Annular solar eclipse 2026: A rare phenomenon coinciding with the crescent moon of Ramadan
The head of the Jeddah Astronomical Society, Engineer Majid Abu Zahra, revealed details of an exceptional astronomical event that the world is anticipating on Tuesday, February 17, 2026: an annular solar eclipse known as the "ring of light" phenomenon. This event is unique because it coincides astronomically with the conjunction of the crescent moon of Ramadan in the year 1447 AH, giving it dual scientific and temporal significance.
The mechanism of the "ring of light" phenomenon and the difference between it and a total solar eclipse
Abu Zahra explained that an annular eclipse is an astronomical phenomenon that occurs when the new moon passes between the Earth and the sun. However, because the moon is at its apogee (its farthest point from Earth in its elliptical orbit), its apparent size is about 2.2% smaller than average. As a result, the moon cannot completely cover the sun's disk as it does in a total eclipse, but only obscures its center, leaving the sun's edges illuminated as a glowing ring surrounding the moon, which is called the "ring of light.".
Coincidence with the crescent moon of Ramadan and the timing of the event
This phenomenon holds particular significance in the Islamic calendar, as the head of the Jeddah Astronomical Society indicated that the moon will reach its conjunction for the holy month of Ramadan at 3:01 PM Saudi time, marking the end of one synodic cycle and the beginning of a new one. This moment coincides almost exactly with the peak of the annular eclipse, which will occur at 3:12 PM. Despite this precise astronomical alignment, Abu Zahra emphasized that determining the start of Ramadan in Saudi Arabia remains subject to the official sighting of the new moon and the announcement made by the Supreme Court.
Eclipse path and areas of limited visibility
Geographically, this eclipse is a distinctly "polar" event, as the path of the annular eclipse will pass through remote and extremely cold regions of Antarctica and the surrounding oceans. This means that viewing the "ring of light" with the naked eye will be limited to a very small number of scientists and researchers at stations such as the Franco-Italian Concordia and the Russian Mirny. As for Saudi Arabia and the rest of the Arab world, the eclipse will not be visible and will only be observed via live broadcasts from space agencies and observatories worldwide.
Astronomical figures for the phenomenon
According to precise astronomical calculations, the entire eclipse will last approximately 4 hours and 31 minutes. The partial eclipse will begin globally (Saudi Arabia time) at 12:56 PM, with the annular phase starting at 2:42 PM. At the peak of the event, the moon will obscure about 96% of the sun's disk, while the path of the annular shadow will be approximately 616 kilometers wide. The full, bright ring phase will last no more than 2 minutes and 20 seconds at the best viewing locations.
Scientific significance of the event
This event serves as a stark reminder of the regularity of celestial motion and the precision of astronomical calculations that allow scientists to predict such phenomena for years and decades to come. It also presents an opportunity for scientists in Antarctica to study the layers of the Sun's atmosphere and the effects of a sudden decrease in solar radiation on Earth's atmosphere in those remote regions.
