Be Prepared for a Total Solar Eclipse

One of nature’s greatest spectacles is a total solar eclipse. It happens when the moon passes between Earth and the sun, blocking out the sun for several minutes.

WHAT IS A TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE?

During a solar eclipse, the moon passes between Earth and the sun, blocking out the sun and making it go dark.

There are several types of solar eclipses:

• In a total eclipse, the moon completely blocks the sun. People located in the center of the moon’s shadow when it hits Earth will see this type of eclipse.

• During an annular eclipse, the moon passes between the sun and Earth when it’s at or near its farthest point from Earth.

• During a hybrid eclipse, an eclipse shifts between annular and total because Earth’s curvy surface causes the moon’s shadow to move across the globe.

• In a partial eclipse, the moon passes between the sun and Earth, but only a part of the sun appears to be covered, giving it a crescent shape.

WHEN WAS THE SOLAR ECLIPSE

The last total solar eclipse in North America happened on April 8, 2024. The next total solar eclipse visible across the United States, also known as the Great North American Eclipse, won’t occur until Aug. 22, 2044.

HOW CAN I SEE A SOLAR ECLIPSE?

There is one unbreakable rule when viewing a solar eclipse: Never look directly at the sun during any phase without proper eye protection. Without protection, your eyesight could be permanently damaged.

To safely observe a total solar eclipse, you must use approved solar viewing glasses (not regular sunglasses). You can also view the eclipse indirectly with a homemade solar eclipse viewer.

Step-by-step instructions on how to make a solar eclipse viewer.

Find out where you can get approved viewing glasses.

WHAT EXACTLY WILL I SEE?

When the sun is entirely covered by the moon, you can see the solar corona — the sun’s outer atmosphere. This creates a brief period of darkness in the day, known as “totality.” You might also be able to see a few stars and planets when the sky goes dark if you’re in the path of totality. You will not experience the same effects during a partial eclipse.

Photos and illustrations by NASA/Aubrey Gemignani; NASA; Getty Images/IStockPhoto; Jonathan Adams