Solar Eclipse 2026 : Only two months are left for the year 2025 to end. The countdown has begun, and interest in 2026 is growing. People are wondering when will the eclipses happen next year? Do you know when the first eclipse of 2026 will occur, and which eclipse it will be? It is worth noting that a solar eclipse was observed in India in 2025 and this is one of the major reasons why people are eager to know about solar and lunar eclipses in the next year. Let us tell you which will be the first eclipse of 2026 and will it be visible in India.
When will the first eclipse occur in 2026?
The first eclipse in 2026 will be a solar eclipse. A spectacular eclipse will be visible in the sky on February 17, the second month of the new year. However, this will be an eclipse that will not be visible in India. It will be a circular solar eclipse, meaning a circle of fire will be visible around the sun during the eclipse.
When and where will the first solar eclipse of 2026 be visible?
On February 17, 2026, a partial solar eclipse will be visible from Antarctica, Southeast Africa, the southern tip of South America, and parts of the Pacific, Indian, Atlantic, and Southern Oceans.
The path of the solar eclipse will extend approximately 4,282 km from Antarctica and then end across the Davis Sea. At Concordia Station, a French-Italian base located within the continent, the eclipse’s circular phase will begin at 11:46 UTC and last 2 minutes and 1 second.
Additionally, the event will be visible at the Mirny station in Russia at 12:07 UTC, where the circular phase will last 1 minute 52 seconds.
Outside the circular path, a partial solar eclipse will be visible over a wide area. People in South Africa, parts of South America and the southern Indian Ocean will see the sun partially obscured. However, even in these areas, change will be subtle. In some cities, only 3% of the sun will be visible.
The second solar eclipse of 2026 will occur on August 12, 2026. It will be a total solar eclipse and will also not be visible in India.