Antarctic “Ring of Fire” Eclipse: A Rare Spectacle Largely Unseen by Humanity
On , an annular solar eclipse – often called a “ring of fire” eclipse – will occur, but the most dramatic view will be limited to a very specific and remote location: Antarctica. While a partial eclipse will be visible from parts of South America, Africa, and across much of Antarctica, the full annular effect, where the moon appears to encircle the sun, will only be observable from the icy continent and the surrounding Southern Ocean.
The Thai Astronomical Society announced the event on , noting that observers in Thailand will not be able to see the eclipse. In fact, the vast majority of the world’s population will miss the full spectacle, with the best viewing opportunities restricted to researchers stationed in Antarctica – potentially fewer observers than the continent’s penguin population.
Understanding Annular Eclipses: A Matter of Distance and Size
Solar eclipses occur due to a remarkable cosmic coincidence. The moon is approximately 400 times smaller than the sun, but it’s also roughly 400 times closer to Earth. So that, from our perspective, the apparent sizes of the sun and moon in the sky are very similar.
However, the distances between the Earth, moon, and sun aren’t constant. These distances fluctuate, causing variations in the apparent sizes of both celestial bodies. When the moon passes between the sun and Earth, if the moon appears slightly smaller than the sun, it cannot completely cover the solar disk. This results in an annular eclipse, where a bright ring of sunlight remains visible around the moon’s silhouette.
Why Annular Eclipses are More Common
The moon’s orbit is elliptical, meaning its distance from Earth varies. Because of this, the moon frequently appears small enough to create an annular eclipse rather than a total eclipse. Annular eclipses are statistically more common than total solar eclipses.
Timing and Visibility of the February 17th Eclipse
According to EarthSky, the partial eclipse will begin at on . The maximum eclipse will occur at , and the partial eclipse will end at . Starwalk Space also confirms the date of for the event.
The path of annularity – the narrow track where the “ring of fire” is visible – will cross remote parts of Antarctica and the Southern Ocean. Research stations like the Concordia Research Station (French-Italian) and the Russian Mirny Station are positioned to offer prime viewing locations. The American McMurdo Station will experience a deep partial eclipse, with approximately 86% of the sun obscured by the moon.
Seasonal Variations in Eclipse Type
Interestingly, the time of year can influence whether an eclipse is annular or total. As the Thai Astronomical Society notes, eclipses occurring in the early and late parts of the year tend to be annular, as the sun is further away. Eclipses occurring around the middle of the year are more likely to be total, due to the sun’s closer proximity to Earth.
Experiencing the Eclipse Without Travel
For those unable to travel to Antarctica, the Eclipse Guide app offers a way to track the event virtually. However, it’s important to remember that experiencing a solar eclipse in person is a unique and awe-inspiring event. The dimming of the light, the change in temperature, and the visual spectacle of the sun being partially obscured by the moon create an unforgettable experience.
The next solar eclipse after February 2026 has not been detailed in the provided sources. However, the rarity of this particular annular eclipse, and its limited visibility, underscores the unique opportunity it presents for those fortunate enough to witness it firsthand.
