The first solar eclipse of 2026 is set to occur on Tuesday, February 17, and it promises a spectacular celestial show—even though only a small number of people on Earth will witness the full spectacle.
What Is a “Ring of Fire” Eclipse?
This event is known as an annular solar eclipse—commonly called a “ring of fire”—because of the dramatic way it looks from the right vantage point. During an annular eclipse, the Moon passes directly between Earth and the Sun, but isn’t close enough to completely cover the solar disk.
Instead, a thin, glowing ring of sunlight remains visible around the Moon’s silhouette, earning it that fiery nickname. This occurs due to the Moon’s orbital distance, which makes it appear slightly smaller in the sky than the Sun. The result is a bright circle of sunlight surrounding a dark lunar disk.
Where Will It Be Visible?
The full annular phase—where the ring of fire effect is most striking—will only be visible along a narrow corridor that runs across remote parts of Antarctica.
Because this “path of annularity” is so restricted, only an estimated ~2 % of the world’s population will be in a location where the complete ring can be seen with the naked eye.
People beyond Antarctica won’t see the full ring, but partial phases of the eclipse—where a portion of the Sun is obscured by the Moon—will be observable from:
-
Parts of southern Africa (e.g., South Africa, Mozambique, Madagascar)
-
Southern regions of South America (including southern Chile and Argentina)
-
Nearby islands in the Southern Hemisphere
Most of the world will not see the eclipse directly, and must rely on live streams or photos from observers in visible regions to enjoy the event.
Timing and Duration
According to astronomical data, the eclipse begins with a partial phase shortly before the peak of the event. The annular phase—when the ring of fire appears—will last only a few minutes at most along the narrow path of visibility.
At maximum, up to 96 % of the Sun’s disk will be covered, but because the Moon doesn’t completely block the Sun, daylight won’t fade as dramatically as during a total solar eclipse.
How to Watch Safely
Whether you’re seeing it in person or via livestream, never look directly at the Sun without proper protection. Ordinary sunglasses are not safe. Instead, use:
-
ISO-certified solar eclipse glasses
-
Solar filters for binoculars, cameras, or telescopes
-
Pinhole projectors or other indirect viewing methods
Even during the partial phases, looking at the Sun without proper filters can cause serious and permanent eye damage.
The 2026 Eclipse Season
This annular solar eclipse marks the start of an eclipse season that will also include a total lunar eclipse on March 3, 2026. Later in the year, on August 12, 2026, another solar eclipse will occur—this time a total eclipse viewable from parts of Europe and the Arctic.
0 Comments