The eclipse step by step: what to expect?
The eclipse sequence.
1ST CONTACT
The partial eclipse begins.
2ND CONTACT
The total eclipse begins.
3RD CONTACT
The total eclipse ends.
4TH CONTACT
The partial eclipse ends.
first contact. Partial eclipse begins.
crescent sun.
The moon slowly nibbles at the solar disk, gradually transforming it into a crescent sun.
Video : The partial phase captured with Vespera during 2023 annular eclipse.
Credit : Ashalom
Sunspots.
While observing the eclipse, seize the opportunity to study sunspots. Their quantity serves as an indicator of the sun's activity, which follows an 11-year cycle. Given the sun's current phase of maximum activity, expect to observe numerous or sizable sunspots.
Image : the sunspots captured with Vaonis smart telescope.
the moon's relief.
Getting a closer look at the edge of the moon, one can notice that it is irregular. It is then possible to have a sense of the relief of our satellite, its mountains, and valleys.
The pinhole projector effect.
If you're watching the eclipse in an area with trees and vegetation, take note of the dappled light filtering through the foliage, creating crescent-shaped images of the sun on the ground. The openings in the foliage act like numerous pinholes, casting this unique pattern during the eclipse.
Image credits : Guillaume Cannat.
10 minutes before totality.
90% of the sun obscured.
The sun's light is so intense that, even with only a thin crescent remaining, the decrease in ambient brightness is barely perceptible.
temperature begins to drop.
You might start to notice a change in temperature. During the totality and depending on the conditions, there could be a drop of 5 degrees Celsius.
Venus is visible.
The planet Venus ,which is the brigthest object in the sky after the Sun and Moon, should be visible to the naked eye at the west of the sun.
Refer to the below sky map during the eclipse for more details.
2 minutes before totality.
Observe the behavior of wildlife.
The sunlight regulates the life rhythm for many animal species. The sudden decrease in brightness during the day leads to a change in their behaviors. Birds seem disoriented and land, chickens return to their coop, and nature becomes quieter, except for crickets that start to sing. Mosquitoes also become active.
Jupiter is visible.
The planet Jupiter should become visible to the naked eye. Look for it eastward of the sun. It should be the second brightest point after Venus.
Refer to the sky map below for more details.
Observe the arrival of the shadow on the horizon.
If you're observing the eclipse from elevated areas or with a clear horizon, such as by the seaside, look westward to see the moon's shadow approaching and swiftly engulfing the landscape.
It looks like a timelapse of a severe thunderstorm.
a few seconds before totality.
darkness falls.
The moon’s shadow swiftly engulfs the landscape and darkness falls.
The diamond ring
As the very last portion of the sun is about to disappear, the bright part of the corona begins to emerge. This creates the effect of a soft, luminous ring enhanced by an intense glow of light. To witness this phenomenon, you must remove your eclipse glasses.
Baily's beads
The moon is now fully in front of the sun. However, through its deepest valleys along the edge, a few rays of light still manage to sneak in at the last second, forming a series of fleeting luminous pearls.
image : P. Horálek/ESO
Second contact : total eclipse begins
From this point on until the reappearance of Baily's beads, you may remove solar filters, including those on telescopes, to observe the various phenomena occurring during totality.
ChromosPhere and solar prominences
During a solar eclipse, we get a glimpse of specific layers of the sun that are typically invisible from Earth, unless observed through an instrument that artificially replicates an eclipse, such as a Coronagraph. One such layer is the chromosphere, the sun's lower atmosphere, which takes on a pink hue during a total eclipse. Solar prominences of the same color appear to emanate from it, representing eruptions of matter from the underlying layers.
Sun's corona
This is the outer part of sun atmosphere. It is normally totally invisible from Earth due to its difference of luminosity with the sun surface. Yet it can easily be observed even with the naked eye during a total eclipse. It extends millions of kilometers away from the sun's surface. Observing with a telescope reveals an intricated structure of filaments.
Planet and stars
During the peak of darkness, you should be able to see other planets like Saturn and Mars, along with bright stars such as Capella, Aldebaran, Sirius, Betelgeuse, and Rigel. Check the sky map below for additional details.
Comet Pons-brooks
This eclipse should provide a unique opportunity for observing and photographing comet Pons-Brooks, which would otherwise be invisible due to its proximity to the sun. The comet will be located near Jupiter.
Binoculars will be required to observe it (do not point your binoculars at the sun during the partial eclipse).
glowing horizon
While you're enveloped by the moon’s shadow, the sun continues to shine all around, casting a glow on the atmosphere reminiscent of twilight, but this phenomenon occurs uniformly across the entire horizon, rather than being confined to one side.
third contact : total eclipse ends
From this point on, you absolutly need to put back on solar filters.
Experience the entire sequence in reverse order.
The timeframe of the total eclipse is very short. If you don't have time to enjoy every aspects of it, here's your chance to relive them in the reverse order : the corona faded as the first baily's beads appear again followed by a thin crescent of sun.
Daylight is back, nature emerges from its torpor and the temperature rises.
While the partial eclipse still has to last an hour or so before the eclipse is finally over, it's usually the moment for the party to begin and celebrate the incredible moment you've just experienced.
The sky during totality
Here's a map of the sky during totality in Dallas, Texas, at 13:42 CDT, looking towards the south. Depending on your location, it may look a little bit different (objects may be lower on the horizon).
Use Option + click or 2 fingers swap to move around the panorama
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