Khaberni - The National Institute for Astronomical and Geophysical Research in Egypt has announced that the world is anticipating a rare astronomical phenomenon known as the "annular eclipse" of the sun (Ring of Fire), which will occur on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. This event is particularly significant as it coincides with the night of sighting the hilal (crescent) of the holy month of Ramadan for the year 1447 AH.
In televised statements, Dr. Taha Rabeh, the head of the Institute, mentioned that the eclipse will happen at the end of Sha'ban, aligning timing of its peak with the moment of astronomical conjunction signaling the birth of Ramadan. He explained that the Moon will be positioned directly between the Earth and the Sun, and due to its relative distance from Earth, its diameter will appear smaller than the solar disk, creating a mesmerizing ring of light encircling the dark lunar body.
Key figures of the anticipated eclipse:
- Coverage percentage: The Moon will cover approximately 96.3% of the solar disk.
- Peak duration: The phenomenon of the "Ring of Fire" will last for two minutes and 19.6 seconds.
- Total duration: The event will last from its start to its end approximately 4 hours and 31 minutes.
- Visibility range: The path of the annular eclipse extends a width of 615.2 kilometers, and it appears clearly in the Antarctic continent, while it appears as a partial eclipse in South Africa, Mozambique, Chile, and Argentina, in addition to parts of the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans.
The relationship between the eclipse and the sighting of Ramadan's hilal
Astronomers have resolved the ongoing debate about the impact of the eclipse on the visibility of the hilal, affirming that the solar eclipse serves as a "definitive astronomical evidence" of the occurrence of conjunction and the start of the astronomical month.
Experts clarified that the eclipse will not hinder the sighting of Ramadan's hilal; as the eclipse phenomenon ends before sunset, while the legitimate sighting depends on observing the hilal after the sunset on the day of observation.
While the eclipse represents a "scientific" signal of the birth of the hilal, the "visual sighting" remains the decisive legitimate criterion adopted by the Egyptian Dar al-Ifta and religious institutions in the Arab world.
The scientific explanation of the "annular eclipse"
The annular eclipse occurs when the Moon is in the New Moon phase and at a distant point from the Earth (apogee) within its elliptical orbit, where the distance between the Earth and the Moon ranges from 363,000 to 405,000 kilometers.
This disparity in distance determines the type of eclipse; if the Moon is close, a total eclipse occurs, and if it is as distant as in the upcoming February, the "Ring of Fire" appears.
It is noted that the world will witness another annular eclipse next year, specifically on February 6, 2027, making this period rich in cosmic phenomena that serve astronomical research in refining time calculations and Islamic calendars.
