Solar Eclipse (Surya Grahan) 2026: Year’s first annular solar eclipse ends

Solar Eclipse (Surya Grahan) 2026: The year’s first solar eclipse has ended. The annular eclipse was observable from Antarctica, and other parts in the Southern Hemisphere, according to NASA. The rare annular event, during which the Moon will pass over the Sun’s centre, will create a bright “Ring of Fire” effect. The next solar eclipse will occur on August 12. That will be a total solar eclipse. Where the February 17, 2026 solar eclipse will be visible: According to NASA, the annular eclipse will be observable from Antarctica. The agency noted that while the full annular phase will be limited to Antarctica, a partial eclipse will also be visible across Africa, South America, the Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Indian Ocean. Can I see the February 17 eclipse from India? The annular eclipse will not be seen from India. However, viewers there can still watch it live through NASA’s broadcast. Apart from NASA, other space agencies and universities will also live stream the event. At peak, up to 96 per cent of the Sun’s centre will be covered, producing the ring effect for as long as 2 minutes and 20 seconds. The eclipse is likely to begin at 0956 GMT (3:26 PM IST) and conclude at 1427 GMT (7:57 PM IST) on February 17. The year’s first solar eclipse has ended. The next — a total solar eclipse — will occur on August 12. The next solar eclipse will occur on August 12. That will be a total solar eclipse. According to NASA, the celestial event will be visible from Greenland, Iceland, Spain, Russia, and parts of Portugal. Other parts of Europe, Africa, and North America, the Atlantic Ocean, Arctic Ocean, and Pacific Ocean will be able to see a partial eclipse. In a total solar eclipse, the Moon completely covers the Sun, casting a dark central shadow (umbra) on Earth, allowing the corona to be visible. In an annular solar eclipse, which occurred today, the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, but it is at or near its farthest point from Earth. "Because the Moon is farther away from Earth, it appears smaller than the Sun and does not completely cover the Sun. As a result, the Moon appears as a dark disk on top of a larger, bright disk, creating what looks like a ring around the Moon," NASA wrote. During this eclipse, up to 96 per cent of the Sun’s centre was covered at its peak, viewed from Antarctica. The annular phase is nearing its end as the Moon moves away from the Sun. The annular solar eclipse has reached its peak in South Africa. According to the North-West University -- an institute livestreaming the eclipse -- the phenomenon is scheduled to peak from 15:09 to 15:10 SAST (18:39-18:40 IST) across South Africa. The varisty said the eclipse will be noticeably deeper in the country’s KwaZulu-Natal province with around 16% coverage in places such as Durban. While the full phase will be limited to Antarctica this year, a partial eclipse will also be visible across Africa, South America, the Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Indian Ocean. (Credit: Screenshot/@SASpaceAgency) The annular solar eclipse has reportedly reached its peak in Antarctica. Outside this region, the eclipse is partial or invisible. The North-West University (South Africa), which is live-stream the annular solar eclipse, has its Solar Observatory located in Potchefstroom, which will record a 7.43% eclipse. The maximum eclipse at this spot will be recorded at 15:09 SAST (18:39 IST). According to the institute, the eclipse will be noticeably deeper in the country's KwaZulu-Natal province -- around 16% coverage in places such as Durban. The North-West University Solar Observatory (South Africa) will live-stream the annular solar eclipse on its YouTube channel for viewers worldwide. The stream will begin at 5:45 pm (IST). South Africa is among the few countries that will see the bright “Ring of Fire” effect this year. According to NASA, the full annular phase will be limited to Antarctica, and the partial eclipse will be visible across Africa, South America, the Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Indian Ocean. An annular solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes in front of the Sun. It is different from a total solar eclipse, which plunges parts of the Earth into midday darkness. However, unlike a total solar eclipse, an annular solar eclipse does not cover the Earth completely. Instead, a brilliant ‘ring of fire’ will typically emerge around the Moon’s silhouette. Note, annular means ring and skywatchers of the annular solar eclipse will see a partial one when viewed from either side. To be sure, it is not safe to view the annular solar eclipse with the naked eye. Solar and lunar eclipse come in pairs: Scientists believe that eclipses always come in pairs. Two weeks after the annular solar eclipse, a total lunar eclipse is set to unfold and will reportedly be seen across North America, including the United States. The year’s first solar eclipse began at 0956 GMT (3:26 PM IST) and will conclude at 1427 GMT (7:57 PM IST), lasting 4 hours and 31 minutes. At its peak, up to 96 per cent of the Sun’s centre will be covered, producing the ‘ring of fire’ effect for as long as 2 minutes and 20 seconds. Solar eclipses can have an impact on the Earth’s upper atmosphere – the ionosphere. Ionization Changes: Ionization is the process in which an atom or molecule becomes charged when it gains or loses electrons. Solar radiation is a primary source of ionization in the ionosphere.During a solar eclipse, the reduction in solar radiation leads to a decrease in ionization, causing a temporary drop in the density of electrons in the ionosphere. Temperature Changes: The decrease in solar radiation during an eclipse can also lead to cooling of the upper atmosphere, potentially causing changes in ionospheric densities and altitudes. Effects on radio waves: The altered ionospheric