Published: 16 February 2026India TV NewsEnvironment
Annular Solar Eclipse on February 17: 'Ring of Fire' Not Visible in India
The first solar eclipse of 2026 — an annular eclipse with a magnitude of 0.963 — occurred on February 17, lasting approximately 4 hours and 32 minutes from 3:26 PM to 7:57 PM IST. However, the 'Ring of Fire' was not visible from India; the annular path passed over parts of southern Africa, Antarctica, Chile, and Argentina.
An annular solar eclipse occurs when the Moon's apparent diameter is smaller than the Sun's, allowing the Sun to appear as a bright ring (annulus) around the Moon's silhouette. Since the eclipse was not visible in India, the Sutak Kaal (inauspicious period) was not considered applicable according to religious traditions. The next solar eclipse visible from India will be an annular eclipse on August 12, 2026.
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Q: Distinguish between an annular and a total solar eclipse. Why was the February 17, 2026 annular solar eclipse not visible from India?
Answer (50 words):
An annular eclipse occurs when the Moon's apparent diameter is smaller than the Sun's, creating a bright ring. The February 17, 2026 event, magnitude 0.963, traversed southern Africa, Antarctica, Chile and Argentina; India fell outside the annular path, making the Sutak Kaal inapplicable. India's next eclipse falls August 12, 2026.
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Linked questionMedium
Jammu & Kashmir won their maiden Ranji Trophy title in February 2026 by defeating which team?
Explanation · Correct answer DJ&K defeated eight-time champions Karnataka by 291-run first-innings lead at the KSCA Rajnagar Stadium in Hubballi. It was J&K's first-ever final in 67 years of participation.
Frequently asked questions
What was the **Annular Solar Eclipse** of **February 17 2026** and was it visible in India?
The **Annular Solar Eclipse** occurred on **February 17, 2026** but the **'Ring of Fire' was not visible in India**; it was visible from Antarctica and the southern hemisphere path of annularity.
What is an **annular solar eclipse** and how is it different from a total eclipse?
An **annular solar eclipse** occurs when the Moon is near apogee and appears smaller than the Sun, leaving a bright **'Ring of Fire'** ring of sunlight visible around it, unlike a total eclipse.
Why was the **Ring of Fire solar eclipse February 2026** not visible in India?
The **annular eclipse path** on February 17, 2026 passed through **Antarctica and sub-Antarctic regions**, far from India's latitude, making the ring of fire effect not observable from India.
How does the Moon's position cause an **annular solar eclipse**?
An **annular eclipse** occurs when the Moon is at **apogee** (farthest point from Earth in its orbit), making its apparent diameter smaller than the Sun's, leaving the solar ring exposed.
What safety precautions are needed to observe an **annular solar eclipse**?
Unlike a total eclipse, an **annular eclipse** never has a safe period for naked-eye viewing; **ISO-certified eclipse glasses** must be worn throughout as the Sun's disc is always exposed.
