A TOTAL ECLIPSE happens when the moon completely covers the sun. Here, the observer is standing under the umbral shadow of the moon. In a total solar eclipse, the sun's outer atmosphere can be seen. The brighter stars and the planets come out.

When a solar eclipse happens Who can see it?

Anyone within the path of totality can see one of nature's most awe-inspiring sights - a total solar eclipse. This path, where the moon will completely cover the sun and the sun's tenuous atmosphere - the corona - can be seen, will stretch from Lincoln Beach, Oregon to Charleston, South Carolina.

What is the only thing you can see during a solar eclipse?

Totality. The Sun is now completely hidden, revealing the full glory of the solar corona. These few minutes of the total solar eclipse are the only times we on Earth can see the corona, the Sun's upper atmosphere, which streams out into space above the sun's surface.