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"When is the next solar eclipse?"
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The next solar eclipse after today (10 Dec 2025) is an annular eclipse on 17 Feb 2026, visible across parts of the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean.

Quick Facts
  • 17 Feb 2026 – annular eclipse, Americas & Atlantic visibility
  • 12 Aug 2026 – total eclipse, visible from Greenland, Iceland, Spain, Russia, Portugal
  • 2 Aug 2027 – longest total eclipse of the next century (≈6 min)
AI Consensus
Models Agreed
  • Both models list an annular eclipse on 17 Feb 2026 as an upcoming event [1][2].
  • Both mention a total eclipse on 12 Aug 2026 visible from Greenland, Iceland, Spain, Russia, and Portugal [1][2].
  • Both note the 2 Aug 2027 total eclipse, which will be the longest of the next 100 years [3][4].
Points of Debate
  • The llama model claims the “next” eclipse is 20 Apr 2023, which is already past; the gpt_oss model correctly identifies the next future eclipse as 17 Feb 2026 given the current date [7][1].

When is the next solar eclipse?

As of 10 December 2025, the next solar eclipse that will be observable from Earth is an annular eclipse on 17 February 2026.

  • Type: Annular (the Moon will appear slightly smaller than the Sun, leaving a “ring of fire”).
  • Visibility: Parts of the United States, Central America, the Caribbean, northern South America, and the Atlantic Ocean 12.

Upcoming eclipses after 17 Feb 2026

Date Type Main visibility zones
12 August 2026 Total Greenland, Iceland, northern Spain, western Russia, and a small part of Portugal 12
2 August 2027 Total (longest of the century) Arctic, Greenland, Iceland, Spain, Portugal, and parts of northern Africa; totality lasts over 6 minutes 34

How to watch safely

  • Never look directly at the Sun without proper solar filters (eclipse glasses or a certified solar projector).
  • Use ISO‑certified eclipse glasses that meet the ISO 12312‑2 standard.
  • For an annular eclipse, the Sun is never completely covered, so filters are required for the entire event.
  • For a total eclipse, you may remove filters only during the brief period of totality, but keep them handy for the partial phases.

Quick reference

Event Date Type Best‑view locations
Next eclipse 17 Feb 2026 Annular Americas, Atlantic
Next total eclipse 12 Aug 2026 Total Greenland, Iceland, Spain, Russia, Portugal
Longest total eclipse of the century 2 Aug 2027 Total Arctic, Greenland, Iceland, Spain, Portugal

All dates and visibility information are drawn from NASA’s eclipse catalog and the Time & Date eclipse database. 1234

AI can make mistakes. Verify important information.
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Best City (or Cities) to View the February 17 2026 Annular Solar Eclipse

The annular solar eclipse of 17 February 2026 will trace a narrow band that crosses the southern tip of South America before moving over the Southern Ocean and Antarctica. The longest duration of the “ring‑of‑fire” occurs near the central line of the eclipse path, which runs through the far‑southern regions of Chile and Argentina.

1. Primary Viewing Locations

City (Country) Approx. Duration of Annularity* Local Time of Maximum Why It’s Ideal
Punta Arenas (Chile) ≈ 4 min 30 s ~06:30 a.m. (UTC‑3) Directly on the central line; good airport (PPG), hotels, and clear winter skies.
Ushuaia (Argentina) ≈ 4 min 20 s ~06:45 a.m. (UTC‑3) Near the central line, excellent tourism infrastructure, and historically low cloud cover in February.
Puerto Natales (Chile) ≈ 4 min 10 s ~06:40 a.m. (UTC‑3) Close to the central line, scenic surroundings, and easy access via Punta Arenas airport.

*Durations are based on NASA’s eclipse‑path calculations for a point on the central line; exact times may vary by a few seconds depending on exact location.

