Asif Iqbal
Srinagar, Feb 16 (GNS): The Meteorological Department in Srinagar on Monday said that the annular solar eclipse scheduled for February 17, 2026, will not be visible from Kashmir.
In an official statement, the MeT office, as per GNS, said the eclipse will be visible in the southern hemisphere beginning at 4:26 PM on February 17, 2026, and will not be observed from any part of Jammu and Kashmir.
Astronomical data says that the February 17 event is an annular solar eclipse, often described as a “Ring of Fire” eclipse. Notably, a solar eclipse occurs when the Moon moves between the Earth and the Sun, partially obstructing sunlight and casting a shadow on specific regions of the Earth. In the case of an annular eclipse, the Moon does not completely cover the Sun at maximum phase, resulting in a bright ring of sunlight visible around the lunar silhouette.
According to global eclipse projections, the path of annularity will largely pass over Antarctica. A partial eclipse will be visible in select areas of the southern hemisphere, including southern parts of South America and Africa. India lies outside the eclipse path, and no phase of the event will be observable from the country, including Jammu and Kashmir.
Although the eclipse will occur during late afternoon to evening hours in Indian Standard Time, there will be no perceptible change in the Sun’s appearance over Kashmir.
The Meteorological Department has in the meantime advised residents to rely on official sources for accurate information and not to be influenced by unverified claims circulating on social media. Officials reiterated that the February 17 eclipse will have no visual impact in the Valley.
Astronomical forecasts however indicate that a future solar eclipse will be visible from parts of India on a later date. (GNS)
