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Total Solar Eclipse: When a diamond ring appears in the sky - India Today

Total Solar Eclipse: Stargazers are all set to experience one of the biggest celestial events to graze in the daytime skies. The Total Solar Eclipse will make the Sun go dark on April 8.

The celestial event will create a breathtaking spectacle – a diamond ring in the skies. Soft Bait Lure

Total Solar Eclipse: When a diamond ring appears in the sky - India Today

This rare occurrence begins as the Moon positions itself between the Earth and the Sun, casting a shadow that transforms the day into an eerie twilight.

The initial phase of this cosmic dance will sees the Sun taking on a crescent shape, a partial eclipse phase lasting between 70 and 80 minutes for most observers. It's a critical time when the importance of protective eyewear – eclipse glasses – cannot be overstated, to safely enjoy the unfolding drama in the sky. Baily’s Beads will begin to disappear until eventually only a single bright spot will remain during the total solar eclipse. (Photo: Getty)

As the Moon continues its transit across the Sun, a remarkable phenomenon known as Baily's Beads occurs.

Named after Francis Baily who first provided their explanation in 1836, these fleeting points of light are the result of sunlight squeezing through the lunar valleys, creating a string of luminous beads at the edge of the Moon's silhouette. However, this spectacle will be very short lived, with the beads disappearing as totality approaches, leaving spectators in suspense.

The climax of this celestial show is heralded by the appearance of a single, brilliant point of light – the last of Baily's Beads – which shines like a solitaire diamond against the darkened backdrop of the Moon.

This is the moment just before totality, where the Sun's corona, its outer atmosphere, is about to be revealed in full glory.

The "diamond" shines brightly, surrounded by the "ring" of the Sun’s atmosphere, creating the iconic "diamond ring effect" in the sky. This stunning visual marks the transition to totality, a phase where the Sun is completely obscured by the Moon, plunging observers into a brief, surreal darkness.

For those fortunate enough to be positioned along the path of totality, the experience promises to be unforgettable.

Total Solar Eclipse: When a diamond ring appears in the sky - India Today

Spinner Lure The longest duration of totality will stretch up to 4 minutes and 28 seconds near Torreon, Mexico, offering an extended gaze into the cosmos' wonders. Yet, even outside this narrow path, the partial phases of the eclipse offer a compelling spectacle.Published By: Sibu Kumar TripathiPublished On: Apr 1, 2024Must Watch