Surya Grahan 2026: First Solar Eclipse of the Year to Occur Next Week, ‘Ring of Fire’ Visibility In India

The first Surya Grahan (Solar Eclipse) of 2026 is set to take place next week on February 17. The celestial event will be an annular Solar Eclipse, popularly known as the "Ring of Fire", when the Moon covers most of the Sun but leaves a bright circular edge visible.

However, the dramatic ring effect will not be visible from India.

What Is Special About This Eclipse?

An annular Solar Eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun but appears slightly smaller than the Sun in the sky. As a result, it does not completely block sunlight. Instead, a glowing ring forms around the Moon at peak alignment.

Along the narrow central path, nearly 96% of the Sun will be covered for about two minutes and 20 seconds. Unlike a total eclipse, daylight will not turn into darkness, but the light may appear dimmer and shadows can look sharper.

Where Will the 'Ring of Fire' Be Visible?

The annular phase will be visible mainly over Antarctica and parts of the Southern Ocean. Scientific research stations in Antarctica will have some of the best viewing conditions.

In other parts of the Southern Hemisphere, including sections of southern Africa and southern South America, only a partial Solar Eclipse will be visible. In these regions, the Moon will appear to take a "bite" out of the Sun, but a full ring will not form.

Will Surya Grahan 2026 Be Visible in India?

No. The February 17 Solar Eclipse will not be visible in India. The event will occur when the Sun is below the horizon across the Indian subcontinent, making it impossible to view either the annular or partial phases directly.

Indian skywatchers can follow the event through live streams hosted by observatories and space agencies.

Timings of Surya Grahan 2026 (UTC)

The eclipse will unfold over several hours:

Partial eclipse begins: 09:56 UTC

Maximum eclipse: 12:12 UTC

Partial eclipse ends: 14:27 UTC

The entire event will last approximately 271 minutes from first contact to last.

Astronomers warn that an annular Solar Eclipse is never safe to view with the naked eye. Since the Sun is never completely covered, harmful radiation continues to reach observers. Certified solar viewing glasses or indirect viewing methods must be used in regions where the eclipse is visible.

While India will miss the visual spectacle this time, the February 17 Surya Grahan remains a significant astronomical event, marking the first Solar Eclipse of 2026 and offering a rare "Ring of Fire" view for observers in Antarctica and nearby regions.