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, Severe Storms For Texas Gulf Coast

Heavy Rain, Severe Storms For Texas Gulf Coast

Several rounds of severe storms rocked the Lo

2 May 2026 2:15 AM
Cooler Air Sweeps From the Plains to the Northeast

Cooler Air Sweeps From the Plains to the Northeast

A trough of low pressure will keep things coo

2 May 2026 2:10 AM
Record Heat for the Northwest

Record Heat for the Northwest

While the eastern United States is under uppe

2 May 2026 2:10 AM
Rain or Shine? Your 152nd Kentucky Derby Forecast

Rain or Shine? Your 152nd Kentucky Derby Forecast

Heading to Churchill Downs this Weekend?Derby

2 May 2026 1:30 AM
Further Rain and Snow Chances Out West

Further Rain and Snow Chances Out West

We have a rather wet pattern ahead for much o

1 May 2026 11:25 PM
A Look Back at Moderate Risks This Week

A Look Back at Moderate Risks This Week

MONDAYSevere storms erupted across the Midwes

1 May 2026 11:00 PM
Hail Pummels Missouri, Texas; Back for More Overnight

Hail Pummels Missouri, Texas; Back for More Overnight

Severe storms have been numerous this week, a

30 Apr 2026 1:20 AM