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Feb. 17, 2026 Annular Solar Eclipse Will Bring a Brief ‘Ring of Fire’

Annularity will be confined to Antarctica due to the Moon’s apogee distance.

Overview

  • Argentina’s naval hydrographic service reports the event runs from 09:56 to 14:27 UT, with the annular phase from 11:42 to 12:41 UT and peak duration of about two minutes.
  • The full annular path crosses Antarctica, while a partial eclipse will be visible from southern Argentina and Chile, southern Africa, Madagascar, and adjacent ocean regions.
  • Calculations from Spain’s national geographic institute show the Moon near apogee, covering roughly 96.3% of the Sun and producing an annular, not total, eclipse.
  • Access to the best views is largely limited to scientific missions or specialized expeditions in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean.
  • Specialists warn to use certified eclipse glasses or proper solar filters for optics and never look at the Sun directly at any stage.