Fun Things Around an Eclipse

Elena Kelly
Aug 8, 2017 · 2 min read

August 21st 2017 — total eclipse

While the most remembered moment during a total eclipse is when the darkened moon fully covers the sun, leaving no hint of the sun behind, there are other interesting things that happen before and after that exciting moment.

One of the safe ways to view a partial solar eclipse, or before the total covering of the sun during the coming August eclipse, is to look at the shadows of a shade tree. When the moon begins to cover the sun, only in part, you will be able to view hundreds of tiny crescent shaped images of the sun. Those little spaces between the leaves of the tree behave much like a pinhole camera.

an image of the crescent phenomenon — more images here

Another interesting phenomenon during an eclipse is shadow bands. Dark bands may be seen racing across flat, light colored surfaces 60 to 90 seconds before totality. Shadow bands are caused by light peeking through the outer edge of the moon, along mountains and vallies of the its surface.

shadow bands

If the land around you is flat, you may see the umbra (the moon’s shadow) racing toward you moments before the eclipse, and retreating afterward.

Seconds before totality is when one of the most visually stunning moments occur. Called the diamond ring effect, the tiny hint of sun glowing around the edges of the moon create a ring, the last bit of the sun forming a diamond-like glow at one end.

diamond ring effect, also called Baily’s beads

During the totality, the full covering of the sun, the air may chill, animals may become confused, night insects may begin to chirp.

IMPORTANT NOTE:
The brief few minutes of totality is the only time it is safe to look directly at the Sun with no eye protection. If you are wearing special eclipse glasses, take them off only when the moon completely covers the sun. Be sure to put them back on if you continue looking after totality.

Elena Kelly

Written by

Elena is a socially progressive artist, writer, designer & blogger. She is a cat and rabbit advocate, and fosters animals in need in her spare time.

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