Partial solar eclipse over Cape Town kicks off 2026 sky events

Skywatchers across South Africa will be treated to a rare celestial event on Tuesday, 17 February, when a partial solar eclipse becomes visible during the afternoon.

A partial solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun but does not align perfectly, meaning only part of the Sun is obscured. The Moon casts its outer shadow, known as the penumbra, onto Earth, creating the effect of a visible “bite” taken out of the Sun.

While the full annular eclipse or “ring of fire” will only be visible from remote regions of Antarctica, observers in South Africa will see the Moon partially cover the Sun. In the Western Cape, the eclipse will reach a maximum coverage of around 5 percent. 

READ: Did you know you can fly directly to Antarctica in under six hours, from the Mother City? 

When to look up - and how to do so safely

The SANSA’s YouTube channel will livestream the event on their YouTube channel, with the partial eclipse taking place as follows.

• Eclipse begins: 14:01 SAST
• Maximum eclipse: 14:23 SAST
• Eclipse ends: 15:24 SAST
• Total duration: 1 hour 23 minutes

If you're planning on viewing it, remember to never look directly at the Sun without proper eye protection. Eclipse glasses or certified solar filters should always be used. For safe eclipse viewing, the South African Astronomical Observatory strongly recommends using certified solar eclipse glasses that are clearly marked with ISO 12312-2.

"These should be purchased from a reputable manufacturer or supplier to ensure they meet the international safety standard for direct solar viewing. Kindly remember not to look directly at the Sun without proper certified protection, and avoid using sunglasses or homemade filters, as these are not safe for eclipse viewing.

A pinhole projector is also a recommended option, with step-by-step videos available online for constructing one; however, the safety and protection of your eyes cannot be overstated.  

For those planning stargazing trips, astrophotography sessions, or eclipse watch parties, 2026 offers several standout events. Because timings and visibility vary by location, consult a comprehensive annual sky calendar beforehand. Both NASA and Date and Time.com regularly update their lists of upcoming planetary events. 

28 February – Six-Planet Parade

• What to watch: Mercury, Venus, Saturn, Jupiter visible to the eye, Uranus and Neptune with binoculars or telescope.  
• When to look: Shortly after sunset, facing west-southwest. Mercury will be low and you will need to pick a clear horizon.
• Local viewing: SAAO often runs planetary viewing nights at their headquarters in Observatory, with telescopes when alignments like this occur. 

Time Out tip: Bring binoculars to assist with the fainter planets, and scout a location with an unobstructed western view like Signal Hill, Table Mountain views).

31 May – Blue Moon

• What to watch: Second full moon in a calendar month; appears bigger than usual.
• When to look: Moonrise in early evening — rising over the eastern horizon.
• Local viewing: Cape Town’s beaches or Table Mountain viewpoints are superb for lunar rises.

8–9 June – Venus–Jupiter Conjunction

• What to watch: The two brightest planets in the sky will be very close together. You won't need a telescope for this one. 
• When to look: Shortly after sunset, in the western sky.
• Local viewing: Open areas like Signal Hill or Sea Point Promenade are ideal. 

Time Out Tip: Venus will be brighter. A pair of binoculars makes them easy to spot just after dusk. 

12–13 August – Perseids Meteor Shower

• What to watch: One of the year’s best meteor showers.
• When to look: After midnight into early morning when the Perseid radiant is highest.
• Local viewing: Night sky friendly spots include West Coast National Park, Silvermines or the Karoo regions for darker skies.

24 December – Supermoon

• What to watch: A full moon near Earth - especially large and bright.
• When to look: Moonrise near sunset, then through the evening.
• Local viewing: Bloubergstrand Beach or Camps Bay offer stunning moonrise settings.