{
  "id": 85348,
  "title": "13 amazing things to see during the total solar eclipse on Aug. 12",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/03/13-amazing-things-to-see-during-the-total-solar-eclipse-on-aug-12",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-08-03T13:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Space.com",
    "slug": "space-com",
    "url": "https://www.space.com/stargazing/solar-eclipses/13-amazing-things-to-see-during-the-total-solar-eclipse-on-aug-12"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "1. Sunspots: During the partial phases of the total solar eclipse on August 12, 2026, look for sunspots by observing the moon's silhouette moving across the sun through ISO-certified safe solar eclipse glasses or solar filters. These cool patches, where the sun's magnetic field is concentrated, can indicate the occurrence of solar flares.\n\n2. Planets: Keep an eye out for Venus, Jupiter, Mercury, and Mars during totality. Jupiter will appear about 11 degrees west-northwest of the sun, Venus about 46° east-southeast, Mercury about 4 degrees beyond Venus, and Mars will be low in the west. Aim to look for these planets about 15 minutes before totality.\n\n3. Crescent-shaped shadows: During a deep partial solar eclipse, crescent-shaped shadows will appear on the ground beneath trees when over 50% of the sun is eclipsed. To see them, use a colander or spaghetti spoon with small, defined holes or cross your fingers in a waffle pattern. Alternatively, you can project diffuse crescents by winking.\n\n4. Shadow bands: If you're in Spain, you may observe wavy lines on white surfaces just before and after totality. These are called shadow bands or \"shadow snakes,\" caused by the reduced light from the crescent sun being refracted by atmospheric turbulence. Bring a large white sheet or borrow one from your hotel to capture this phenomenon.\n\n5. Plunging light and heat: As the partial eclipse reaches around 80%, the light levels suddenly drop, and temperatures plummet. This sudden darkness is far more intense than the \"darkness in the day\" experience, leaving many eclipse chasers feeling anxious and uneasy. Be prepared for this primal fear while dealing with the eerie, silvery atmosphere around you.\n\n6. Moon's shadow: The arrival of the moon's umbral shadow will race across observers at approximately 2,200 mph in Greenland and Iceland, and up to 12,000 mph in eastern Spain. To witness this sight, find an elevated position, preferably on the side of a valley, looking northwest, with a relatively uniform landscape. You can attempt to capture this with a GoPro or similar device.\n\n7. Diamond rings and Baily's beads: Diamond rings and Baily's beads are trademarks of totality, but require careful observation. As the eclipse nears totality, a spectacular drop of sunlight creates a \"diamond ring\" and tiny Baily's beads of light streaming through the moon's valleys. However, ignore the first round to avoid an after-image in your eyes affecting your vision just as the corona appears. The real \"wow\" moment occurs at the end of totality, when a Baily's bead appears, followed by a few more, quickly coalescing into a second diamond ring.",
  "summary": "The solar corona is the ultimate sight during a total solar eclipse, but there'll be a chance to see much more on Aug. 12, 2026.",
  "key_points": [
    "Observe sunspots during partial phases using ISO-certified solar glasses",
    "Spot Venus, Jupiter, Mercury, and Mars before totality",
    "Witness crescent-shaped shadows on ground during deep partial eclipse"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}