What time is the annular solar eclipse on Feb. 17? Here's when and where to watch
Skywatchers will be treated to an annular solar eclipse—a dramatic "ring of fire"—on Tuesday, Feb. 17. The first glimpses begin early in the morning Eastern Time, but the spectacular annular phase will be visible only from a small slice of Antarctica. Observers across parts of the Southern Hemisphere will see a partial eclipse.
When and where to see the eclipse
First sightings of the event begin at 6: 42 a. m. ET on Feb. 17. The annular phase, when the moon leaves a bright outer ring of the sun visible, will last up to about 2 minutes and 20 seconds at the point of greatest eclipse. That full "ring of fire" will be confined to a narrow corridor crossing only a very small region of Antarctica. That corridor stretches roughly 2, 661 miles long and about 383 miles wide (roughly 4, 282 by 616 kilometers), where the moon will cover roughly 96% of the sun's disk.
Outside that path of annularity, many locations in Antarctica and portions of southern Africa and the southernmost parts of South America will experience a partial solar eclipse. Observers in those regions will see the sun with a noticeable bite taken out of it rather than the complete ring. For most of the Northern Hemisphere the event will not be visible.
How the annular eclipse works and safety essentials
An annular solar eclipse occurs when the moon moves directly between Earth and the sun but is near apogee—its farthest point from Earth—so it appears slightly smaller than the sun. That size difference prevents complete coverage; the moon's silhouette produces the striking bright ring known as the "ring of fire. " The visual spectacle is shorter and different from a total solar eclipse, where the sun is entirely obscured and daytime darkness briefly falls along the path of totality.
Never look directly at the sun without proper protection. Even during an annular or partial eclipse the exposed parts of the solar disk can cause permanent eye damage. Observers must wear certified solar eclipse glasses that meet international safety standards, or use telescopes, binoculars, and cameras only with specially rated solar filters placed over the objective lens. Pinhole projectors and simple projection techniques also provide safe and effective ways to watch the event indirectly.
Standard sunglasses are not safe for eclipse viewing. Treat all phases of the annular and partial eclipse with the same caution: eyes, cameras and optics require approved filters at all times when pointed at the sun.
Beyond Feb. 17: what comes next
For those unable to travel to Antarctica, there are other notable eclipses coming up in the next year. A total solar eclipse will cross parts of Greenland, Iceland and northern Spain on Aug. 12, 2026, producing a classic totality experience for observers along its path, with broader partial views across Europe and Africa. Meanwhile, skywatchers can look forward to a total lunar eclipse on March 3, 2026, when the moon will appear reddish during totality for viewers across North America, Australia, New Zealand, East Asia and the Pacific.
This Feb. 17 event is a reminder of how varied eclipse geometry can be: whether you chase a slender Antarctic annulus or watch a partial dip from home, eclipses offer a dramatic view of celestial mechanics in action. Plan carefully, respect safety guidelines, and consider joining local astronomy groups or observatories for guided viewing opportunities where available.
