowing ring around its edges.
5. India viewing options?
   No local view, catch NASA or timeanddate.com live streams online instead.