An annular solar eclipse, dubbed the 'ring of fire,' is set to grace the skies on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. This rare celestial phenomenon occurs when the Moon passes directly between the Earth and the Sun, but is too far away to completely cover the Sun, leaving a bright ring of sunlight visible around the Moon's silhouette. The eclipse will commence its partial phase at approximately 09:56 UTC, reaching its maximum at around 12:12 UTC (which translates to roughly 5:42 PM Indian Standard Time), and concluding by 14:27 UTC. Crucially for an Indian audience, the annular solar eclipse of February 17, 2026, will not be visible from anywhere in India. Although the event coincides with late afternoon to early evening hours in India, the alignment places the entire eclipse below the horizon for observers in the subcontinent, meaning neither the annular nor partial phases will be observable. Instead, the path of annularity, where the spectacular 'ring of fire' can be witnessed, is limited to a remote region of Antarctica. Viewers in other parts of Antarctica, along with southern Africa (including countries like South Africa, Mozambique, and Madagascar) and the southernmost regions of South America (such as parts of Argentina and Chile), will experience a partial solar eclipse. Astronomy enthusiasts worldwide who cannot witness the event directly may still be able to follow it via international live broadcasts.