Ring of Fire on Feb 17, Blood Moon on March 3: Two spectacular eclipses to light up early 2026 skies

Humanity is set to witness a spectacular sequence of celestial events in early 2026, as the skies prepare to host two rare and visually stunning eclipses within a span of just two weeks. First, there will be an annular solar eclipse, popularly known as the ‘Ring of Fire’ on February 17, followed by a total lunar eclipse, or ‘Blood Moon’ on March 3.

 The first of these events, the annular solar eclipse, will occur when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun but remains too distant to block the Sun’s disc completely.

Ring Of Fire Effect

As a result, a brilliant ring of sunlight will appear around the darkened Moon, creating the dramatic ‘Ring of Fire’ effect. At its peak, nearly 96 percent of the Sun will be covered, with the annular phase lasting for over two minutes.

Also Read: 82 minutes of magic: Rare ‘Blood Moon’ to light up night sky during Total Lunar Eclipse

 The full ring phenomenon will be visible primarily over Antarctica, while a partial solar eclipse will be seen in parts of southern Africa, southern South America, and surrounding oceanic regions. Astronomers have advised viewers to use certified solar viewing equipment, as looking directly at the Sun can cause serious eye damage.

Total Lunar Eclipse

 Just two weeks later, the cosmic spectacle will continue with a total lunar eclipse on March 3. During this event, the Earth will position itself directly between the Sun and the Moon, casting its shadow over the lunar surface. As sunlight filters through Earth’s atmosphere, the Moon will glow in deep red and copper tones, a phenomenon widely known as the Blood Moon. The totality phase is expected to last nearly an hour, making it an ideal event for stargazers and photographers.

 Unlike solar eclipses, lunar eclipses are safe to observe with the naked eye and will be visible across large parts of Asia, Australia, the Pacific, and the Americas, wherever the Moon is above the horizon.