What time was the annular solar eclipse on Feb. 17? How solar eclipses played out during the 'ring of fire' event
On Feb. 17, 2026 (ET) an annular solar eclipse — the dramatic "ring of fire" — crossed a narrow corridor of Antarctica and concluded after a brief maximum phase. Observers within the path of annularity saw the moon block most of the sun, leaving a bright ring; other viewers across parts of southern Africa, southernmost South America and the rest of Antarctica experienced a partial eclipse.
Where the annular eclipse was visible and how long it lasted
Only a very small region of Antarctica fell inside the path of annularity. That corridor stretched roughly 2, 661 miles long and about 383 miles wide (approximately 4, 282 by 616 kilometers). At greatest eclipse the moon covered about 96% of the sun's disk, producing the characteristic annulus — a thin outer ring of sunlight — for up to 2 minutes and 20 seconds at the point of maximum coverage.
Outside that slim corridor, skywatchers saw a partial solar eclipse. Large swaths of Antarctica observed the sun partially obscured, while parts of southern Africa and the southern tip of South America also had partial views. Because the annular path was so remote, few populated regions experienced the full "ring of fire".
What the "ring of fire" means and why it happens
An annular solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes directly between Earth and the sun but is near apogee, its farthest point from Earth. The moon appears slightly smaller than the sun's disk and cannot cover it completely, so a bright ring of sunlight remains visible around the moon at maximum eclipse. That visual is what gives this event the popular nickname "ring of fire. "
The specific geometry for this event left the moon covering roughly 96% of the sun at peak alignment. The annular phase is typically shorter than the longest possible total-eclipse durations; for this event the peak lasted no more than a couple of minutes at best locations within the path.
Safety reminders and what’s next for skywatchers
Observers must never look directly at the sun without proper protection. Whether viewers experienced a partial eclipse or the annular phase, the risk to eyes is the same. Solar eclipse glasses that meet international safety standards are required for direct viewing at all times. Cameras, binoculars and telescopes must use certified solar filters placed over the front of the optics, not at the eyepiece, to avoid permanent eye or equipment damage.
For those tracking future events, the next major solar eclipse after Feb. 17 is a total solar eclipse on Aug. 12, 2026 (ET), with totality crossing parts of Greenland, Iceland and northern Spain and a partial eclipse seen across wider areas of Europe and Africa. A total lunar eclipse is also on the calendar for March 3, 2026 (ET), offering a blood-red moon for observers across North America, Australia, New Zealand, East Asia and the Pacific.
Observers planning trips to view upcoming eclipses should prepare well in advance: verify local visibility, bring certified solar-viewing gear, and keep in mind that prime viewing corridors can be remote or weather-dependent. When high-contrast celestial events line up, safety and planning make the difference between a memorable sighting and a missed opportunity.
