Total Solar Eclipse - 5 Unique Things You'll See

news image
Special Stories
8 Apr 2024 5:55 PM

Here is a way to TRACK your time in the eclipse thanks to NASA

A total eclipse is coming to North America on April 8th, cutting a path of totality from central Texas to the Northeast over an hour.  A SOLAR eclipse happens when the Moon is positioned between the Sun and Earth blocking out the sun’s light. The sky will darken as if it were dawn or dusk, and animals might mistake it for nighttime.  

A couple of cool events happen during a total eclipse:

  1. About 2 minutes before totality, shadow bands form on white or light-colored surfaces. They are rippling waves of light and darkness that give a “movie-esq” effect.

  2. No matter where you're watching from in the U.S., all of us will see some level of eclipse coverage. Instead of looking, up, turn your gaze down, and you’ll see tiny crescent shadows on the ground! That is the shadow of the moon in front of the sun.  

  3. About a minute before totality, you can see Baily’s Beads, a bright gleam of light on one side of the moon. 

  4. During a total solar eclipse, people in the path of totality can use eclipse glasses to see the Sun’s corona, or outer atmosphere which is usually not visible due to the sun’s brightness. 

  5. You may also see pink around the edges of the moon, known as prominences. This is part of the Sun’s atmosphere!

     

During this solar eclipse, those in the path of totality will be in darkness for an average of 3 ½ to 4 minutes, which is close to double the time of darkness during the solar eclipse in 2017. For the latest on the solar eclipse and potential weather impacts, join WeatherNation in the days leading up to April 8th! More Articles:

How Rare are Total Solar Eclipses

5 Things You Need to Know About the Eclipse

How to Contribute to Science During the Eclipse

Eclipse Safety

Hearing the Eclipse

All Weather News
More
Weekend Closes With More Storms

Weekend Closes With More Storms

The peak of spring severe weather season is f

13 Apr 2026 2:00 AM
Active Pattern This Week Across U.S.

Active Pattern This Week Across U.S.

WHAT TO EXPECTWe continue to see the busy Apr

13 Apr 2026 1:55 AM
Feeling Like Summer This Week

Feeling Like Summer This Week

We're not really that close to the solstice.

13 Apr 2026 1:45 AM
Stormy Pattern Continues for West Coast

Stormy Pattern Continues for West Coast

A series of storms is lining up to impact the

12 Apr 2026 7:50 PM
CSU Releases First Hurricane Forecast for 2026

CSU Releases First Hurricane Forecast for 2026

Spring is in full swing which means it's time

12 Apr 2026 1:30 AM
Masters Forecast: No Rain, No Delays, Just Golf

Masters Forecast: No Rain, No Delays, Just Golf

The Masters Tournament in Augusta is expected

11 Apr 2026 8:00 AM
Severe Weather Reloads Today

Severe Weather Reloads Today

Large hail for Kansas last night! Thursday wa

10 Apr 2026 8:40 PM