Solar Eclipse February 2026: Where, when and how to watch it in India?

The first solar eclipse of 2026 will occur on Tuesday, February 17. It will be an ‘annular solar eclipse’ and the world is eagerly awaiting the celestial event. 

Here’s all you need to know about it.

What is a solar eclipse? 

A solar eclipse is when the Sun, Moon and Earth are in alignment and the Moon passes directly between the Sun and Earth, casting a shadow on our planet and blocking some of the fiery ball’s light.

 The configuration of the three celestial bodies is called a syzygy by scientists

What is an annular solar eclipse? 

An annular solar eclipse occurs when the Moon is near its farthest point from Earth. Because it is smaller than the Sun, it doesn’t cover it completely leaving a thin., bright outer ring of sunlight visible called the ‘Ring of Fire.’

Other types of solar eclipses include the total, in which the Moon perfectly covers the Sun and for a few minutes the day sky turns completely dark. There is also a partial solar eclipse in which the Moon is not in alignment and only a part of it covers the Sun, making the appearance as if a “bite” of the Sun has been eaten away.

When will the eclipse occur? 

The upcoming solar eclipse will occur on February 17 and begin at 09:56 UTC(Coordinated Universal Time) and the maximum eclipse will be achieved at 12:12 UTC. 

Where can you see the eclipse? 

The eclipse will be fully visible in only very remote parts of the world and almost entirely exclusive to Antarctica.

But other neighbouring regions will have partial visibility, including Southern Africa (Cape Town, Durban), Zimbabwe, and Tanzania. Southern tips of Argentina and Chile will also be able to partially see the eclipse. The islands of Madagascar and Mauritius will also be able to see the eclipse. 

Will it be visible in India? 

The annular solar eclipse will not be visible in India, because the alignment occurs in the Southern hemisphere, when the Sun is below the horizon in India.