2. Secondary Good‑Viewing Options

If you cannot reach the primary cities, other nearby towns also lie within the annular band and will experience a slightly shorter phase (≈ 3 min 30 s–4 min):

  • Río Grande, Chile (near the border with Argentina)
  • Porvenir, Chile (on the island of Tierra del Fuego)
  • Cerro Castor, Argentina (high‑altitude site with minimal light pollution)

3. Practical Planning Tips

Aspect Recommendation
Travel & Accommodation Book flights to Punta Arenas International Airport (PPG) early; the city offers a range of hotels and hostels. Ushuaia’s Malvinas Argentinas Airport (USH) is another gateway with ample lodging.
Viewing Site Choose an open area with an unobstructed horizon: airport runways, coastal parks, or high‑altitude viewpoints near the city.
Weather Monitoring February is the Southern Hemisphere’s late summer; historically, Punta Arenas enjoys ~70 % clear‑sky days. Check the Chile Meteorological Service 48 h before the event for up‑to‑date cloud forecasts.
Safety Gear Use ISO 12312‑2 certified solar viewing glasses for the whole eclipse. Solar filters for telescopes or cameras are also required.
Timing The eclipse begins in the early morning; be ready by 06:00 a.m. local time to allow setup and acclimatization.
Local Events Both Punta Arenas and Ushuaia host organized eclipse‑watch programs (often coordinated by local universities and tourism boards). Check municipal websites for schedules.

4. Why the U.S. Cities Mentioned in Other Answers Are Not Optimal

  • Albuquerque, New Mexico, Miami, and Key West are outside the eclipse’s annular path for 2026. They will only see a partial solar eclipse, not the “ring‑of‑fire.”
  • The confusion likely arises from mixing up the 2024 total solar eclipse (visible in the U.S.) with the 2026 annular event.

Therefore, for a true annular experience, travel to the Southern South American central line is essential.

5. Quick Checklist for Your Eclipse Trip

  • Confirm flight and lodging in Punta Arenas or Ushuaia (book ≥ 6 months ahead).
  • Purchase ISO‑certified solar glasses (extra pair for safety).
  • Download a reliable weather app (e.g., MeteoChile) for real‑time cloud updates.
  • Pack warm clothing (early morning temperatures can be near 0 °C).
  • Arrive at the chosen viewing spot by 06:00 a.m. local time.

Enjoy a spectacular view of the 2026 February annular solar eclipse from the world’s southernmost front‑row seats!

All times are given in local time (UTC‑3). Adjust accordingly if you travel to a different time zone.

AI can make mistakes. Verify important information.
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What “it” Might Mean

Your query “what city is best to see it?” does not specify what “it” refers to—whether you’re after historic sites, natural scenery, nightlife, food, or a specific event. Clarifying this will let us tailor a recommendation to your interests.

General Top‑Rated Cities (If “it” Means a Great Travel Experience)

United States

Rank City Why It’s Popular
1 New York City Iconic landmarks (Statue of Liberty, Central Park), world‑class museums, diverse food scene, vibrant nightlife [1][5][9]
2 Chicago Renowned for architecture, deep‑dish pizza, museums, lakefront parks, and music venues [9]
3 San Francisco Unique neighborhoods, Golden Gate Bridge, proximity to wine country and coastal scenery [1][8]
4 Los Angeles Hollywood, beaches, cultural districts, and access to natural parks [4][5]
5 Miami Beaches, Art Deco historic district, Latin‑American culture, nightlife [4][5]

International Highlights

If you’re looking beyond the U.S., travel rankings consistently place Rome, Tokyo, and London at the top of global lists for history, culture, and overall visitor satisfaction [6].

How to Choose the Best City for “It”

  1. Historical & Cultural Sites – Rome, Paris, Kyoto, or Washington, D.C.
  2. Nature & Outdoor Activities – Denver (Rocky Mountains), Vancouver, Cape Town, or Seattle.
  3. Food & Culinary Scenes – New York City, Barcelona, Bangkok, or Osaka.
  4. Nightlife & Entertainment – Las Vegas, Berlin, Rio de Janeiro, or New Orleans.

Provide a bit more detail about what you want to “see,” and we can narrow the list to the perfect city for your trip.

Quick Takeaway

AI can make mistakes. Verify important information.