Eclipse basics
Understanding solar eclipses
How a total solar eclipse works, the different kinds, and — most importantly — how to watch one without harming your eyes.
What Is a Total Solar Eclipse?
A total solar eclipse is one of nature's most dramatic sights: for a few minutes the Moon slides exactly in fr…Total, Annular, Partial & Hybrid Eclipses Explained
Not all solar eclipses are alike. Depending on where you are and how far the Moon is from Earth that day, you …How to Watch a Solar Eclipse Safely
Watching a solar eclipse is unforgettable — and completely safe, as long as you protect your eyes. The trouble…Eclipse Glasses: What ISO 12312-2 Means
ISO 12312-2 is the international standard that tells you an eclipse filter genuinely blocks the Sun's harmful …Pinhole Projection: Watch an Eclipse Without Glasses
No eclipse glasses? No problem. Pinhole projection lets you watch every phase of a solar eclipse without ever …The Path of Totality, Explained
The path of totality is the strip of Earth that falls inside the Moon's darkest shadow during a total solar ec…Why Don't We Get a Solar Eclipse Every Month?
There is a New Moon every month, so you might expect a solar eclipse every month too. The reason that does not…Diamond Ring, Baily's Beads & the Corona
In the final seconds before the Sun disappears completely, the sky puts on a sequence of effects so vivid and …A Solar Eclipse, From First Contact to Last
A solar eclipse unfolds in a clear sequence over roughly two and a half to three hours, with four distinct mom…Choosing Where to Watch a Solar Eclipse
Where you stand for a solar eclipse matters enormously — the difference between a spectacular few minutes of t…
A total solar eclipse is one of nature's most dramatic sights: for a few minutes the Moon slides exactly in fr…Total, Annular, Partial & Hybrid Eclipses Explained
Not all solar eclipses are alike. Depending on where you are and how far the Moon is from Earth that day, you …How to Watch a Solar Eclipse Safely
Watching a solar eclipse is unforgettable — and completely safe, as long as you protect your eyes. The trouble…Eclipse Glasses: What ISO 12312-2 Means
ISO 12312-2 is the international standard that tells you an eclipse filter genuinely blocks the Sun's harmful …Pinhole Projection: Watch an Eclipse Without Glasses
No eclipse glasses? No problem. Pinhole projection lets you watch every phase of a solar eclipse without ever …The Path of Totality, Explained
The path of totality is the strip of Earth that falls inside the Moon's darkest shadow during a total solar ec…Why Don't We Get a Solar Eclipse Every Month?
There is a New Moon every month, so you might expect a solar eclipse every month too. The reason that does not…Diamond Ring, Baily's Beads & the Corona
In the final seconds before the Sun disappears completely, the sky puts on a sequence of effects so vivid and …A Solar Eclipse, From First Contact to Last
A solar eclipse unfolds in a clear sequence over roughly two and a half to three hours, with four distinct mom…Choosing Where to Watch a Solar Eclipse
Where you stand for a solar eclipse matters enormously — the difference between a spectacular few minutes of t…
The one rule that matters
Never look at the Sun without certified ISO 12312-2 protection. The only naked-eye-safe moment in any eclipse is the brief totality of a total eclipse, seen from inside the path. Read the full safety guide →