People across the US, Mexico and Canada are getting ready to witness a rare total solar eclipse today
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During the rare event, skywatchers can also see multiple unique features as the eclipse progresses. As per NASA, the eclipse is set to pass through 5 stages
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A total eclipse begins with first contact or partial eclipse. This is when the Moon starts to travel across the face of the Sun
Image: Reuters
Just before the second phase of the eclipse, rapidly moving, long, dark bands separated by white spaces can be seen called ‘shadow bands'
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The next phase is the second contact which happens a few minutes before totality. It starts after a 'diamond ring' is observed at the edge of the moon
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Image: Pixabay
Image: Pixabay
Towards the end of this phase, several points of light are seen shining around the Moon's edges known as 'Baily's Beads'
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During Stage 3, known as totality, the moon will completely block the bright face of the Sun. At this point, only the Sun's corona is visible
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This is the only stage of the eclipse that you can view with your naked eye
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During the fourth stage, known as the third contact, the moon will move away from Sun's disc, marking the end of totality and beginning of the second partial eclipse phase
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In the fifth and final stage, Moon completely leaves the face of the Sun, and the full disc is visible