On Tuesday, February 17, 2026, the Earth will witness an extraordinary celestial event: an annular solar eclipse, during which the Moon moves directly between the Sun and Earth but appears slightly smaller than the Sun in the sky—resulting in a bright “ring of fire” effect.
Where and When
The heart of this eclipse’s specialness lies in its remote path. The zone in which the full “ring of fire” (annularity) will be visible lies almost entirely across remote parts of Antarctica and the adjoining Southern Ocean.
For example, at the French-Italian research station Concordia Station in Antarctica the annularity is expected around 11:46 UTC and will last just over 2 minutes.
Outside that narrow path, locations in the southern tip of South America (Argentina, Chile) and much of southern Africa (Mozambique, Madagascar, South Africa) will see a partial eclipse rather than the full ring.
If you are in Pakistan, India, or much of Asia, you will not be able to see this eclipse.
Why It’s Unique
This eclipse belongs to the Saros series 121.
The magnitude is about 0.963, meaning the Moon will cover about 96.3% of the Sun’s apparent diameter at maximum.
Because the Moon is somewhat farther away (near apogee) its apparent size is slightly smaller than the Sun’s—hence an annular, not total, eclipse.
The environment for viewing is extreme: Antarctica’s interior often has very low sun elevation at that date, meaning the Sun will be quite low on the horizon during the annularity.
What to Expect If You Were There
For those few who might venture to the path of annularity: when the Moon is central against the Sun, instead of full darkness (as in a total eclipse), the Sun will appear as a thin glowing ring around the dark disc of the Moon. A moment of dramatic contrast as daylight dims slightly, shadows sharpen, ambient light changes, and the “ring” glows. If you were at Concordia or aboard a polar-cruise ship in the right zone, you could witness that for about 2 minutes.
For those outside the narrow path, the view will be of a partially eclipsed Sun: the Moon covers part of the solar disc and you may notice the light dim a little, shadows on the ground may soften, but the effect is much more subtle.
Safety & Viewing Tips
Even though this is happening in a remote and extreme location, the usual safety rules apply:
Never look directly at the Sun without proper solar-eclipse glasses or filters; regular sunglasses are not safe.
If you’re observing the partial phase, use pin-hole projectors or indirect viewing if you don’t have certified eclipse glasses.
Check local weather: in Antarctica at this time of year cloud cover is still likely (and logistics are difficult), so even in the path you may not get a clear view.
For those outside the prime zone, don’t expect the dramatic “ring of fire” but still enjoy the experience of the Moon creeping across the Sun.
Why This Matters
While this eclipse will not be widely visible to large populations (being largely over uninhabited or sparsely inhabited regions), it still highlights the rhythms of our solar system—how the Earth-Moon-Sun geometry gives us these rare alignments. The fact that many people cannot see it makes the few observers all the more fortunate—and underscores the importance of global coordination for eclipse expeditions and scientific observation.
On February 17, 2026, the Earth will host yet another remarkable event in the sky: a “ring of fire” annular solar eclipse. Although most of us watching from Asia, Africa or other more populous regions will only witness a partial view (or none at all), the event remains a powerful reminder of our place in the cosmos. For the few who make the journey to Antarctica—or catch a glimpse in the southern hemisphere—the visual spectacle of a glowing ring against a cold Antarctic sky will be unforgettable. For everyone else: mark it in your calendar, plan ahead if you ever devote resources to eclipse-chasing, and when future eclipses roll around remember that every one is unique in its geography, timing, and effect.