A few years in the past, we considered a total eclipse, and I bear in mind simply earlier than the onset of totality, we noticed bands of sunshine and darkish shadows racing throughout the bottom. What’s the rationalization for this?
Gerald Baseden
Wilmington, Delaware
These bands of sunshine and darkish, coincidentally sufficient, are referred to as shadow bands. As a result of they’re so fleeting and refined, solely showing for just a few seconds earlier than or after totality, they are typically exhausting to catch — so it’s fairly thrilling that you just noticed them!
Scientists imagine shadow bands come up due to the turbulent nature of Earth’s environment. Because the Moon strikes to completely cowl the Solar or simply begins to slip away as totality ends, solely a tiny crescent of the solar disk is seen. Refraction of this vivid, skinny gentle supply via our environment creates the sample of sunshine and darkish strains, and the movement of the air makes them ripple and transfer. Because the environment is consistently altering, they’re each short-lived and unattainable to foretell.
To extend your probabilities of viewing this phenomenon, think about spreading out a light-colored sheet or giant piece of paper on the bottom earlier than an eclipse. The sunshine, flat floor might help spotlight the shadow bands in the event that they happen. As a result of shadow bands solely seem proper earlier than or after totality — when you might wish to concentrate on the primary attraction — you too can prepare a video digital camera on the sheet or paper so that you don’t have to fret about splitting your consideration.
Alison Klesman
Senior Editor
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