On Tuesday, February 17, 2026, the world will witness its first solar eclipse of the year. This event is an annular solar eclipse, often called the “Ring of Fire” because the Moon is too far from Earth to completely cover the Sun, leaving a brilliant, fiery ring of sunlight visible around its edges.
Visibility in India
- No visibility: The eclipse will not be visible in India, as the Sun will be below the horizon during the event.
Where to Watch (Visibility Regions)
The path of annularity and the partial eclipse will be visible in several regions in the Southern Hemisphere, including:
- Primary View (Antarctica): The “Ring of Fire” will be most prominently visible here.
- Partial/Full Visibility: Parts of South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Zambia, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Madagascar, and Mauritius.
- South America: Southern parts of Chile and Argentina.
Key Timings (IST and UTC)
| Phase | UTC Time | IST Time (India) |
| Eclipse Begins | 07:01 UTC | 12:31 PM |
| “Ring of Fire” Begins | 11:42 UTC | 05:12 PM |
| Peak (Maximum Eclipse) | 12:12 UTC | 05:42 PM |
| Peak Duration | ~2 mins 20 secs | N/A |
| Eclipse Ends | 14:27 UTC | 07:57 PM |
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How to Watch Live
Since it isn’t visible in many parts of the world, major space agencies and astronomical organizations will provide live coverage:
- NASA: Will likely stream the event on its official YouTube channel and website.
- Time and Date: Often provides a high-quality live stream with real-time tracking.
Safety Warning
Even during an annular eclipse, the Sun’s rays are incredibly powerful. Never look directly at the Sun without certified ISO 12312-2 solar viewing glasses. Regular sunglasses, even dark ones, are not safe for viewing an eclipse.