Overview
- The annular solar eclipse on Tuesday, February 17, 2026 will run for more than four hours from ~09:56 UTC to ~14:27 UTC, with maximum around 12:11–12:13 UTC and annularity lasting about two minutes.
- The annular phase will be confined to a narrow track across Antarctica and the Southern Ocean, with only a partial eclipse visible from southern Patagonia, parts of southern Africa and Madagascar.
- The event is annular because the Moon will be near apogee and cover roughly 96.3% of the Sun, leaving a bright ring instead of total darkness.
- Experts urge safe viewing using certified eclipse glasses or proper solar filters for optics, warning never to look directly at the Sun.
- Spain’s August 12, 2026 total eclipse will cross 24 provinces in 13 autonomous communities, and a government commission led by Juan Cruz Cigudosa expects 5–10 million visitors and is focusing on traffic, emergency response and eye-safety outreach.