Surprising effects during a total solar eclipse

Not only does day turn to night under totality, our surroundings also change. Try to notice these changes under the total eclipse.

Transcript

00:00 [MUSIC]

00:05 In a total eclipse, day turns to night for several minutes.

00:09 While most people focus their attention on the main event,

00:12 their surroundings also change.

00:15 Totality reveals a 360 degree view of sunset and sunrise

00:19 from every direction at the horizon.

00:21 This effect is caused by light from the sun in areas outside the path of totality.

00:27 During totality, the sky is dark enough for stars and planets like Jupiter and Venus to appear.

00:32 If you're very lucky, the sky is even dark enough for a passing shooting star to become visible.

00:37 Temperatures may also drop depending on a couple of factors during the eclipse.

00:41 The time of year, cloud cover, and how long totality lasts.

00:46 In past eclipses, the air temperature has been known to drop by as much as 20 degrees Fahrenheit.

00:51 Eclipse viewers may also get a chance to see a rare phenomenon called shadow bands.

00:56 These are thin, wavy lines of alternating light and darkness.

00:59 Their motion is often compared to a snake slithering on the ground,

01:03 which is why these bands are also sometimes called shadow snakes.

01:07 They only occur during the seconds before and after totality.

01:11 Reporting for AccuWeather, I'm meteorologist Jeff Cornish.