Solar Eclipse 2026 Live: Date, Timings, and Where the ‘Ring of Fire’ Is Visible

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Today at 3:26 PM IST, sky watchers and astronomy enthusiasts across the globe were eagerly awaiting a rare occurrence in the sky, the Solar Eclipse 2026, also known as an annular solar eclipse or 'Ring of Fire.' This rare occurrence in the sky takes place when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, but does not cover the entire Sun.

When Is the Solar Eclipse Happening?

Photo Credit: Freepik

The annular solar eclipse is occurring today, February 17, 2026. According to astronomical data, the eclipse began at 3:26 PM IST and will continue until 7:57 PM IST, lasting about 4 hours and 31 minutes.

During this period, the Moon will move in front of the Sun and cover much of its bright disk, resulting in the famous Ring of Fire phenomenon.

What Is an Annular Solar Eclipse?

In contrast to a total solar eclipse, where the Moon is at its closest point to Earth in its orbit and completely covers the Sun, resulting in day turning into night for a short while, an annular solar eclipse occurs when the Moon is at its farthest point from Earth in its orbit. This makes it appear slightly smaller than the Sun, thus not covering it completely, resulting in a bright ring of light around the Moon.

This glowing ring, often called the Ring of Fire, is the highlight of the event and makes annular eclipses especially striking to watch and photograph.

Where Is the Eclipse Visible?

Photo Credit: Freepik

While the Ring of Fire is a stunning phenomenon, it won't be visible everywhere or from everywhere.

India: This eclipse will not be visible from India because the path of the eclipse lies far below Earth's horizon here.

That means people across India who were hoping to glimpse it in the sky won't see the ring directly. However, many astronomy organisations and space agencies (including NASA) are offering live streams of the eclipse online for global audiences.

Where You Can See It

The full Ring of Fire will be visible only along a narrow path primarily across Antarctica, making it one of the more remote eclipse viewings.

Parts of the Southern Hemisphere will see a partial solar eclipse instead, where the Moon takes a "bite" out of the Sun but doesn't form the full ring:

• Southern Africa (South Africa, Mozambique)
• Southern tip of South America (Argentina, Chile)
• Mauritius and nearby regions
• Areas of Antarctica and surrounding oceanic expanses

These regions will see varying percentages of the Sun covered, depending on their location along the eclipse path.

Safe Viewing Tips

Even if you could see the eclipse, it's crucial to remember: never look at the Sun with your naked eyes, even during an eclipse. Regular sunglasses are not enough; you need proper eclipse glasses (certified to ISO 12312-2) or indirect viewing methods to safely observe the Sun without risking eye damage.

For those outside the visibility zone, live online streams are the safest and easiest way to enjoy the spectacle without eye risk.

Bottomline

This solar eclipse is the first of the year and sets the stage for another major eclipse coming soon: a total lunar eclipse on March 3, 2026, which will be visible from many parts of the world.

Together, these eclipse events highlight Earth's predictable celestial rhythms and offer both scientists and skywatchers remarkable moments to observe our place in the cosmos.