On the morning of Tuesday, February 17, 2026, a rare celestial spectacle will unfold in the skies above Earth: the year’s first solar eclipse, and not just any eclipse, but an annular one—often called a "ring of fire." While the anticipation is global, only a tiny fraction of humanity will witness the full grandeur of this astronomical event in person. For most, it’s a show best enjoyed through livestreams or indirect observation, but the science and myths surrounding it are worth everyone’s attention.
So, what exactly is happening? According to NASA, an annular solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes directly between the Earth and the Sun, but is just a bit too far from our planet to completely block out the Sun’s disk. Dr. C. Alex Young, associate director for science communication at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, explained in an email to CNN, "when the moon passes directly between the Earth and the sun, but the moon is too far away in its orbit to completely cover the sun’s disk," a brilliant ring of sunlight—dubbed the "ring of fire"—remains visible around the Moon’s silhouette. It’s a breathtaking sight, but only for those in the right place at the right time.
This time around, that place is Antarctica. According to Time and Date, the path of annularity—the narrow zone where the full ring of fire can be seen—will sweep across a sliver of the icy continent. The eclipse will begin at Concordia Station, Antarctica, at 6:48 p.m. local time (6:42 a.m. ET) and reach its peak at 7:47 p.m. local time (7:12 a.m. ET). The event will last about two hours, with the Moon’s shadow carving a path 383 miles (616 kilometers) wide and 2,661 miles (4,282 kilometers) long across Earth's surface, as reported by EarthSky.
But what about the rest of us? While only about 2% of the world’s population will be in a position to see the full annular eclipse, a partial eclipse will be visible from much broader regions, including parts of South America and Africa. Argentina and Chile, for example, will catch the partial eclipse starting around 7 a.m. local time (5 a.m. ET), while sky-gazers in southern Africa can look up in the early to midafternoon. Even so, most people will need to rely on online streams to experience the event.
For those lucky enough to be in the right spot, what can they expect? Dr. Young described to CNN how the Moon will slowly eat into the Sun’s disk, creating a partial eclipse. As coverage increases, "shadows on the ground begin to sharpen and lose their fuzzy edges, the light around you dims, and shadows start to look curved." At the peak, the Moon will sit directly in front of the Sun, leaving only the blazing ring visible. If you look at the ground through eclipse glasses, Young added, "you’ll see unusual, circular patterns in the shadows." It’s a surreal experience—one that’s left a mark on cultures and imaginations for centuries.
Of course, with every eclipse comes a swirl of myths and warnings. In India and many other countries, solar eclipses are often linked to concerns about food safety, pregnancy risks, and even negative energy. But what does science say? According to NDTV, medical experts and global health agencies are clear: the only proven health risk during a solar eclipse is to your eyes. Looking directly at the Sun, even when it’s partially obscured, can cause solar retinopathy—a form of retinal injury that can lead to permanent vision loss. The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) warns that "looking directly at the Sun, even during an eclipse, can burn the retina without causing immediate pain." The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) echoes this advice, stating that regular sunglasses are not safe for eclipse viewing. Only ISO-certified eclipse glasses or indirect viewing methods, like pinhole projectors, are recommended.
The myths don’t stop at eye safety. Some believe that solar eclipses can harm pregnant women or contaminate food. However, as NDTV points out, there is no scientific evidence linking eclipses to pregnancy complications, birth defects, food safety issues, mental health risks, or increased radiation. The World Health Organization and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists do not list solar eclipses as a risk factor for fetal abnormalities. Food safety, as the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations confirms, is determined by storage and hygiene—not by celestial events. And while some people report feeling anxious or unsettled during an eclipse, the National Institute of Mental Health attributes this to psychological factors and cultural beliefs rather than any physiological effect of the eclipse itself.
So, how can you safely enjoy the show? NASA and eye health authorities recommend using certified eclipse glasses—those meeting the ISO 12312-2 standard—or indirect viewing devices like pinhole projectors. To make a simple projector, punch a small hole in a piece of cardboard, turn your back to the Sun, and let sunlight pass through the hole onto a flat surface behind it. This projects a safe image of the Sun, allowing you to witness the ring shape without risking your vision. For children, supervision is essential, and binoculars, telescopes, or cameras should only be used with proper solar filters.
Symptoms of solar retinopathy can appear hours after exposure and include blurred vision, blind spots, or distorted vision. The American Academy of Ophthalmology advises immediate medical evaluation if such symptoms develop after eclipse viewing.
Annular solar eclipses are not as rare as total eclipses, but they’re still infrequent at any given location. According to NASA, annular eclipses occur every one to two years, but many are visible only from remote or sparsely populated regions. The next annular eclipse will occur on February 6, 2027, with a path crossing larger areas of South America and Africa. For those in the United States, the next chance to see an annular eclipse won’t come until 2039, according to Dr. Young.
This week’s eclipse also kicks off an "eclipse season," a period when solar and lunar eclipses come in pairs (and sometimes trios). As Dr. Young explained, "a solar eclipse is always accompanied by a lunar eclipse about two weeks before or after." This time, a total lunar eclipse will follow on March 3, 2026, visible from Asia, Australia, the Pacific Islands, and the Americas. The moon will appear red—a so-called "blood moon"—and, as Young noted, "it’s the last one visible from North America until 2028, so it’s the one people should really have on their calendar right now."
And there’s more for sky enthusiasts in 2026: a parade of six planets on February 28 and a series of meteor showers throughout the year, with the Lyrids, Eta Aquariids, Perseids, and Geminids among the highlights.
Ultimately, the 2026 annular solar eclipse is a reminder of nature’s grandeur and the importance of science-based knowledge. While myths and cultural traditions add color to the event, the only real danger is to your eyes if you ignore safety advice. So, whether you’re in Antarctica, Argentina, or simply watching online, enjoy the show safely and let curiosity—not fear—be your guide.