Everything You Need to Know About the February 2026 Solar Eclipse
Key Takeaways
- The February 17, 2026 eclipse will be an annular solar eclipse, which is when the moon covers most of the sun.
- Most of the path of annularity (where the ring of fire is most visible) will be over remote regions of East Antarctica.
- Partial visibility regions include Antarctica, parts of South Africa, the southern tips of Chile and Argentina, Madagascar, and Mauritius.
- Buy certified-safe eclipse supplies at Rainbow Symphony.
The February 2026 solar eclipse is close on the horizon! On the 17th, the few people (and penguins) in Antarctica who are in the path of annularity will witness a “ring of fire” when the moon obscures most of the sun’s face, causing sunlight to bleed around its edges.
As always, the eclipse experts at Rainbow Symphony are here with the details.
Where Can I Watch the Ring of Fire Eclipse?
Unfortunately, only a fortunate few will get to see the full ring of fire in person, as the path of annularity will only pass through remote regions of East Antarctica.
Unless you know someone at the Concordia Station (French-Italian research base) or Mirny Station (Russian research base), the only way to view the full February 2026 solar eclipse is to get a ticket for a special expedition cruise in the Southern Ocean.
While only 2.17% of the world’s population will be able to see the ring of fire, there are partial visibility regions throughout most of Antarctica, parts of South Africa, the southern tips of Chile and Argentina, Madagascar, and Mauritius.
From those regions, the February 2026 eclipse will look like the sun had a bite taken out of it, creating a crescent shape.
Check here for specific viewing locations: Where will the annular solar eclipse be visible on Feb. 17?
What Time Is the Ring of Fire Eclipse?
If you, like most of the world, plan on watching the February 2026 solar eclipse on a screen, be ready to tune in early if you’re in the United States. The annularity (period of maximum eclipse) begins at 7:12 AM EST (1212 GMT) and will only last for 1 minute and 52 seconds.
Eclipse Safety Is a Must
If you’re one of the lucky few to observe the eclipse in person, you must wear eye protection throughout the entire event. Viewing the sun with naked eyes can and will cause irreversible eye damage.
Here at Rainbow Symphony, we make safety-certified eclipse supplies, including solar eclipse glasses, eclipse viewers, and solar filters for optical devices.
Be ready for the February 2026 solar eclipse with eclipse viewers and glasses that check all the safety boxes:
- Meet the transmission requirements of scale 12-16 of EN 169/1992
- Are "CE" Certified
- Meet the standard for ISO 12312-2:2015.
- Meet the 2012 Transmission Requirements of EN 1836:2005 and AS/NZS 1338.1:1992 for eclipse filters (Queensland Directive).
- Are trusted by the AAS and NASA
- Guarantee absolute protection from potentially harmful solar radiation
Our eclipse glasses also provide a superior view of the February 2026 eclipse. Here’s why:
- Made of scratch-resistant lens materials
- Feature grade-five optical density lenses
- Have black polymer lenses that completely filter out 100% of ultraviolet light, infrared light, and 99.999% of intense visible light
- Produce an orange-colored image of the sun with sharper clarity
Prepare for the February 2026 Solar Eclipse Today
Buy solar eclipse eyewear with 100% confidence, knowing Rainbow Symphony is a trusted company with 50+ years of experience. We can even make custom eclipse glasses with your branding! If you have any questions, check our eclipse safety guide or get in touch.
