Overview
- Annularity will be confined to Antarctica on February 17, with partial phases in southern Argentina and Chile and parts of southern Africa including South Africa, Madagascar and Lesotho.
- The eclipse begins around 09:56 UTC, reaches maximum near 12:12 UTC, and the annular phase lasts about 2 minutes 20 seconds.
- Most of the world, including India and much of the Northern Hemisphere, will not see the event and will rely on livestreams from space agencies and observatories.
- Experts warn against unprotected viewing and advise ISO 12312-2–compliant eclipse glasses or proper solar filters for cameras and telescopes, with indirect methods recommended as alternatives.
- A separate total solar eclipse on August 12 will cross northern Russia, Greenland, Iceland and northern Spain, offering broader viewing opportunities later in the year.