Latest update:
The eclipse will begin on February 17 at 07:01 UTC (12:31 PM), while the ‘ring of fire’ will be visible at 11:42 UTC (5:12 PM IST).
The solar eclipse will not be visible from India.
Mark your calendars. The first solar eclipse of 2026 is scheduled to occur on Tuesday, February 17, and it’s not just any eclipse. This is an annular solar eclipse, known as the “ring of fire.” Before this rare celestial event, sky watchers around the world are preparing to watch it using special viewing equipment.
To give you some context, a solar eclipse occurs when the sun, moon, and Earth are in a straight line. During this alignment, the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, casting its shadow on our planet. Depending on distances and positioning, the sun may be completely or partially covered. In this case, it creates a glowing ring in the sky, which is referred to as the dramatic “ring of fire.”
What exactly is a “ring of fire”
According to NASA, a “ring of fire” occurs when the Moon is at or near the furthest point from Earth in its orbit. Due to its distance, the Moon appears slightly smaller in the sky and cannot completely block the Sun.
Instead of complete darkness, observers see the dark, circular silhouette of the Moon sitting in front of the Sun, with a thin, bright ring of sunlight visible around its edges. The glowing outline resembles a fire ring or even a diamond ring. Thus it gained its popular nickname. Unlike a total solar eclipse, daylight does not completely disappear during an annular eclipse, as the sun is never completely covered.
Solar eclipse 2026: key date and timing
As Forbes reported, the eclipse will begin on February 17 at 07:01 UTC (12:31 p.m.). The phase will begin, when the “Ring of Fire” becomes visible, at 11:42 UTC (5:12 PM EST).
The eclipse will peak at 12:12 UTC (5:42 p.m. EDT), when the ring’s influence will be at its peak. However, this peak phase will only last for 2 minutes and 20 seconds, making timing crucial for viewers in visible areas. The entire eclipse event will end at 14:27 UTC (7:57 p.m. EDT).
Will India be able to see it?
Unfortunately, no. The solar eclipse on February 17 will not be visible from India. This event will mainly occur in the southern hemisphere at a time when the sun is below the horizon in India. As a result, sky watchers in the country will not be able to watch the eclipse directly.
Countries that will witness the eclipse
The annular solar eclipse will be visible in parts of Antarctica, Argentina, Botswana, British Indian Ocean Territory, Chile, Comoros, Eswatini (Swaziland), French Southern Territories, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mayotte, Mozambique, Namibia, Reunion Islands, South Africa, South Georgia/Sandwich Islands, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Observers in these areas will be able to experience the full celestial view or the partial eclipse, depending on their precise location.
How and where to watch it live
Many space agencies will broadcast the eclipse live. NASA will broadcast the event through its official platforms, and it is expected that the broadcast will be broadcast across many astronomy websites around the world. This allows viewers everywhere to safely experience the Ring of Fire without the need for specialized viewing equipment.
16 February 2026 at 09:11 IST
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