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Baily's beads -

If you look up to the total or annular solar eclipse (safely, with appropriate eye protection), you might notice little light bubbles around the rim of the moon.

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Baily's beads -

This phenomenon is known as "Baily's beads." It's named after astronomer Francis Baily, who described the effect in 1836.

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Baily's beads -

Baily's beads is caused by sunlight interacting with the moon's uneven topography.

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Solar prominences -

Solar prominences, also known as filaments, are huge plasma and magnetic-field structures, which arise from the sun's surface.

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Solar prominences -

Normally, we can't see these protuberances from earth. But during an eclipse, they may be visible behind the moon.

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Solar prominences -

However, just like with Baily's beads, you shouldn't look at solar prominences with your naked eyes! Always wear eclipse glasses.

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Plunging temperatures -

Make sure to bring a jacket to your eclipse viewing, because temperatures can drop quickly, as the moon covers the sun.

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Plunging temperatures -

How much depends on the location, time of year, and type of eclipse.

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Plunging temperatures -

Most places see temperature drops of around 5-10°F (2.8-5.6°C) during a total eclipse.

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Changing winds -

Along with the temperature drop, places experiencing an eclipse can expect a change in wind direction.

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Changing winds -

At first, the wind dies down as the moon gets closer to blocking the sun.

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Changing winds -

After the moon covers the sun, the wind starts to kick back up, often blowing in a different direction. This occurs with total, annular, and even partial eclipses.

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Radio interference -

On top of temperature and wind, both total and annular eclipses mess with certain radio wave frequencies, and nobody is quite sure why.

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Radio interference -

Scientists suspect it might have something to do with the way the sun interacts with earth's ionosphere.

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Radio interference -

The ionosphere is known to fluctuate in response to things like solar flares and solar storms.

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Visible stars and planets (total eclipse only) -

During a total solar eclipse, the moon blocks out enough of the sun's light for stars and planets to appear in the sky.

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Visible stars and planets (total eclipse only) -

Only the brightest of these will be visible. But, which ones show up will depend on earth's position at the time.

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Confused animals -

When the sky suddenly goes dark in the middle of the day, the animal kingdom can become very confused.

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Confused animals -

Crepuscular creatures, like cicadas and crickets, might start chirping their evening song, when it's clearly not evening.

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Confused animals -

Adorably, cows and horses may begin bedding down for the night, while birds return to their roost.

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Mixed-up microbes -

Not only do solar eclipses affect large animals, but small, microscopic creatures respond as well.

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Mixed-up microbes -

Back in 2011, a study published in the Journal of Pharmacy and Bioallied Sciences found that solar eclipses change the growth and shape of microbes.

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Mixed-up microbes -

The study found that the microbes became smaller and differently shaped near the peak of the eclipse. However, these results have not yet been replicated.

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Weird shadows -

As an eclipse passes overhead, most people look up to the sky. But take a moment to look at the ground.

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Weird shadows -

The shadows made by trees and other objects cause a "pinhole" effect, which look like tiny crescents.

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Weird shadows -

These eclipse shadows occur during annular and partial eclipses, and the effect can be quite enchanting.

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Shadow bands (total eclipse only) -

Seconds before an eclipse reaches totality, wavy stripes of light and dark shadows might appear on solid-colored surfaces.

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Shadow bands (total eclipse only) -

These "shadow bands" are a bit of a scientific mystery, and look like you're at the bottom of a swimming pool.

Sources: (Live Science) (Grunge) (The Washington Post) 

See also: Spectacular celestial events to not miss in the upcoming months

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