A striking annular solar eclipse – often called a “ring of fire” eclipse – will occur over Antarctica on Tuesday, February 17th. While largely unseen by the general public, this event provides a unique opportunity for scientists and researchers stationed on the remote continent.
What is an Annular Solar Eclipse?
During an annular eclipse, the moon passes between the Earth and the sun, but appears smaller in the sky. This happens when the moon is at its furthest point from Earth in its orbit. Instead of completely blocking the sun, it leaves a brilliant ring of sunlight visible around the moon’s dark silhouette. On February 17th, the moon will cover approximately 96% of the sun during this event.
Limited Visibility
The eclipse will be visible within a narrow 383-mile (616 kilometer) path across Antarctica. Observers within this zone could witness the “ring of fire” for up to 2 minutes and 20 seconds. However, the event’s remote location means few people will actually see it.
The only likely human witnesses will be researchers at the Mirny Station (Russia) and the Concordia Station (French/Italian collaboration). These stations are not set up for tourism, making this a spectacle primarily for scientists and, incidentally, the local penguin population. Mirny Station will experience 1 minute, 52 seconds of annularity, while Concordia Station could see the effect for 2 minutes and 9 seconds if weather conditions allow.
Timing and Global View
The eclipse begins at 09:56 UTC (4:46 a.m. EST) with a partial phase visible across Antarctica and parts of southeastern Africa. The annular phase itself occurs between 11:42 UTC and 12:41 UTC (6:42 to 7:42 a.m. EST). Partial eclipses will also be visible from Mozambique, Madagascar, and Mauritius, with 10% to 35% of the sun obscured.
Eclipses Come in Pairs
As is typical, this solar eclipse is paired with a lunar eclipse. On March 3rd, a total lunar eclipse will be visible from East Asia, Australia, New Zealand, parts of the Pacific Ocean, and western North America.
The next annular solar eclipse will occur on February 6, 2027, offering significantly wider visibility across parts of South America and Africa. This event could be seen for up to 7 minutes and 51 seconds in Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin, and Nigeria.
The rarity of this Antarctic eclipse underscores the unique opportunities for scientific observation in extreme environments. While inaccessible to most, it serves as a reminder of the dynamic interplay between Earth, the moon, and the sun.
