solar eclipse dates: Feb. 17 'ring of fire' over Antarctica and what comes next
On Feb. 17 ET, an annular solar eclipse — the dramatic "ring of fire" phenomenon — passed over a small slice of Antarctica, producing a brief but striking sight where the moon left a bright ring of sunlight around its dark silhouette. The annular phase lasted up to 2 minutes and 20 seconds at the point of greatest eclipse.
What unfolded on Feb. 17 (ET)
The moon moved directly between Earth and the sun while remaining slightly farther from Earth than at perigee. That geometry left the lunar disk too small to fully cover the sun, producing the characteristic thin outer ring of light known as an annulus. The most dramatic display occurred along a narrow corridor across Antarctica where the moon covered about 96% of the sun’s disk at maximum.
Satellite imagery captured the moon’s shadow sweeping over the frozen continent, darkening swaths of ice and snow as the eclipse progressed. On the ground, only a handful of researchers and support personnel located within the corridor witnessed annularity in full; many more observers in Antarctica and on ships saw a partial eclipse. Wildlife in the region, including penguins, experienced the brief dimming as the lunar shadow passed overhead.
Where the eclipse was visible
The annular path measured roughly 2, 661 miles long and about 383 miles wide, confined largely to Antarctic latitudes. Outside that corridor, viewers across broader stretches of Antarctica and in parts of southern Africa and the southernmost reaches of South America observed a partial solar eclipse rather than the full "ring of fire. " Partial phases of an annular eclipse still darken the sun significantly but do not create the thin glowing ring seen within the path of annularity.
Because the track of annularity covered remote and inhospitable terrain, human viewership of the full ring was necessarily limited. Nevertheless, the event offered valuable opportunities for researchers and satellite teams to study how sunlight, atmospheric conditions and the lunar shadow interact over polar environments.
Safety and upcoming solar eclipse dates
Never look directly at the sun without proper protection. Whether witnessing an annular or partial eclipse, direct eye exposure to the sun can cause permanent damage. Observers must wear certified solar eclipse glasses, and cameras, telescopes and binoculars require solar filters placed in front of their lenses at all times. Standard sunglasses are not safe for eclipse viewing.
Looking beyond Feb. 17 ET, the next major solar milestone will be a total solar eclipse on Aug. 12, 2026 ET. That total eclipse will sweep across parts of Greenland, Iceland and northern Spain, with wider regions of Europe and Africa seeing a partial eclipse. Skywatchers can also mark March 3, 2026 ET, for a total lunar eclipse that will turn the moon a deep red across large portions of North America, Australia, New Zealand, East Asia and the Pacific.
For anyone planning future eclipse viewing, it pays to check local timing and viewing conditions well in advance and to secure certified solar filters or eclipse glasses. Even brief moments of annularity or deep partial coverage demand the same rigorous eye protection to keep the experience safe and memorable.
