The next “ring of fire” solar eclipse will occur on 17 February 2026.

Quick Scoop

  • The event is an annular solar eclipse , nicknamed the “ring of fire” because the Moon covers most, but not all, of the Sun, leaving a thin bright ring.
  • Maximum eclipse happens around 12:11–12:12 UTC (morning in Europe/Africa time zones).
  • The full ring of fire will only be visible along a narrow path over remote parts of Antarctica and the Southern Ocean.
  • A partial solar eclipse will be visible from southern Africa, the southern tip of South America, and the wider Antarctic region.

Why it matters now

  • This is the first solar eclipse of 2026 , making it a big date on astronomy calendars.
  • Because the main path crosses Antarctica , most people will have to rely on livestreams and observatory feeds rather than seeing it overhead.

If you’re not in southern Africa, far-southern South America, or on/near Antarctica on 17 February 2026, your best bet will be to watch an official live broadcast of the event.

TL;DR: When is the ring of fire eclipse?
→ 17 February 2026 , with the true “ring of fire” visible only from a narrow path over Antarctica, and a partial eclipse for parts of southern Africa and South America.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.