Science | Annular Solar Eclipse Forms 'Ring of Fire' Over Antarctica on <time datetime="2026-02-17">Feb 17, 2026</time>
Senior Technology Correspondent · AI, startups & MeitY policy
Quick summary
An annular solar eclipse, known as the 'ring of fire,' is visible today, , primarily over remote Antarctica and the Southern Ocean. This celestial event occurs when the Moon partially obscures the Sun, creating a distinct luminous ring of sunlight for observers in its path.
LEDE PARAGRAPH
An annular solar eclipse, popularly known as the 'ring of fire,' is occurring today, , with its full annularity primarily visible from remote Antarctica and the surrounding Southern Ocean waters. This celestial event, where the Moon appears smaller than the Sun, creates a spectacular luminous ring of sunlight for observers in its path. Although generating significant curiosity, this eclipse will not be visible from India, as its path lies solely over the Southern Hemisphere.
DISCOVERY / FINDING
The unique phenomenon of a 'ring of fire' forms when the Moon passes directly between the Sun and Earth, but is at or near its apogee — the farthest point from Earth in its elliptical orbit. This positioning causes the Moon's apparent diameter to be smaller than the Sun's, preventing it from completely obscuring the solar disk. Instead, the Sun's outer edges remain visible as a brilliant halo, creating the distinctive 'ring of fire' effect, as observed in today's eclipse.
METHOD / CONTEXT
While the full annularity of the eclipse is largely confined to the remote Antarctic continent and the Southern Ocean, a partial solar eclipse is also observable from other regions. Portions of southern South America, southern Africa, and Madagascar will experience a partial eclipse, where the Moon covers only a part of the Sun's disk. This alignment of the Sun, Moon, and Earth, known as a syzygy, is a testament to the precision of celestial mechanics.
RESULTS
For those situated within the narrow path of annularity in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean, the 'ring of fire' presents a breathtaking sight, contingent on clear skies and safe viewing practices. In regions experiencing a partial eclipse, such as parts of southern South America, southern Africa, and Madagascar, the Sun will appear as a crescent, accompanied by a noticeable dimming of daylight. While direct visibility from India is not possible, space agencies like NASA are providing live streams, allowing Indian skywatchers to experience the event digitally.
IMPLICATIONS
Annular solar eclipses like this one offer valuable opportunities for astronomers to study the Sun's corona and observe the subtle interactions between the Earth, Moon, and Sun, contributing to our understanding of solar science and celestial mechanics. These events also play a crucial role in engaging public interest in astronomy and natural phenomena globally.
LIMITATIONS
A significant limitation for observing this annular eclipse is its geographical path, which primarily crosses remote and challenging-to-access regions of the Southern Hemisphere. Consequently, direct observation of the full 'ring of fire' is confined to a select few locations, making remote sensing and specialized expeditions crucial for capturing the full extent of the event. Furthermore, as the eclipse is not visible from India, direct observation by the Indian public is not possible.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- An annular solar eclipse, known as the 'ring of fire', is occurring on .
- Full annularity is primarily visible from remote Antarctica and the Southern Ocean.
- A partial eclipse can be observed from parts of southern South America, southern Africa, and Madagascar.
- The 'ring of fire' appears when the Moon is too far from Earth to completely cover the Sun, leaving a bright ring.
- The eclipse is not visible from India, but live streams are available for viewing.
PEOPLE ALSO ASK
What is an annular solar eclipse?
An annular solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes directly between the Sun and Earth, but its apparent size is smaller than the Sun's, typically because it is near its farthest point from Earth. This results in a bright ring of sunlight, often called a 'ring of fire,' visible around the Moon's silhouette.
Where is the 'ring of fire' eclipse visible?
The full annularity of the , annular solar eclipse is mainly visible from remote Antarctica and surrounding Southern Ocean waters. A partial eclipse is observable from parts of southern South America, southern Africa, and Madagascar.
Will the , solar eclipse be visible in India?
No, the annular solar eclipse on , will not be visible from India. The eclipse path is entirely over the Southern Hemisphere, and India falls outside the shadow track of the event.
Why is it called the 'ring of fire'?
It is called the 'ring of fire' because during the maximum phase of an annular eclipse, the Moon covers the center of the Sun, but its outer edges remain visible. This creates a bright, fiery ring of sunlight in the sky around the dark silhouette of the Moon.