Solar Eclipse highlights: Surya Grahan in its last phase, moon continues to slide away

The year’s first Surya Grahan concludes at 7:57 PM IST, ending the spectacular annular eclipse. The “Ring of Fire” dazzled observers for 2 minutes and 20 seconds along its path.

The moon is moving away from the sun, forming a widening crescent as the partial eclipse slowly concludes across Antarctica and surrounding southern regions.

The annular phase has ended as the moon moves away from the sun. The ring of fire fades over Antarctica while other regions see only a partial eclipse.

The annular solar eclipse has reached its peak, with the sun and moon perfectly aligned, forming the most striking "ring of fire" over Antarctica. Outside this path, the eclipse is partial or invisible.

Annularity has started. In remote areas of Antarctica, the moon appears slightly smaller than the sun, forming a thin “ring of fire” around its edges. This phase cannot be seen anywhere else on Earth.

The South Pole lies outside the path of annularity for February 17. Observers there will miss the dramatic “ring of fire” seen from Concordia Station. Instead, a partial eclipse will peak at 6:24 a.m. EST (11:24 GMT), with the moon covering the upper portion of the Sun, leaving a bright crescent visible beneath the lunar silhouette.

The Moon is increasingly obscuring the Sun as the partial eclipse spreads across Antarctica and nearby southern oceans. The most striking phase is approaching but will remain visible only from Antarctica.

The first solar eclipse of the year started at 09:56 GMT (3:26 PM IST) and will end at 14:27 GMT (7:57 PM IST), lasting approximately 4 hours and 31 minutes.

At maximum coverage, about 96 per cent of the Sun’s centre will be obscured, creating the ‘Ring of Fire’ effect for up to 2 minutes and 20 seconds.

The NWU Solar Observatory will live-stream the annual solar eclipse on its YouTube channel for viewers worldwide.

The ‘Ring of Fire’ is expected to peak between 5:13 PM and 6:11 PM.

A solar eclipse can briefly influence Earth’s upper atmosphere, particularly the ionosphere.

Changes in ionisation: Ionisation occurs when atoms or molecules gain or lose electrons and become electrically charged. Solar radiation is the main driver of this process in the ionosphere. When the Moon blocks sunlight during an eclipse, the sudden drop in solar radiation reduces ionisation levels, leading to a temporary decline in electron density.

Temperature shifts: With less solar energy reaching the atmosphere, the upper layers can cool slightly. This cooling may alter ionospheric density and height for a short period.

Impact on radio communication: Because radio waves travel through the ionosphere, these temporary changes can affect how signals move. Shortwave radio, GPS navigation and some satellite communication systems may experience minor disruptions during the eclipse.

The annular solar eclipse has officially begun, with the Moon starting to pass in front of the Sun, signalling the partial phase across Antarctica and parts of the Southern Hemisphere.

The eclipse is not visible outside these regions, as it is unfolding over some of the most remote areas on Earth. To illustrate the event, images from previous eclipses will be used to show how the skies over Antarctica appear during this phase.

As the first solar eclipse of 2026 takes place today, Google has introduced a special interactive animation on its Search homepage, allowing users worldwide to virtually experience the annular “Ring of Fire” eclipse, ANI reported.

While the dramatic “Ring of Fire” will be visible in select parts of the world, India will not witness the year’s first Surya Grahan on 17 Feb 2026.

The annular solar eclipse is largely confined to the Southern Hemisphere. The Moon’s shadow will travel across regions far south of the Indian subcontinent, which means no part of India will fall within the eclipse’s visibility path. As a result, skywatchers in the country will have to wait for a future event to experience the spectacle.

The year’s first solar eclipse is occurring today and it is an annular eclipse rather than a total one.

The key difference between a total and an annular solar eclipse lies in the Moon’s distance from Earth, which determines how large it appears in the sky. A total solar eclipse takes place when the Moon is closer to Earth and appears large enough to completely cover the Sun, briefly turning day into darkness.

In contrast, an annular solar eclipse happens when the Moon is farther away in its orbit. Because it appears slightly smaller, it cannot fully block the Sun. Instead, a bright outer edge remains visible, creating the dramatic “ring of fire” effect.

As the Moon covers up to 80–95% of the Sun, sunlight drops sharply. This reduction in solar radiation can lower temperatures within 10–30 minutes. During most annular eclipses, temperatures fall by 1°C to 3°C. In dry desert regions, the drop can reach 4°C to 5°C. The cooling usually peaks at maximum eclipse, which may last 1 to 5 minutes. Countries such as Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg in South Africa, may feel slight cold in temperature.  Port Louis in Mauritius and Antananarivo in Madagascar may also notice a mild dip.

