Solar eclipses occur when the sun, moon and Earth align.
The moon passes between Earth and sun, temporarily blocking the sun’s light and casting a shadow on Earth.
A total solar eclipse is when the moon fully obscures the sun, whereas a partial solar eclipse means it blocks just a portion of the sun’s face.
The resulting twilight, with only the sun’s outer atmosphere or corona visible
It is never safe to gaze directly at the sun, even when it is partly or mostly covered by the moon.
Special eclipse glasses or pinhole projectors are required to safely view solar eclipses and prevent eye damage.
Failing to take the proper precautions can result in severe eye injury
When the last beams of sunlight are about to become obscured, “diamond ring effect” can be seen: The sun’s atmosphere will appear as an illuminated halo, and the last light still visible will look like the diamond of a giant ring
As the sunlight decreases even further, an effect known as Baily’s beads will be created by the moon’s rugged terrain.
Tiny “beads” of light will be visible for only a few seconds around the dark moon, as the last bits of sunlight peer through the moon’s mountains and valleys
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