A rare “ring of fire” annular solar eclipse will be visible over Antarctica today, February 17, 2026, with a partial eclipse observable from parts of South Africa, according to astronomers. The eclipse will begin at 06:38 UTC and reach its peak at 07:44 UTC, lasting approximately 28 minutes.
The annular eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, but the Moon is too far from Earth to completely cover the Sun. This results in a brilliant ring of sunlight surrounding the Moon’s silhouette, creating the “ring of fire” effect. The path of annularity – where the ring is visible – will traverse a remote stretch of Antarctica.
While the full annular eclipse is limited to Antarctica, a partial eclipse will be visible from a wider area, including parts of South Africa. Observers in these regions will see the Moon appear to take a bite out of the Sun, but the Sun will not be fully obscured. The extent of the partial eclipse will vary depending on the observer’s location.
This eclipse marks the first of 2026 and is occurring shortly before the Lunar New Year and the start of Ramadan, according to some observers. The timing has led to increased interest in the event, with some interpreting it as a harbinger of change.
Experts caution that looking directly at the Sun, even during an eclipse, can cause serious and permanent eye damage. Safe viewing methods, such as using certified solar filters or projecting an image of the Sun onto a surface, are essential for observing the eclipse.
The Economic Times reports that the question of visibility in India is a topic of interest, but the eclipse will not be visible there. The focus remains on the Antarctic region and the limited areas where a partial eclipse can be observed.
