An annular solar eclipse will occur on , creating a dramatic “ring of fire” effect as the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth. However, unlike many celestial events, this eclipse will be largely invisible to most of the world’s population, with the path of annularity – where the ring of fire is visible – confined to a remote region of Antarctica and the Southern Ocean.
During an annular eclipse, the Moon is relatively far from Earth in its elliptical orbit. This distance prevents it from completely covering the Sun’s disk, resulting in a bright ring of sunlight surrounding the Moon’s silhouette. As explained by space.com, this differs from a total solar eclipse, where the Moon completely blocks the Sun’s light.
While the full “ring of fire” will be visible only from Antarctica, a partial eclipse will be observable from parts of southern Africa, including South Africa, Mozambique, and Madagascar, as well as the very southern tip of South America – specifically, parts of Argentina and Chile. The greatest eclipse will occur at , with a maximum duration of 140 seconds (2 minutes and 20 seconds).
The eclipse’s path of annularity stretches approximately 2,661 miles (4,282 kilometers) long and 383 miles (616 kilometers) wide. For those unable to travel to the visibility zone, the Eclipse Guide app is suggested as a means of tracking the event.
This eclipse is notable for its limited accessibility. According to starwalk.space, observing the annular phase in person may require a trip to Antarctica, potentially involving a stay at a Russian research station. This makes it a particularly challenging event for amateur astronomers and eclipse chasers.
Understanding Annular Eclipses
Solar eclipses occur when the Moon aligns between the Sun and Earth, casting a shadow on our planet. Notice two primary types: total and annular. The difference lies in the apparent size of the Moon relative to the Sun. The Moon’s orbit isn’t perfectly circular; it varies in distance from Earth. When the Moon is farther away, its apparent size is smaller, leading to an annular eclipse.
The February 17th eclipse is occurring shortly after the Moon reaches apogee – its farthest point from Earth – on , at 16:50 UTC, and before it reaches perigee – its closest point – on , at 23:15 UTC. This positioning contributes to the annular nature of the eclipse.
Looking Ahead: The Next Solar Eclipse
For those who miss the “ring of fire” in February 2026, the next opportunity to witness a solar eclipse visible to a wider audience will be a total solar eclipse on . This total eclipse will be visible in Greenland, western Iceland, and northern Spain, offering up to 2 minutes and 18 seconds of totality. Notably, this eclipse occurs the day before the peak of the annual Perseid meteor shower, potentially offering a spectacular double-header for skywatchers.
Planning for the August 2026 eclipse is already underway, with options ranging from cruises designed to position viewers within the path of totality to land-based viewing locations in Greenland, Iceland, and Spain. Resources are available to help plan a trip, including lists of the best cruises and viewing locations.
While the February 2026 annular eclipse presents logistical challenges for observation, it serves as a reminder of the dynamic interplay between the Sun, Earth, and Moon, and the captivating celestial events that result from their movements.
