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Antarctic 'Ring of Fire' Solar Eclipse Arrives Feb. 17, Largely a Partial View for Most

The Moon’s smaller apparent size at apogee will create a bright ring of sunlight rather than totality.

Overview

  • The annular path is a narrow corridor roughly 616 kilometers wide that passes mainly over remote Antarctic regions and surrounding waters.
  • Full annularity will be accessible primarily to Antarctic stations and vessels, with most populated areas experiencing only a partial eclipse.
  • Local forecasts include about 83% coverage near 10:12 local time on King George Island, 11% in Cape Town around 06:17, and roughly 5% in Punta Arenas near 21:08.
  • The maximum annular phase on the centerline is predicted to last about 2 minutes 20.9 seconds, and the event is catalogued as member 75 of Saros cycle 121.
  • Because of the isolation, NASA has not confirmed live on‑site broadcasts, and agencies urge observers to use ISO 12312-2 certified solar filters for eye safety.