Overview
- ESA confirmed that its Proba-2 satellite imaged the February 17 annular solar eclipse from orbit, producing distinctive space-based views.
- Proba-2 observed the event at least four times during successive orbits, including a ‘perfect’ ring of fire at 11:31 UTC.
- The spacecraft’s SWAP instrument captured the eclipse in extreme ultraviolet light at 17.4 nm, highlighting solar plasma and coronal structure.
- On Earth, full annularity was confined to Antarctica, with partial phases visible from southern Chile and Argentina as well as southern Africa.
- Scientific reports note the ring was visible for about two minutes at Concordia Station, and agencies reiterated strict solar-viewing safety guidance and flagged upcoming eclipses on August 12, 2026; August 2, 2027; and January 26, 2028.