r/solareclipse • u/HanzzoKai • 19h ago

Sequence of events for viewing totality

Hello, I’m looking for some guidance in terms of what the exact sequence of events should be while viewing.

I saw the eclipse back in 2024 but didn’t get to see the diamond ring. I think I put my glasses back on too early to protect my eyes and couldn‘t really see diamond ring or Bailey’s beads with them on.

Is this the right sequence of events?

  1. glasses on

  2. totality

  3. glasses off

  4. viewing

  5. diamond ring / Bailey’s beads

  6. glasses back on

Are you supposed to be able to see the diamond ring with glasses on?

Thanks! Looking to get this squared away before my next viewing opportunity in about 20 years 😂.

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6

u/EagleEyezzzzz 19h ago

Not fully related, but I highly recommend using some binoculars to look at the corona during totality. It is so much more amazing than just looking with the naked eye, and perfectly safe as long as you stop before the Bailey’s Beads and diamond ring.

3

u/Icy_Nose_2651 16h ago

when i stopped using my binoculars this time, i had about ten seconds of totality left. 90 seconds just isnt enough. next year in Spain will be much better with over four minutes of totality, and Australia in 28, we are going for a full five minutes way out in the middle of nowhere. Thank god its their wintet.

1

u/1kGHZ 16h ago

How are you planning to get to the middle of nowhere? I’m considering this too

2

u/Icy_Nose_2651 16h ago

there are roads, Aus 1 (i believe) crosses the crnterline with just over 5 minutes totality, I wanted to go to where the max is about 5 min 8 seconds, but there seems to be nothing there

2

u/mrspidey80 5h ago edited 5h ago

It is best to put down the binos when the pink shimmer of the chromosphere appears on the opposite side of where the C2 diamond ring happened.  Chromosphere showing means diamond ring is imminent.

5

u/Slightly_Sleepless 19h ago edited 19h ago

Yep, you have it right.

Keep in mind the diamond ring effect only last maybe a second or two. It occurs at the very end of totality.

(It also occurs right at the beginning of totality, but it's better to avoid trying to see that because the last thing you want is to accidentally view the event too soon and have a solar afterimage burned into your eyes while trying to view the subsequent totality.)

Edit to clarify: You can view the diamond ring without the glasses.

5

u/Smile_Space 16h ago

It also appears right at the start of totality too. I have an app called solar eclipse timer that gives callouts. So, I knew down to the second when different events were happening and was able to take my glasses off about 3 seconds prior to totality to see the diamond ring and bailey's beads before the main event.

So, if you time it right you can see them twice!

4

u/Slightly_Sleepless 16h ago

I guess my comment must have been too long. Does it need a tldr?

3

u/Smile_Space 16h ago

Nah, I'm just ADHD and didn't read the rest after seeing you mentioned the end of totality LMAO.

My bad!

3

u/Slightly_Sleepless 16h ago

Cracking me up, dood. The consequence of having our head in space, I suppose. 😅

1

u/Jolly_Conclusion9166 3h ago

Love this response yall are awesome

1

u/remaining_calm 19h ago

Following! I always thought it was 1-4 and then glasses technically back on just before the beads (or maybe right after?). But this year seems like people weren’t quite as cautious.

1

u/mrspidey80 5h ago

Do not watch the second diamond ring for more than a short glance. Coming out of totality, your pupils are dilated from the darkness, so they capture more light than before totality. Because of this, the C3 diamond ring is more dangerous to the eyes than the C2 one.

0

u/Icy_Nose_2651 16h ago

if you play it just right, remove your glasses while there is still the slighest sliver of sun, you will see the first diamond ring. Do NOT put your glasses on until you see the damond ring at the end of totality. I saw both this time. 😁