At a Glance
- This year’s total solar eclipse will be the last visible in the U.S. until 2044.
- There are a number of phenomena you can see during a solar eclipse that you may not even know to look for.
- The entirety of the lower 48 contiguous U.S. states will be able to see at least a partial eclipse.
Sign up for the Morning Brief email newsletter to get weekday updates from The Weather Channel and our meteorologists.
The upcoming total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, will be the last one visible from the contiguous 48 states until 2044. The rarity of the event is certainly notable, but for those within the path of totality, you might want to know more about what the eclipse will look like, feel like and even sound like once the day arrives.
If you plan to observe the eclipse, it’s crucial that you stay safe by wearing special solar eclipse glasses. Viewing an eclipse with the naked eye, through a telescope or through binoculars can result in eye damage.
Here’s a guide to help you make the most of this rare occurrence.
The Lead Up To Totality
As the Moon creeps into position between Earth and the sun, a noticeable shift will occur. The brightness of day begins to dim, sort of like an unusually fast sunset. Then, the air will begin to feel just a bit cooler. Most songbirds will see the darkness as nightfall and quiet their songs. This phase is your cue to start paying close attention.
Chase The Elusive Shadow Bands
Shadow bands are thin, wavy lines of shadow that appear to dance along the ground as the eclipse nears totality. The phenomenon is difficult to find and even harder to catch on camera.
The faint shadow bands resemble rippling water in a pool, or TV static. They appear as a result of Earth’s upper atmosphere. Turbulent atmospheric cells of air distort the focused, pointed light produced by the eclipse, the same reason stars appear to “twinkle” from our viewpoint on Earth.
Two Opportunities To Catch ‘Baily’s Beads’
Leading up to totality, as the Moon continues its movement across the sun, a phenomenon known as Baily’s Beads makes an appearance. This spectacle occurs when the sun’s light peeks through the topography of the Moon — its rugged valleys. This creates a string of bright spots around the Moon’s silhouette. The phenomenon is fleeting yet fascinating.
Though you need to be quick to catch these glowing “beads,” the good news is you have two chances: first in the lead up to totality and again moments after the coverage begins to recede.
Watch Mother Nature ‘Put A Ring On It’
In the moments immediately before and after totality, as the first appearance of Baily’s Beads begins to fade, keep an eye out for the “diamond ring effect” — a burst of light set on a thin, coronal ring resembling a giant diamond ring.
Your Location Matters
The visibility of these phenomena is significantly influenced by where you are. To get the full experience, you'll need to be situated within the path of totality, a narrow track where the moon’s shadow will trace across Earth.
Those outside of the path will witness only a partial eclipse and will miss out on the full array of eclipse-specific phenomena. This year’s eclipse will be at least partially visible from all 48 contiguous U.S. states.
Based in New York, Weather.com reporter Tim Harris is a digital journalist with a broad reporting portfolio that spans environmental science, lifestyle topics and breaking news.
The Weather Company’s primary journalistic mission is to report on breaking weather news, the environment and the importance of science to our lives.
