The solar eclipse on February 17, 2026 will be one of the most spectacular celestial events of the decade, featuring a rare “Ring of Fire” annular eclipse.
While skywatchers around the world will track this cosmic alignment, many Indians are asking one key question: Will the solar eclipse be visible in India? Here is everything you need to know about the Surya Grahan of Feb 17, 2026.
On Tuesday, February 17, 2026, the sky will stage its first major astronomical show of the year: an annular solar eclipse, popularly known as a “Ring of Fire” eclipse.
What Is an Annular Solar Eclipse?
A solar eclipse happens when the Moon moves directly between the Earth and the Sun, casting a shadow on Earth and obscuring the Sun from view.
In an annular eclipse, the Moon is slightly farther from Earth in its orbit, making it appear smaller than the Sun.
As a result, it does not block the Sun completely. Instead, a luminous ring of sunlight remains visible — the dramatic “Ring of Fire.”
When and Where Will It Happen?
- Date: Tuesday, 17 February 2026
- Peak/Maximum Eclipse: Around 12:12 UTC on that day (approximately 5:42 PM IST).
- Duration of Ring of Fire: Up to ~2 minutes 20 seconds at peak for observers along the central path.
The eclipse begins with partial phases before and ends after its peak phase, lasting several hours in total.
Can Indians See the Ring of Fire?
No — the Ring of Fire will not be visible from anywhere in India.
Why Not?
The eclipse’s path of annularity — the narrow strip where the full Ring of Fire effect can be seen — passes only over remote parts of Antarctica and a few southern oceanic regions.
Because of Earth’s rotation and the geographical alignment on that day, the Sun — during this eclipse — will be below the horizon for observers in India, meaning:
- No visible eclipse at all (not partial, not total).
- Daylight in India will remain normal.
- No temperature drop, no dimming of sunlight will be observed.
So even though it happens during late afternoon Indian time, it won’t be seen in the Indian sky due to the geometry of the eclipse.
If you want to experience it visually, the best option is to watch live streams from space agencies and astronomical observatories that broadcast the event globally.
Where Can the Eclipse Be Seen?
Full Annular View (Ring of Fire):
- Central Antarctica — the main region where the ring is visible.
Partial Eclipse (Partial Sun Covering):
While India won’t see the eclipse, some regions near the path will see a partial eclipse — where the Moon blocks just part of the Sun:
- Southern Africa (e.g., South Africa, Botswana, Mozambique).
- Southern South America (e.g., Argentina, Chile).
- Antarctic research stations may catch the partial phases.
Best Way for Indians to View It
Even though the eclipse won’t be visible locally:
Watch Online Safely
You can still enjoy the eclipse live via:
- NASA or ESA (European Space Agency) live streams
- Astronomy YouTube channels
- TimeAndDate or space observatory coverage
These streams often include expert commentary on the science behind the eclipse.
Eye Safety (If You Travel)
If you plan to travel to a place where the eclipse is visible:
- Use ISO-certified solar eclipse glasses.
- Never look at the Sun directly without proper filters.
- Camera or telescope viewing also requires special solar filters.
Without certified protection, direct solar viewing can damage your eyes
Science & Fascination
The 2026 eclipse reminds us of how precisely our solar system is ordered:
- The Sun is about 400× larger than the Moon.
- The Moon is about 400× closer to Earth than the Sun.
- This balance lets the Moon cover much of the Sun visually — but not fully in annular eclipses.
Annular eclipses are rarer to witness in person compared to partial ones, and chasing them has become a passion for eclipse photographers and skywatchers.
Cultural & Traditional Notes (India)
In India, solar eclipses often carry traditional beliefs related to:
- Sutak period and rituals
- Religious practices during eclipse times
However, since this eclipse won’t be visible here, traditional sutak and related taboos do not apply across India.
Solar Eclipses in 2026
February 17 is just the first eclipse of 2026. There is also:
- A total solar eclipse on August 12, 2026, visible in parts of Europe and northern regions