Annular 'Ring of Fire' Solar Eclipse to Cross Antarctica on Feb. 17, 2026 (ET)
Skywatchers should mark Feb. 17, 2026 (ET) on their calendars: an annular solar eclipse will transform the sun into a dramatic "ring of fire" as the moon passes between Earth and the sun. The full annular phase will be narrow and remote, but large swaths of the Southern Hemisphere will see a partial event.
Where the eclipse will be visible
Only a very small region of Antarctica lies inside the path of annularity — the zone where the moon will appear slightly smaller than the sun and leave a bright outer ring at maximum eclipse. That corridor stretches roughly 2, 661 miles long and about 383 miles wide (approximately 4, 282 by 616 kilometers). Observers located inside this ribbon will witness the full "ring of fire, " with the greatest annularity lasting up to 2 minutes and 20 seconds at the point of maximum eclipse.
Outside the narrow annular path, a wide swath of Antarctica will experience a partial solar eclipse. Parts of southern Africa and the southernmost tip of South America will also see the moon take a noticeable bite out of the sun, though viewers in those regions will not see the complete ring.
What to expect and how to observe safely
An annular eclipse differs from a total eclipse because the moon is slightly farther from Earth in its orbit and appears smaller in the sky. That size difference prevents the moon from completely covering the solar disk and leaves a glowing ring of sunlight at maximum. Even where the sun is mostly obscured, daylight does not turn dark in the same way it does during a total eclipse; the characteristic ring remains intensely bright.
Safety is paramount. Never look directly at the sun without proper protection. To view any phase of this eclipse safely, observers must use certified solar eclipse glasses or viewers that meet international safety standards. Cameras, binoculars, and telescopes require dedicated solar filters mounted over the front of the optics at all times; improvised or makeshift filters can fail and cause permanent eye damage. The same precautions apply whether you are watching an annular or a partial eclipse.
For photographers and amateur astronomers planning to capture the event, test your solar filters and camera settings well before eclipse day and have spares on hand. If you are traveling to polar regions, prepare for extreme weather and limited emergency support. Local logistics, transport, and safety conditions can be challenging in Antarctic environments; only experienced expedition teams should attempt to reach the annularity path.
What comes next
For those who miss the Feb. 17 event or prefer a more accessible display, a total solar eclipse will occur later in 2026 on Aug. 12, 2026 (ET). That total eclipse's path will cross parts of Greenland and Iceland and clip northern Spain, with a broader partial eclipse visible across much of Europe and portions of Africa. Additionally, skywatchers in several regions can look forward to a total lunar eclipse on March 3, 2026 (ET), when the moon will pass through Earth's shadow and take on a reddish hue; that lunar eclipse will be visible across North America, Australia, New Zealand, East Asia and much of the Pacific.
Annular eclipses like the Feb. 17 event are reminders of the dynamic geometry of the Earth–Moon–Sun system and a chance to safely engage people with astronomy. If you plan to observe, prioritize protective equipment, plan logistics carefully, and allow time to acclimate to the weather and daylight conditions in southern latitudes.
