Topline
The new moon at 2:52 p.m. EST on Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, marks more than just the start of a new lunar cycle. It sets in motion a new orbit of the moon that will culminate in a spectacular “ring of fire” annular solar eclipse over Antarctica on Feb. 17, 2026. That same new moon also determines the timing for Lunar New Year (also called Chinese New Year) and Ramadan, both of which begin on that same date.
Key Facts
On Feb. 17, a rare “ring of fire” annular solar eclipse will occur over Antarctica, with a ring (annulus) set to appear for up to 2 minutes 20 seconds as a new moon slips perfectly across 96% of the sun’s disk. A partial eclipse will be visible from southern Africa and South America.
That same new moon also signals the date of Lunar New Year, with Feb. 17 marking the start of the Year of the Fire Horse in the Chinese zodiac.
The fasting month of the Islamic lunar calendar, Ramadan, will begin with the sighting of the crescent moon after the new moon, so it is expected to begin on Feb. 18. Like all months, Ramadan begins and ends according to moon sightings. It’s expected to end around Mar. 19, 2026.
The ‘fire Horse’ And The ‘ring Of Fire’
The Lunar New Year marks the Year of the Fire Horse, a rare combination in the 60-year Chinese zodiac cycle last seen in 1966. The following full moon — on Mar. 3 — brings the Lantern Festival to close Lunar New Year celebrations. It coincides with a total lunar eclipse, 2026’s only “blood moon,” but that’s not where the eclipse coincidences end. As well as beginning on Feb. 17’s annular solar eclipse, the Year of the Fire Horse will end with another annular solar eclipse on Feb. 6, 2027.
Where To See The ‘ring Of Fire’ Solar Eclipse
In exactly one month, on Feb. 17, 2026, skywatchers in Antarctica will witness a rare annular solar eclipse — where the moon appears slightly too small to fully cover the sun, leaving a brilliant halo or “ring of fire” in the sky. The full annular phase will be visible only from remote research stations such as Concordia and Mirny, where the sun will hover low on the horizon. Although most of the world will miss the ring itself, a partial eclipse will be visible from southeastern Africa, the southern tip of South America, and islands including Reunion, Mauritius and Heard Island in the Pacific Ocean.
What’s Next In The Night Sky
In the days after the new moon on Jan. 18, Earth’s natural satellite will emerge into the post-sunset night sky. On Jan. 19, a razor-thin crescent will appear for a short time in the western twilight sky, followed by slightly brighter, longer-lasting appearances with each successive evening. By Jan. 21, it will pair with Saturn low in the west at twilight, its darkened limb lit by “Earthshine.” As it brightens, it will brush close to the Pleiades star cluster on Jan. 27 and join Jupiter near Gemini’s twin stars, Castor and Pollux, on Jan. 30.
