where can you see the ring of fire eclipse
You can see the upcoming “ring of fire” eclipse (the annular solar eclipse of February 17, 2026) only from a very limited part of the world, with the best views in remote Antarctica and partial views in parts of the Southern Hemisphere.
Where you can see the full “ring of fire”
The true annular phase (the glowing ring) will only be visible along a narrow path across remote regions of Antarctica and nearby ocean.
Key locations on that path include:
- Concordia Station, Antarctica
- Mirny Station, Antarctica
- Surrounding parts of coastal and inland Antarctica, plus adjacent Southern Ocean waters
From these stations, the ring of fire lasts up to about 2 minutes, with the Sun very low above the horizon, making it dramatic but hard to observe.
Where you can see a partial eclipse
Outside the narrow “ring of fire” path, a partial solar eclipse will be visible over a much wider area.
Regions with partial visibility include:
- Much of Antarctica (outside the central annular track)
- Southeastern Africa (for example Durban in South Africa, Antananarivo in Madagascar, Maputo in Mozambique, with roughly 12–20% of the Sun covered)
- Southern tip of South America
- Southern Indian Ocean islands like Reunion, Mauritius, and Heard Island
If you are not in Antarctica or the far south of Africa/South America, you will likely need to watch via livestreams from observatories and research stations.
Simple overview table
Here’s a quick at-a-glance guide to where can you see the ring of fire eclipse most directly:
| Type of view | Regions | What you see |
|---|---|---|
| Full “ring of fire” (annular) | Concordia & Mirny stations and nearby areas in remote Antarctica | [5][7][9][1][3]Thin bright ring around the Moon for up to ~2 minutes, Sun very low on horizon | [9][1][3][5]
| Partial eclipse (noticeable but not a full ring) | Much of Antarctica; southeastern Africa; southern tip of South America; islands like Reunion, Mauritius, Heard Island | [7][1][3][5][9]Moon takes a “bite” out of the Sun, about 10–20% coverage in many cities | [1][7]
| Online only | Most of the world (including Europe, North America, most of Asia) | [3][5][9]View via livestreams and broadcasts from Antarctic stations and professional telescopes | [5][9][3]
Safety and viewing tips
Even though this is a “ring of fire” and not a total eclipse, it is never safe to look at the Sun without proper solar filters during any part of an annular eclipse.
Use ISO‑certified eclipse glasses or indirect methods (like a pinhole projector), and follow local observatory or space‑agency safety guidance.
Why this one is so hard to see
Astronomers note that this 2026 event is unusually inaccessible because the path of annularity lies over one of the most remote and harsh regions on Earth, so only scientists and dedicated eclipse chasers are likely to see it in person. A more widely visible annular eclipse is expected on February 6, 2027, crossing parts of South America and Africa, which will offer a better opportunity for the general public.
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.