This Tuesday February 17, 2026 we will be able to witness one of the most exciting astronomical events of the year: a annular solar eclipsealso popularly known as the “Ring of Fire” eclipse.
He freak It will be the first eclipse of the year and is notable for occurring when the Moon comes between the Earth and the Sun without covering it completely, leaving a halo of light visible around the lunar silhouette, which is the characteristic bright ring that distinguishes it.
On this occasion, they explain in Starwalk Spacethe Moon will cover the center of the Sun – a 96% of the visible surface– and will leave a bright ring of sunlight, but which can only be seen by observers who are within the thin annular path.
Thus, the complete annular phase – the most impressive – will only be visible from remote regions of the planet, a narrow area approximately 616 kilometers wide that will cross remote areas of Antarctica and the waters of the Antarctic Ocean.
In Argentinain particular, the event can be partially observedin the south of the country.
What is an annular solar eclipse «Ring of Fire» and how does it occur?
An annular solar eclipse «Ring of Fire» occurs when the Luna is located between the Earth and the Sun in phase of New moonbut it is located near the apogee (i.e. the furthest point in its orbit).
As a consequence of this, the apparent size of this natural satellite from our perspective it is slightly smaller than that of the Sun and can’t cover it completely.
The result, then, is a shiny hoop around the lunar disk, which is what gives it the name “Ring of Fire”.
It is this characteristic, precisely, that differentiates it from a total eclipse, since complete darkness never occurs because that luminous edge that makes it so striking and «instagrameable».
Where the annular solar eclipse or “Ring of Fire” will be seen in Argentina
As we anticipated, the annularity strip—that is, the exact place where the impressive complete ring can be seen—will mainly cross the Antarctica and areas of the Southern Ocean.
In this case it is a very southern trajectory and in places with a small population, so the entire show will be reserved for scientific bases and expeditions in that region. And because of this isolation, the NASA He has not yet confirmed whether he will carry out the live broadcast.
According Earthsky.orgwill be observed mainly from scientific research stations in Antarcticawhich operate year-round, such as the Concordia Research Station (a Franco-Italian station) and the Russian Mirny Station in Queen Mary’s Land, east of the continent.
In addition, the specialized site adds, a deep partial eclipse will be observed at the main US base – McMurdo Station – with the sun 86 percent hidden by the Moon.
Outside that narrow band, the eclipse will be partial and can be seen in different areas of the southern hemisphere, including southern South America, southern Africa and various regions of the Atlantic and southern Indian Ocean.
In particular, in the King George Island (South Shetlands archipelago), darkness will reach 83 percent around 10:12 (local time); in Cape Town (South Africa), the phenomenon will be seen at 06:17 (local time), with 11 percent of the Sun covered.
In the rest of southern Africa and in the extreme south of the Patagoniathe darkening will be limited, with a maximum – according to scientific estimates – of 40 percent.
In this way, in Argentina the phenomenon will be partial and will be seen mainly in the south, in the city of UshuaiaFor example. In other Patagonian cities such as Gallegos River o El Calafate It will also be visible, although with a lesser magnitude as you move towards the north of the country.
The thing is that, as we said, the further south the observer is, the greater the portion of the Sun covered by the Moon that they will be able to enjoy this February 17, 2026.
Below are the times in Universal Time (TU) and local of the phases of the annular solar eclipse on February 17, 2026:
He eclipse parcial starts at 9:56 (TU). That is, at 06:56 in Argentina and Chile; 04:56 in Colombia and Miami; 03:56 in Mexico; 10:56 in Spain.
He annular eclipse begins at 11:42 (UT). That is, at 08:42 in Argentina and Chile; 06:42 in Colombia and Miami; 05:42 in Mexico; 12:42 in Spain.
He Maximum eclipse begins at 12:12 (UT). That is, at 09:12 in Argentina and Chile; 07:12 in Colombia and Miami; 06:12 in Mexico; 13:12 in Spain.
He eclipse anular ends at 12:41 (UT). That is, at 09:41 in Argentina and Chile; 07:41 in Colombia and Miami; 06:41 in Mexico; 13:41 in Spain.
He eclipse parcial ends at 14:27 (TU). That is, at 11:27 in Argentina and Chile; 09:27 in Colombia and Miami; 08:27 in Mexico; 15:27 in Spain.
According to astronomical precision, the annular phase will have a Approximate duration of two minutes at the maximum point within the central strip, in which it will be night in broad daylight.
How to observe the annular solar eclipse «Ring of Fire» safely this February 17, 2026
Specialists agree to emphasize that never A solar eclipse must be observed directly and without adequate protectionsince solar radiation can cause irreversible damage to the retina in a matter of seconds.
In these cases, it is recommended to use certified glasses for solar observation that meet international safety standards (not the sunglasses we use daily) and place sun filters special in binoculars or telescopes.
What is the Saros 121 cycle and why do eclipses repeat?
This eclipse is part of the saros 121and astronomical cycle that groups eclipses with geometric characteristics similar.
The Saros cycle lasts approximately 18 years, 11 days and 8 hours. After this period, the Sun, Earth and Moon align again in an almost identical way, producing a similar eclipse in another region of the planet.
The Saros 121 series began in the year 944 and will end in 2206encompassing 71 eclipses between total, hybrid and annular. The one on February 17, 2026 corresponds to one of the advanced annular events within that sequence, and is eclipse 61.
This periodic pattern is essential for astronomers to predict these types of phenomena centuries in advance.
