New Delhi, Feb. 9 -- The first solar eclipse of 2026 will be an annular solar eclipse - also known as a "ring of fire". The rare celestial phenomenon will occur on Tuesday, 17 February.

During an annular solar eclipse, which will be a partial eclipse, the moon masks most of the sun, leaving a clear ring of light, and hence the label 'ring of fire' eclipse.

The partial phase will be observable from regions including the southern edge of South America, southern Africa, the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian Oceans, and most of Antarctica. It will not be visible from India.

Simultaneously, the path of the annular eclipse will traverse distant sections of Antarctica and the southern reaches of the Southern Ocean.

It will be witnessed mainly fro...