What time is the annular solar eclipse on Feb. 17? solar eclipses guide
An annular solar eclipse — the dramatic "ring of fire" — takes place on Feb. 17, 2026 (ET). While the phenomenon will be spectacular at peak, the full annular phase will be confined to a narrow corridor over Antarctica. Observers outside that corridor will see only a partial eclipse. Here’s what skywatchers need to know about where the ring will appear, how long it will last, and how to view it safely.
Where and when to see the annular eclipse
The annular phase on Feb. 17, 2026 will be visible only from a relatively small slice of Antarctica. That corridor of annularity stretches roughly 2, 661 miles long and about 383 miles wide (4, 282 by 616 kilometers). At the point of greatest eclipse, the moon will cover roughly 96% of the sun’s disk and the bright outer rim of the sun will form the familiar "ring of fire. " The annular phase will last as long as about 2 minutes and 20 seconds at greatest eclipse.
Outside that narrow path, much of Antarctica and parts of southern Africa and the southern tip of South America will experience a partial solar eclipse instead of full annularity. Local start, peak and end times vary by location; observers should check local eclipse timing in Eastern Time (ET) when converting from local predictions or planning travel. Weather and daylight conditions in Antarctica will be the deciding factors for visibility in most places along the path.
Why it’s a "ring of fire" and how to view it safely
An annular eclipse happens when the moon passes between Earth and the sun but is a bit too far from Earth to cover the sun completely. Because the moon appears slightly smaller in the sky at that distance, it leaves a thin outer ring of sunlight visible when alignment is closest — the classic "ring of fire. " That partial blockage still carries the same eye risks as any eclipse.
Never look directly at the sun without proper protection. To view any phase of this eclipse safely you must use certified solar filters at all times. Solar eclipse glasses designed for direct solar viewing should be worn whenever any part of the sun is visible. Cameras, binoculars and telescopes require solar filters mounted on the front of the optics; improvised filters or sunglasses are insufficient. Observing through unfiltered optics can cause immediate and permanent eye damage.
What to expect and what comes next
Because the annular path is remote and largely over Antarctica, only a small number of observers and scientific teams will be in position to view the ring directly. Most skywatchers in southern Africa and South America will witness a partial eclipse, which still offers a dramatic daylight dimming and crescent-sun projections if passing clouds and local conditions cooperate.
For those planning ahead, the next major solar event after Feb. 17, 2026 is a total solar eclipse on Aug. 12, 2026, which will cross parts of Greenland, Iceland and northern Spain, with a wider partial shadow across Europe and Africa. Additionally, a total lunar eclipse on March 3, 2026 will turn the moon a deep red and will be visible from North America, Australia, New Zealand, East Asia and across the Pacific.
Check local forecasts and eclipse timings expressed in Eastern Time (ET) when preparing for viewing, and prioritize eye safety at every stage. Even partial coverage of the sun presents a hazard if proper filters are not used.
