Siliguri, February 12, 2026 – Skywatchers around the world are gearing up for the stunning annular solar eclipse on February 17, 2026, often called the “Ring of Fire.” This will be the first solar eclipse February 2026, creating a glowing ring around the Moon as it passes in front of the Sun.
During this annular solar eclipse, the Moon will not fully cover the Sun, leaving a bright fiery ring visible for up to 2 minutes and 20 seconds at maximum. The path of annularity will primarily cross remote Antarctica, with partial phases seen in southern South America (parts of Chile and Argentina), southern Africa, the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Ocean regions.
Unfortunately, the solar eclipse 2026 visible in India will not include this event – the Feb 17 2026 solar eclipse in India won’t be observable due to its occurrence in the Southern Hemisphere during local nighttime hours.
The path of annularity remains confined to icy Antarctic regions, making it one of the most inaccessible eclipses.
Indian astronomy enthusiasts can catch live streams from international observatories. Remember safety: Never look directly at the Sun without ISO-certified eclipse glasses.
On a brighter note, a spectacular lunar eclipse 2026 follows soon – a total lunar eclipse on March 3, 2026, fully visible across India, turning the Moon a striking reddish hue known as a “Blood Moon.”
This annular solar eclipse kicks off an exciting year of celestial events, even if the solar eclipse 2026 visible in India comes later.