Solar Eclipse 2026 On February 17: Will It Be Visible In India? Full List Of Cities To Witness Next Celestial Event

February 2026 will bring one of the year’s most talked-about sky events, an annular solar eclipse that will sweep across parts of the Southern Hemisphere. For astronomy lovers, this eclipse is special

because it creates the dramatic “ring of fire” effect, where the Moon covers the Sun’s centre but leaves its outer edges glowing. As excitement builds around the event, many people are wondering whether it will be visible from India and which parts of the world will get the best view. Here’s everything you need to know before looking up at the sky.What Kind Of Solar Eclipse Is Happening On February 17, 2026?The February 17 event is an annular solar eclipse. This happens when the Moon passes in front of the Sun while being slightly farther away from Earth, making it appear smaller. Instead of fully blocking the Sun, it leaves a bright ring around the Moon. The path of this eclipse stretches mainly across remote southern regions, including parts of Antarctica, southern Africa, and areas over the oceans.Where Will The Eclipse Be Visible?The annular phase, where the ring of fire is visible, will be limited to a very narrow region. Concordia Station in Antarctica is among the few locations where observers can witness the annular eclipse in its full form.A much wider area will experience a partial solar eclipse. This includes cities and regions across southern South America, southern Africa, island territories in the Indian Ocean, and parts of Antarctica. Locations such as Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban, Gaborone, Port Louis, Antananarivo, and Saint-Denis will see the Moon partially cover the Sun, offering a striking but incomplete view of the event.NASA Alert! 160ft Asteroid Racing Towards Earth On January 7, 2026: Are We Really Safe?Will The Solar Eclipse Be Visible In India?The short answer is no. The February 17, 2026 annular solar eclipse will not be visible anywhere in India. The eclipse occurs during local evening hours in India, but the alignment places the event entirely below the horizon for Indian observers.Global Eclipse TimeThe eclipse begins with its first partial phase around 09:56 UTC and reaches maximum coverage at approximately 12:12 UTC. The final partial phase ends around 14:27 UTC. While these timings translate to late afternoon and early evening in India, the eclipse itself will not be observable from the country.Other Eclipses To Watch For In 2026Even if this one is a miss for India, 2026 still has plenty to offer. A total lunar eclipse will occur on March 2–3, followed by a spectacular total solar eclipse on August 12, which will be visible from parts of Europe and beyond. Another partial lunar eclipse will round off the month on August 27–28.(with inputs taken from timeanddate.com)