[photo by NASA]
ANTARCTICA – February 17, 2026 – A spectacular “Ring of Fire” has emerged over the frozen wilderness of Antarctica today, as the first solar eclipse of 2026 transformed the sun into a thin, blazing halo. While the full annular phase was reserved for one of the most remote regions on Earth, skywatchers across Southern Africa and South America were treated to a dramatic partial shadow.
The Science Behind the Halo
Unlike a total solar eclipse, where the Moon completely obscures the Sun, today’s annular solar eclipse occurred because the Moon is currently near its apogee—the point in its elliptical orbit furthest from Earth. From our perspective, the Moon appeared slightly too small to cover the solar disc entirely.
At the peak of the event, the Moon covered approximately 96% of the Sun’s center, leaving only the fiery outer edges visible. This geometric alignment created the iconic “annulus” (Latin for ring), lasting roughly 2 minutes and 20 seconds at maximum duration.
A Remote Spectacle
The “path of annularity”—the narrow corridor where the perfect ring is visible—was approximately 383 miles (616 km) wide. It swept almost exclusively over the Antarctic continent and the surrounding Southern Ocean.
- Who saw it? The primary audience for the full “Ring of Fire” consisted of researchers at isolated outposts like Russia’s Mirny Station and the French-Italian Concordia Research Station.
- Wildlife Observers: Astronomers joked that the continent’s penguin colonies had the best seats in the house for the celestial show.
Visibility Beyond the Ice
While the “ring” was elusive, a partial eclipse was visible to millions across the Southern Hemisphere.
| Region | Maximum Obscuration (Approx.) |
| Antananarivo, Madagascar – 20%|
| Durban, South Africa – 16% |
| Cape Town, South Africa – 5% |
| Southern Argentina/Chile – 2% |
In cities across South Africa, Namibia, and Zimbabwe, observers used certified ISO-standard eclipse glasses to witness “bites” being taken out of the sun. Even in regions with low obscuration, the light took on a surreal, sharpened quality as the Moon’s shadow grazed the Earth.
Safety First
Experts remind the public that at no point during an annular eclipse is it safe to look directly at the Sun without specialized protection. The “Ring of Fire” still emits enough intense radiation to cause permanent retinal damage.
“Even with 96% of the Sun covered, the remaining 4% is incredibly bright,” says astronomer Joe Llama of the Lowell Observatory. “Proper eclipse glasses are a must.”
What’s Next?
If you missed today’s event, 2026 remains a “blockbuster” year for astronomy. A highly anticipated total solar eclips* is set to sweep across Greenland, Iceland, and Spain on August 12, 2026, promising a full blackout for millions of viewers.
