2024 Solar Eclipse - Sharp and Fuzzy Shadows

When the Sun is a full globe in the sky, it is an extended source of light and all shadows cast to the ground have fuzzy edges. This experiment demonstrates that as the partial phases become a crescent shape, the light reaching Earth creates shadows with sharp edges if the object creating the shadow is in line with the crescent in the sky. The shadow created by an object perpendicular to the crescent continues to create fuzzy edges because the long length of the crescent still behaves as extended.
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[@monsterboi2911]

your app really helped me with all the timings, did all of the examples you and smarter every day did, and every one of them worked! shadow bands blew my mind when it happened, again, thanks for the app

[@solareclipsetimer]

Great report! So happy to know I helped you. Thanks for using the app.

[@ezucker]

Nice demonstration!

[@rabidsamfan]

Excellent explanation!

[@solareclipsetimer]

Hi, thanks for your comment. i find this to be a fascination partial phase phenomena. I have a full video about the concept on my channel, look for that video called "Eclipse Fussy Shadows." I will be doing another long format video on this phenomenon soon. Thanks

[@jamestlynn]

I’m trying to decide whether to go to Spain, Egypt, or Australia for the next eclipse and was curious, since you’ve seen many eclipses, what’s your opinion on the sun/moon elevation pertaining to making totality more dramatic? I notice that Spain 2026 is a low elevation/sunset eclipse and always thought it would be cool to see: 1. A orangish fiery looking corona since the corona’s light is scattered similar to sunset light and 2. An apparently “huge” moon disc covering the sun due to the moon horizon illusion. I’ve heard conflicting opinions on whether it’s a better experience or not. For example some say it’s not as cool and you don’t really get to see the corona as it really is. What’s your opinion? Lately I’ve been going outside and looking at the moon and have come to the conclusion that 15-20 degrees above the horizon is likely the solar eclipse totality sweet spot. Low enough that you get to look AT it instead of having to looking UP at it. But still high enough that you get the full solar eclipse experience and people inland won’t miss it. PS I’m also going to email you this question

[@jcKobeh]

Hi! Thank you for the app and all your science communication work. I didn't get the whole clear skies and shadow bands (you know how the clouds behaved over on Texas) but I still got to see totality as the clouds parted at just the right moment. After totality happened, the lower level clouds that had been partially blocking the view completely went away. I'm guessing the temperature drop and the wind that came with it were enough to push them along.

[@solareclipsetimer]

Thanks for you nice comment. Happy to help!

[@brodymk45]

That is really cool! I really enjoyed your app, it was really helpful. I had to yell out loud because people didn’t hear the announcements from the app, they got startled when I did. I didn’t see shadow bands or the purkinje effect sadly, maybe it was too hazy in my location? Luckily I got to see the whole eclipse. During totality, I was really surprised how big the moon was in the sky. And the moon was pink, was that because it was hazy?

[@solareclipsetimer]

Thanks for using the app and your support. I am glad it helped you.

[@Sunset4Semaphores]

*BING; BING; BING; BING!!! ECLIPSE EVENT!!! OPEN APP!!!* :P

[@solareclipsetimer]

Exactly!! Lol!

[@Bur69420]

The guy from the smartereveryday eclipse vid ? :0

[@solareclipsetimer]

Yes, it's me. Check out the other eclipse educational videos on my KZbin channel. There will be new videos coming out as I analyze my 2024 data and start preparing for the 2026 eclipse. I will probably go to Spain.

[@onedollasnake]

@@solareclipsetimerIs lower Spain for 2027 alright for cloud cover averages?

[@solareclipsetimer]

@@onedollasnake The area in central Spain, northeast of Madrid is quite good.