the 11- year solar cycle peaked in 2024. during the peak the surface of the sun is very active, which are visible as 'sun spots' when safely viewed through eclipse glasses or a solar filter for photographic equipment.
the solar cycle ends with the solar poles flipping!
the sun is roughly 400 times larger than the moon. the moon just so happens to be about 400 times closer to earth than the sun. this cosmic coincidence means we get a total solar eclipse ever so often.
As the moon begins to completely blot out the sun from the sky, for a split second, the last bits of sunlight shine through the rough lunar surface. this eclipse event is aptly named "diamond ring"
With the blinding photo-sphere of sun blocked by the moon, the solar prominences dancing on the active surface of the sun are briefly visible
as the moon continues to obscure the sun, The "diamond ring" rapidly disintegrates. the light from the sun fighting their way through the lunar peaks and valleys escape to give us the eclipse event named "baily's beads"
totality
with the moon completely eclipsing the sun, the dance of the solar prominences on the active solar surface is in full display
3 minutes of a cosmic event that just has to be experienced in person to be able to fully grasp the sights, sounds and sensations that defy being bound by mere words.
particles from the sun eject out of the surface and radiate throughout the solar system giving us the SOlar winds
earthshine
the light reflected from the earth's surface illuminates the lunar surface
after 3 minutes of totality the moon begins to let the sun gradually peek through
progression of the solar eclipse
