February 6, 2027
On February 6, 2027, an annular solar eclipse traces a long arc from southern South America across the South Atlantic to the coast of West Africa. Because the Moon sits too far from Earth to fully cover the Sun, it never goes dark — instead a brilliant ring of sunlight surrounds the lunar disc, lasting up to 7 minutes and 45 seconds near the point of greatest eclipse. This is one of the longest annular eclipses in years, making it a serious target for eclipse travellers on both sides of the Atlantic.
Where it's visible
The path of annularity crosses Chile, Argentina, Uruguay and southern Brazil before sweeping across the South Atlantic to West Africa, where it passes through Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin and Nigeria. A much wider area of South America, the Atlantic and Africa will see a partial eclipse outside the central band.
What to expect
Along the central path the Sun shrinks to a razor-thin, dazzling ring around the dark disc of the Moon — the classic 'ring of fire' — lasting up to nearly eight minutes near greatest eclipse. The sky dims slightly but never goes dark, and because the Sun is never fully covered, the corona does not appear.
Watching it safely
Because this is an annular eclipse, the Sun is never fully blocked and there is no safe naked-eye moment at any point. Certified ISO 12312-2 eclipse glasses or a solar filter must stay on throughout the entire event — from the first partial phase to the last — and that applies everywhere along the path, including at the peak of the ring. Ordinary sunglasses are never safe.
Common questions
When and where is the February 2027 annular eclipse?
It takes place on February 6, 2027. The path of annularity runs through Chile, Argentina, Uruguay and southern Brazil, then crosses the South Atlantic to Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin and Nigeria in West Africa.
Where can I see the ring of fire?
You need to be inside the central path — somewhere along the track through southern South America or the West African countries listed — to see the full ring. Everywhere else in the broader region will see the Sun only partially covered.
Do I need eclipse glasses for an annular eclipse?
Yes, for the entire event without exception. An annular eclipse never has a safe naked-eye moment because the Sun is never fully covered. Certified ISO 12312-2 eclipse glasses must stay on from start to finish, no matter where you are watching from.
The sooner one: August 12, 2026
Before any of these, a total solar eclipse crosses Iceland and Spain on August 12, 2026. See it for your city →