First Solar Eclipse Of 2026 Blazes A ‘ring Of Fire’ Above Antarctica

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February 17, 2026

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First star eclipse of 2026 blazes a ‘ring of fire’ supra Antarctica

A stunning “ring of fire” eclipse was wholly visible to a fortunate fewer successful nan Southern Hemisphere. Here’s really to spot nan adjacent one

By Jackie Flynn Mogensen edited by Claire Cameron

A thin, orangish ringing outlines a achromatic circle

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Parts of nan Southern Hemisphere connected Tuesday were graced by a “ring of fire” star eclipse—a celestial marvel that occurs erstwhile nan satellite passes straight betwixt our satellite and nan sun. Because nan moon’s diameter appears smaller than nan sun, it appears for illustration a fiery halo of ray successful nan sky, hence its nickname.

The first star eclipse of 2026, nan eclipse reached its maximum astatine 7:12 a.m. ET.

The arena was visible successful immoderate parts of Antarctica, Africa, and South America.

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The event, besides called an annular star eclipse, reportedly lasted astir 2 hours from commencement to decorativeness arsenic viewed from Concordia Station successful Antarctica, pinch nan fiery ringing visible for conscionable complete 2 minutes. Only skygazers successful Antarctica would person seen nan afloat ring.

If you weren’t among nan fortunate people—or penguins—to person caught nan eclipse, do not fret: another 1 is coming soon.

A full lunar eclipse—where nan Earth passes successful betwixt nan sun and nan moon, turning nan satellite a bloody reddish color, is owed to return spot connected March 2. And a total star eclipse—when nan satellite passes successful beforehand of nan sun and afloat obscures nan prima from our view—will grace nan Northern Hemisphere connected August 12. The way of totality, wherever group tin expect nan sun to disappear, traverses nan Arctic, Greenland and Spain, but viewers successful parts of North America and Northern Europe and Africa will still beryllium capable to spot a partial eclipse.

Eight images of nan satellite passing successful beforehand of nan ray of nan sun

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