Yes, many animals do react during an eclipse. As daylight suddenly fades, wildlife can become confused. Birds often stop singing and return to their nests. Cows have been seen lying down, thinking night has arrived. During an annular solar eclipse, the sudden drop in light can confuse animals. However, this behaviour is temporary. Once sunlight returns, animals quickly resume normal activity and there is no lasting biological change. Scientists believe it is not the eclipse itself that alters behaviour. It is the rapid shift in light and sometimes temperature and animals simply react to this.

The peak phase is expected to occur between 5:13 PM and 6:11 PM.

The next solar eclipse is set to take place on 12 August and it will be a total solar eclipse. According to NASA, the event will be fully visible from Greenland, Iceland, Spain and Russia, along with parts of Portugal. A partial eclipse will also be seen across other regions of Europe, Africa and North America, as well as over the Atlantic Ocean, Arctic Ocean and Pacific Ocean.

The next solar eclipse is set to take place on 12 August and it will be a total solar eclipse. According to NASA, the event will be fully visible from Greenland, Iceland, Spain and Russia, along with parts of Portugal. A partial eclipse will also be seen across other regions of Europe, Africa and North America, as well as over the Atlantic Ocean, Arctic Ocean and Pacific Ocean.

The annular solar eclipse will be visible primarily over Antarctica, with only limited partial visibility in nearby regions. Viewers in parts of Southern Africa, including Cape Town and Durban, along with areas of Zimbabwe and Tanzania, are expected to catch the eclipse. The southernmost regions of Argentina and Chile may also get a brief glimpse of the phenomenon, while the US, UK and UAE are unlikely to see it.

In India, a solar eclipse, or Surya Grahan, is seen as more than just an astronomical event. While scientists describe the “Ring of Fire” as a precise alignment of the sun and moon, many Hindu families observe Sutak Kaal, a period considered sensitive or inauspicious that begins about 12 hours before a solar eclipse. This belief is linked to the myth of Rahu and Ketu.

Traditions may include fasting, temple closures and ritual baths after the eclipse to symbolically purify the home. Even when the eclipse is not visible in India, some households continue to observe these customs as part of their cultural and spiritual connection.

The eclipse will begin at 3:26 pm IST and end at 7:57 pm, lasting about 4 hours 31 minutes.

The “ring of fire” effect is rare and perfectly timed. The alignment between the Earth, Moon and Sun must be exact for it to appear. Today’s annular solar eclipse is expected to produce this striking phenomenon. During this event, sunlight forms a bright ring around the Moon’s dark silhouette. Temperatures may drop as eerie shadows sharpen across the landscape. Scientists are closely observing atmospheric shifts and other rare solar changes.

Scientists confirm the Moon will not fully cover the Sun. Instead, a brilliant ring of fire will appear which make it annual solar eclipse of the year. This happens when the Moon appears slightly smaller in sky. The Sun’s outer edge remains glowing and sharply visible. Scientists also advised to not to look directly to the Sun without protection as it can cause permanent eye damage.

The solar eclipse will last approximately 4 hours and 32 minutes.

At the height of the eclipse, the moon will obscure most of the sun, leaving a narrow, glowing ring of sunlight visible for as long as 2 minutes and 20 seconds along the path of annularity.

The annular solar eclipse on 17 February 2026 will not be visible from India. The full “Ring of Fire” effect will occur along a narrow path crossing Antarctica and parts of Southern Africa and Australia. Some regions outside this path will see a partial solar eclipse, but India falls completely outside the visibility zone. Skywatchers in India will have to wait for a future eclipse to witness such a dramatic celestial display.

The eclipse will be visible across parts of Southern Africa, Australia and the Pacific, with Namibia, Botswana and South Africa among the best viewing locations. Antarctica will witness the maximum phase between 09:00 and 12:00 UTC. The annular phase may last up to 2 minutes and 20 seconds along a narrow path stretching about 759 kilometres wide. The eclipse begins at 07:01 UTC. Viewers must use certified solar glasses or indirect viewing methods for safety.

A rare annular solar eclipse will light up the skies on Tuesday, 17 February 2026. During this event, the Moon will pass directly between Earth and the Sun but will not cover it completely. Because the Moon is near its farthest point from Earth, a bright ring of sunlight will remain visible around its silhouette. This striking effect, known as the “Ring of Fire,” offers both a visual spectacle and a valuable scientific opportunity.

An annular solar eclipse happens when the moon moves directly between Earth and the sun during a new moon but is near its farthest point from Earth. Because the moon appears slightly smaller in the sky, it does not fully cover the sun. Instead, a bright ring of sunlight remains visible around the moon, creating the “ring of fire” effect.

Hi and welcome to our live blog covering today’s annular solar eclipse. We’ll bring you the latest updates, timings and viewing details as the stunning “ring of fire” unfolds. From key moments along the path of annularity to expert insights, stay with us for real-time coverage and everything you need to know.