Total Solar Eclipse 2015

What is a Total Solar Eclipse?



A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the earth and the sun and blocks out the direct light of the sun. A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon blocks out the sun completely, forming a shadow on the earth. For this to occur, the sun, the earth and the moon come in a straight line in their orbits and it will seem like the moon has covered the sun.


In a total solar eclipse you will be able to see “The Baily Beads”, which is where light from the sun breaks through the uneven surface of the moon. The diamond ring effect marks the beginning and end of totality as a bright flash of light and is one of the most amazing features of the eclipse.
As the shadow of the moon starts to move across the sun, it will look like a small bite which gradually increases in size. Watch for Baily’s Beads where the sun shines through the rugged surface of the moon, creating points of light on the edge of the moon’s disc. These can only be seen for a few seconds. Just before the sun disapears, The Diamond Ring effect is seen as the single bead of light which looks like an enormous sparkling diamond on a shiny ring.


When the shadow of the moon covers the sun entirely, the sun’s atmosphere (corona) can been seen as a faint halo. This phase is known as totality. As the moon moves away from the sun, Baily’s Beads may be seen again, before the sun eventually fully emerges.


There are five stages that are observed during a total eclipse


First Contact


Second Contact




Third Contact


Fourth Contact