On Monday April 8th there is going to be a total solar eclipse that is visible from parts of the United States.
In an article published by CNN Ashley Strickland describes what a total eclipse is, writing, “A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between Earth and the sun, completely blocking the sun’s face” (June 23, 2023).
Strickland explains in this same article that people in the path of totality will see a total solar eclipse, while those outside of the path will only see a partial eclipse, which occurs when the moon only covers part of the sun (June 23, 2023).
An article published to NASA’s website and written by Vanessa Thomas describes the different phases in a total solar eclipse stating that first the moon will gradually cover the sun, so the total eclipse will start out as a partial eclipse (March 6th).
In the same article, Thomas recommends that at about ten minutes before totality you “begin to listen for changes in bird and insect sounds, or look for changes in their behavior. As the sunlight fades, wildlife might act as if nighttime is approaching” (March 6th). When there is only a few seconds before totality, Thomas says you’ll be able to see something called Baily’s Beads, which is when there are “a few bright spots of sunlight shining through valleys on the Moon” or you can see a bright light on one side that make the moon look like a diamond ring (March 6th).
At the time of totality Thomas mentions in the aforementioned article that nothing will be visible through your eclipse glasses and it is safe to remove them (March 6th). After removing your glasses you’ll be able to see what Vanessa Thomas refers to as, “the Sun’s brilliant white corona, or outer atmosphere, shining all around the Moon’s black disk” (March 6th).
