Topline
A rare celestial convergence will occur on Feb. 17, 2026, when an “ring of fire” annular solar eclipse results from the same new moon that signals the beginning of the Chinese Lunar New Year (the Year of the Fire Horse) and, 24 hours later, the beginning of the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan.
The Annular Solar Eclipse occurs on January 15, 2010 in Qingdao, Shandong Province of China. (Photo by Visual China Group via Getty Images)
Visual China Group via Getty Images
Key Facts
Feb. 17’s new moon begins both Lunar New Year (the start of a new year on the lunisolar calendar, especially in East Asian cultures) and, the next day, the start of Ramadan (the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar and a holy time for fasting from dawn until dusk).
The Year of the Fire Horse, beginning Feb. 17, 2026, was last seen in 1966. It takes over from the Year of the Wood Snake. According to the South China Morning Post, the Chinese lunisolar calendar is one of the oldest ways of recording time.
Tourists view lantern installations at the 32nd Zigong International Dinosaur Lantern Festival on January 21, 2026 in Zigong, Sichuan Province of China. (Photo by Lan Zitao/VCG via Getty Images)
VCG via Getty Images
Background
Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year or Spring Festival, begins on the second new moon after the winter solstice, so it falls in January or February. This year it falls on Feb. 17. That same new moon causes an annular solar eclipse, visible as a blazing “ring of fire” over Antarctica. The Chinese zodiac, combining 12 animals with five elements, repeats every 60 years. The day after, on Feb. 18, the Islamic calendar will likely observe the sighting of the crescent moon to begin the holy month of Ramadan. It’s called the Ramadan Moon because its sighting marks the end of the Islamic month of Shaban and the beginning of Ramadan. Clerics in Mecca, Saudi Arabia — the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad — will look for the crescent moon to confirm the start and end of the fasting month, though many Muslims worldwide rely on local sightings.
Indonesian Muslims hold a Rukyatul Hilal to see the new crescent moon that determines the end of Ramadan at Condro Dipo Hill on August 7, 2013 in Gresik, Indonesia. (Photo by Robertus Pudyanto/Getty Images)
Getty Images
The Year Of The Fire Horse And The ‘ring Of Fire’
The Year of the Fire Horse last occurred in 1966 and won’t return until 2086. Fittingly, it begins with a literal “ring of fire” — an annular solar eclipse on Feb. 17. During the rare event, the moon will cover 96% of the sun, leaving a glowing annulus in the sky for up to 2 minutes 20 seconds. However, it will be visible only from remote Antarctic research stations like Concordia and Mirny. Partial phases will be visible from parts of southern Africa and South America, as well as from remote islands like Mauritius and Reunion. This zodiac year will end just as it begins: with another annular solar eclipse on Feb. 6, 2027, seen from South America and West Africa.
A total lunar eclipse on April 15, 2014 as seen from Magdalena, New Mexico. (Photo by STAN HONDA/AFP via Getty Images)
AFP via Getty Images
March’s Total Lunar Eclipse
After the spectacular Feb. 17 eclipse and New Year celebrations, skywatchers won’t have to wait long for another celestial treat. On Mar. 3, 2026, the Lantern Festival will coincide with a total lunar eclipse — 2026’s only “blood moon.” Visible before dawn across the U.S., this relatively shallow eclipse will turn the moon a reddish color for 58 minutes as it passes into Earth’s central shadow. It’s the only total lunar eclipse of the year — and the last one anywhere on Earth until Dec. 31, 2028. Western North America will see it in its entirety.
Further Reading