conditions during an eclipse can change how radio waves propagate through the ionosphere, affecting shortwave, radio signals, GPS navigation systems, and satellite communication systems. The 'partial phase' of the year’s first solar eclipse has begun. According to NASA, the annular eclipse will be observable from Antarctica. A partial eclipse will also be visible across Africa, South America, the Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Indian Ocean. It will not be visible from India. A ‘ring of fire’ might be visible from parts of South Africa, one of only a few countries that will see the phenomenon this year. The duration when the process of solar eclipse, or surya grahan, is active is known as Sutak. This duration is considered inauspicious in Hindu tradition because the Sun, representing the life-giving force and soul, is temporarily overpowered by 'negative, shadowy energy', traditionally associated with the demon Rahu. Spiritually, it is believed that the Sun is the life source, or source of prana (life force). Hence, and its blockage is believed to contaminate food, water, and air. This has given rise to beliefs that prohibit eating, cooking, sleeping, or using sharp objects during the event. The belief is based on ancient belief that reduced exposure to sunlight increases microbial activity in food. However, the belief is based on tradition and not credible scientific data. The only scientific reason to avoid certain activities, especially outdoors, is the risk of damaging eyes (solar retinopathy) by directly looking at the sun during an eclipse. The next solar eclipse will occur on August 12. That will be a total solar eclipse. According to NASA, the celestial event will be visible from Greenland, Iceland, Spain, Russia, and parts of Portugal. Other parts of Europe, Africa, and North America, the Atlantic Ocean, Arctic Ocean, and Pacific Ocean will be able to see a partial eclipse. In Hindu mythology, solar eclipses are explained through the legend of 'Rahu' and 'Ketu'. During the Samudra Manthan (the churning of the ocean of milk), amrit (the nectar of immortality) was being distributed among the gods. A demon named Svarbhanu disguised himself as a god to steal a sip. However, the Sun (Surya) and the Moon (Chandra) spotted the deception and alerted Lord Vishnu. Before the nectar could pass Svarbhanu's throat, Vishnu used his Sudarshana Chakra to behead the demon. Because the nectar had already touched his lips, both halves remained immortal: the head became Rahu and the body became Ketu. Seeking revenge, Rahu, till date, chases the sun and the moon and "swallows" them to dim their light. However, because he has no body, the celestial beings eventually "fall" out of his severed neck, ending the eclipse A solar eclipse is a celestial alignment that occurs when the Moon passes directly between the Earth and the Sun. Due to this movement the sun's light is momentarily obscured from a part of the earth. This phenomenon only happens during the New Moon phase, when the Moon is positioned on the same side of the Earth as the Sun. However, because the Moon's orbit is tilted about 5° relative to Earth's orbit around the Sun, they don't align perfectly every month. When they do line up, the Moon casts a two-part shadow on Earth: the umbra, a small dark core where a total eclipse is visible, and the penumbra, a larger outer shadow where a partial eclipse can be seen. The full annular solar eclipse will be visible from Antarctica and a partial eclipse will be observable from Africa, South America, the Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Indian Ocean. India will not be able to see the 'Ring of Fire' created by the solar eclipse. However, people in India can view the eclipse via the live broadcasts by NASA and various universities and other space agencies. The annular solar eclipse is occurring on 'amavasya tithi', which is the new moon day in the Hindu lunar calendar. The amavasya tithi will start at 5:34 PM today and end at 5:30 PM tomorrow. The snan or bathing time in Hindu households observing restrictions will be limited to 5:16 AM to 6:07 AM. The annular solar eclipse is scheduled to begin today at 0956 GMT (3:26 PM IST). It will continue for around 3.5 hours and end at at 1427 GMT (7:57 PM IST). At its peak, up to 96 per cent of the Sun’s centre will be covered, producing the ring effect for around 2 minutes and 20 seconds. In India, a solar eclipse — or Surya Grahan — is way more than an isolated astronomical rarity. While astronomers view the 'Ring of Fire' as a precise orbital alignment, many Hindu households observe the Sutak Kaal, a sensitive and "inauspicious" period in Hindu tradition starting 12 hours before a solar eclipse. This cultural belief is associated with the myth of Rahu and Ketu. Customs like fasting, temple closures, and post-eclipse ritual baths to "purify" the home. Although today's eclipse will not be visible from India, many households may still observe the restrictions as a connection to the larger universe. There are three major eclipses expected in 2026. Check out the dates below: March 3: A total lunar eclipse will be visible across Asia, Australia, the Pacific Islands, and the Americas. August 12: A total solar eclipse will be visible in Greenland, Iceland, Spain, Russia, and a small part of Portugal, with a partial eclipse seen across Europe, Africa, North America, the Atlantic Ocean, the Arctic Ocean, and the Pacific Ocean. August 27–28: A partial lunar eclipse will be visible in the Americas, Europe, Africa, and Western Asia. The year's first solar eclipse is taking place today. It will be an annular solar eclipse and not a total solar eclipse. Total and annular solar eclipses differ based on the Moon's distance from Earth, which affects its apparent size. A total eclipse occurs when the Moon is closer to Earth, fully blocking the Sun, while an annular eclipse happens when the Moon is farther, creating a "ring of fire"