February 2026 is expected to amaze astronomy enthusiasts with an annular solar eclipse, which appears as a spectacular “ring of fire.” This happens owing to the effect of the Moon coming between Earth and the Sun. Partially, in this case, the Moon will cover the Sun, and a bright ring of sunlight will blaze out around the sunlit side of the Moon. An annular solar eclipse is both spectacular and scientifically important and, therefore, generally receives continuous attention well before the event actually occurs. Many people in India are wondering if this spectacular event can be viewed from their land. This particular event will be great to see, and its viewability is absolutely subject to geolocation.
Understanding the February 17 annular solar eclipse
The solar eclipse on February 17, 2026, is classified as an annular eclipse. This occurs when the Moon passes directly between the Earth and the Sun while it is near the farthest point in its orbit from Earth. Because the Moon appears slightly smaller in the sky, it cannot completely block the Sun. Instead, a luminous ring remains visible around the Moon’s dark disc. Unlike a total solar eclipse, daylight does not vanish entirely, but the visual effect remains extraordinary, especially along the narrow path where the annular phase is visible.
Annual solar eclipse: Regions that will witness the eclipse
- The annular (ring of fire) phase will be visible only along a very narrow and remote path in the Southern Hemisphere.
- Antarctica lies at the centre of this path, with Concordia Station among the most notable locations where the annular eclipse can be seen in its full form.
- Areas outside this narrow corridor will witness a partial solar eclipse, rather than the complete ring effect.
- Regions experiencing partial visibility include southern Africa, southern South America, and island territories in the Indian Ocean, along with surrounding oceanic areas.
- Cities such as Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban, Gaborone, Port Louis, Antananarivo and Saint-Denis are expected to see the Moon partially cover the Sun, creating a clearly noticeable “bitten” appearance.
Will solar eclipse be visible in India?
Despite the excitement, the February 17 annular solar eclipse will not be visible from anywhere in India. Although the eclipse occurs during late afternoon to early evening hours in Indian time, the alignment of the Earth, Moon and Sun places the entire event below the horizon for Indian observers. As a result, neither the annular phase nor the partial phase can be seen from the subcontinent. This limitation is purely geographical and not related to weather or local conditions.
Key global timings of the annual solar eclipse 2026
The eclipse will start with its partial phase at about 09:56 UTC, have maximum coverage at approximately 12:12 UTC, and end by about 14:27 UTC. As these times are late afternoon in India, and as visibility is limited to the Southern Hemisphere, only live broadcasts and international coverage can show the event in India.
Practical tips for eclipse enthusiasts
- Follow live streams from various observatories and space agencies to see the eclipse in February as it happens, while the explanation of the science of the event also unfolds.
- Plan for other eclipses in 2026, especially lunar eclipses, which can be viewed by the naked eye and are visible from larger geographical regions.
- If you are traveling abroad to observe a solar eclipse, obtain proper solar viewing glasses that meet the ISO 12312-2 international safety standard for such viewing.
- Never view a solar eclipse without proper protection of your eyes, since serious permanent eye injury can occur.
- Allow eclipse paths, dates, and timings to be monitored well in advance, permitting the safest viewing and the best experience possible.
