Solar eclipse 2026: Where, when and how to watch it? 

Discover how, when, and where to watch the annular solar eclipse on February 17, 2026, across various regions.

The first solar eclipse of 2026 will occur on Tuesday, February 17. It will be an ‘annular solar eclipse’ and the world is eagerly awaiting the celestial event. 

Here’s all you need to know about it.

A solar eclipse is when the Sun, Moon and Earth are in alignment and the Moon passes directly between the Sun and Earth, casting a shadow on our planet and blocking some of the fiery ball’s light.

 The configuration of the three celestial bodies is called a syzygy by scientists

An annular solar eclipse occurs when the Moon is near its farthest point from Earth. Because it is smaller than the Sun, it doesn’t cover it completely leaving a thin., bright outer ring of sunlight visible called the ‘Ring of Fire.’

Other types of solar eclipses include the total, in which the Moon perfectly covers the Sun and for a few minutes the day sky turns completely dark. There is also a partial solar eclipse in which the Moon is not in alignment and only a part of it covers the Sun, making the appearance as if a “bite” of the Sun has been eaten away.