Surya Grahan 2026
There will be two solar eclipses in 2026. This year will be quite exciting from an astronomical perspective, as it will feature both a “ring of fire” and a “total solar eclipse.”
Here’s a complete breakdown of the 2026 solar eclipses:
1. First Solar Eclipse: February 17, 2026 (Annular)
This will be the first solar eclipse of the year. It is called a ‘ring of fire’ (annular solar eclipse) because the Moon appears to be in the center of the Sun, causing the outer part of the Sun to appear like a glowing ring.
Indian Time (IST): 3:26 PM to 7:57 PM. Visibility in India: This eclipse will not be visible in India.
Key Areas: Visible in Antarctica, South Africa, and parts of South America.
Sutak Period: Since it will not be visible in India, there will be no Sutak period and no restrictions on religious activities.
2. Second Solar Eclipse: August 12, 2026 (Total Solar Eclipse)
This eclipse in August will be a total solar eclipse, where the Moon will completely cover the Sun, causing darkness during the day.
Key Area: It will be visible primarily in Greenland, Iceland, Spain, Russia, and parts of Portugal.
Visibility in India: This eclipse will also not be visible in India.
Speciality: This will be the first total solar eclipse in Europe in many years, and a large number of tourists are planning to visit Spain and Iceland to witness it.
Solar Eclipse 2026 at a GlanceDate TypeVisibility in India Main Location February 17, 2026 Annular (Ring of Fire)NoAntarctica, South Africa August 12, 2026 Total NoIceland, Spain, Greenland