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
Tropical Depression Two Officially Forms in the Gulf

Tropical Depression Two Officially Forms in the Gulf

In the Atlantic basin, we are keeping a very

19 Jul 2026 3:00 PM
Another Round of Severe Weather for the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes

Another Round of Severe Weather for the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes

The upper level low train continues to keep t

19 Jul 2026 2:30 PM
Another Round of Storms Targets the Northeast

Another Round of Storms Targets the Northeast

Another cold front is dropping east and will

19 Jul 2026 1:32 PM
Thick Wildfire Smoke Continues to Pour Across the Great Lakes, East Coast

Thick Wildfire Smoke Continues to Pour Across the Great Lakes, East Coast

Wildfires burning in Northwestern Ontario, Ca

19 Jul 2026 10:50 AM
Severe Storms Target the Northeast Saturday

Severe Storms Target the Northeast Saturday

While smoke and heat have made headlines in t

19 Jul 2026 2:05 AM
Monsoon Moisture Brings Weekend Flood Threat

Monsoon Moisture Brings Weekend Flood Threat

The monsoon has returned to the southwestern

19 Jul 2026 1:30 AM
After Historic Flooding, Flood Risk Moves West Saturday

After Historic Flooding, Flood Risk Moves West Saturday

TEXAS HILL COUNTRY - Life-threatening floodin

18 Jul 2026 1:00 AM