Solar eclipse 2026: Skywatchers alert! 2026 brings with it two major solar events this year. Coinciding with the Chinese New Year, the first Solar Eclipse of 2025 will be seen in February 2026. Marking the beginning of the Year of the Fire Horse, as per Chinese traditions, the February solar eclipse will only be a partial one.
The annular ‘ring of fire’ solar eclipse will be seen in February 2026. It occurs when the Moon is positioned directly between the Earth and Sun, casting a shadow which partially or fully blocks the sunlight in specific regions of the world. The February 2026 solar eclipse will be at its farthest from Earth, making the moon appear smaller, allowing the sun to appear as a ring of fire around it.
Solar Eclipse February 2026: Can you see it in India?
The first solar eclipse of 2026 will start at 2:30 AM IST on February 17 and remain so till 6:45 AM IST. However, its effect will not be seen in India. Partial views can be witnessed in Antarctica and partially in Southern America’s Chile and South Africa’s Argentina.
Since it is a nighttime event, over the southern hemisphere, skywatchers will not be able to witness the annular ‘ring of fire’ February 2026 solar eclipse in India.
Solar Eclipse on Chinese New Year: Cultural significance
The February 17 eclipse has a rare cultural and astrological significance, as it falls precisely on the Chinese New Year. It was last seen in 1966, which further enhances its significance.
Signifying a cosmic renewal, this celestial rarity aligns with the ‘fire horse’ year, with the ring of fire forming around the moon. As per Chinese mythology, eclipses usually signal transformation and paired with the animal that returns after 60 years, the February 2026 solar eclipse is peculiarly significant. While Fire Horse stands for boldness and passion, the eclipse heightens its ‘wildfire’ spirit.
In fact, the February 2026 solar eclipse will be followed by a total lunar eclipse, which will coincide with the Lantern Blood Moon Festival, creating eclipse bookends for the year.