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
Heavy Rain and Flooding Threat Continues Across the South

Heavy Rain and Flooding Threat Continues Across the South

More rounds of heavy rain are expected to mov

30 May 2026 2:10 AM
Severe Storms Return to the Southern Plains Through Saturday

Severe Storms Return to the Southern Plains Through Saturday

TEXAS - Renewed rounds of severe weather are

30 May 2026 2:05 AM
Cooler and Wetter Across the Northeast This Weekend

Cooler and Wetter Across the Northeast This Weekend

While an upper-level low remains anchored off

30 May 2026 2:00 AM
Severe Storms Possible in the Pacific Northwest

Severe Storms Possible in the Pacific Northwest

SET-UPAn upper low is sitting and spinning ov

29 May 2026 6:00 PM
Northern Plains Heat Pushes into Upper Midwest

Northern Plains Heat Pushes into Upper Midwest

Record high temperatures have been breaking s

28 May 2026 7:15 PM
Severe Storms Threaten Nation's Capital

Severe Storms Threaten Nation's Capital

The Storm Prediction Center has highlighted a

27 May 2026 11:35 PM
Severe Storms, Heavy Rain Target the Southeast

Severe Storms, Heavy Rain Target the Southeast

WHAT TO EXPECTHeavy rain has already hit nume

24 May 2026 8:00 PM