On October 14, a partial solar eclipse will be seen in the skies of North, Central and South America, and an annular solar eclipse will be seen in some parts of the American continent. This “ring of fire” eclipse will not completely block out the sun like the total solar eclipse of 2017. However, the Moon will cover 90% of the Sun’s disk, depending on the viewer’s location. (You’ll have to wait until April 8, 2024 to see the next total eclipse.)

The upcoming eclipse, while not total, should still be spectacular and may still have a few odd effects. The eclipse “is the most unnatural natural phenomenon you will ever experience,” astronomer, artist and author Tyler Nordgren, who frequently works with the National Park Service, told LiveScience. Here are some weird things you might experience during a solar eclipse.

1. Bailey’s beads

If you observe a total or annular solar eclipse (safely with appropriate eye protection), you may notice a band of light on the edge of the Moon that beads like a necklace. This phenomenon is known as “Bailey beads”. Named after astronomer Francis Bayley, who described the effect in 1836, this effect is caused by the interaction of sunlight with the Moon’s rugged terrain.

2. Solar protrusions

Solar protrusions, also known as filaments, are massive structures of plasma and magnetic fields originating from the Sun’s surface. Normally we cannot see these bumps from Earth. However, during the eclipse, they can be seen behind the moon like the petals of a flower.

Reservation: NEGATIVE Look for solar protrusions or bailey beads with the naked eye! Always wear blackout glasses.

3. Decrease in temperature

Bring a jacket to watch the eclipse, as temperatures can drop quickly as the moon blocks the sun. How much depends on location, time of year and type of eclipse. Most locations experience a temperature drop of about 5 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit (2.8 to 5.6 degrees Celsius) during a total eclipse, although the drop can be greater; In 1834 a newspaper reported a (somewhat incredible) change of 28 F. Annular eclipses usually cause less extreme changes in temperature, but can still be cold. “It feels like there’s a cloud on the sun,” Nordgren said. “But there isn’t a single cloud above the sun, which adds to the magnificence.”

4. Changing winds

As temperatures drop, a change in wind direction can be expected in the regions where the eclipse occurs. First, as the moon gets closer to the sun, the wind decreases. A 2016 study found that after the Moon reaches its highest point of coverage, the wind begins to increase and often blows in a different direction. This effect occurs during total, annular, and even partial eclipses.

5. Confused animals

Live Science has previously reported that animals can become very confused when the sky suddenly darkens in the middle of the day. Twilight creatures such as cicadas and crickets may begin to chirp their evening songs. Cows and horses may begin sleeping through the night and birds may return to their roosts.

6. Coded radio waves

Both total and annular eclipses are associated with specific frequencies radio waves – and no one is quite sure why. Scientists suspect this may have to do with the sun’s interaction with Earth’s ionosphere, which is known to fluctuate in response to things like solar flares and solar storms. On October 14 (and April 8, 2024), public scientists and radio amateurs across North America will be ready to collect more data on how the eclipse encodes these transmissions.

7. Mixed microbes

Even microorganisms can be sensitive to the strange vibrations of a solar eclipse. A 2011 study of bacteria growing in laboratory petri dishes during a total eclipse in India showed that near the peak of the eclipse, the microbes became smaller and had a different shape. However, these results have not yet been replicated.

8. Strange shadows

Most eyes will focus on the sky as the eclipse passes overhead. But look at the ground for a moment; shadows of trees and other objects “create the effect”blinds”, will be punctuated by small crescents. During the peak of the annular eclipse, “you’ll see little rings of light everywhere,” Nordgren said. These eclipse shadows also appear during partial eclipses and the effect can be quite beautiful.

9. Shadow bands (total dimming only)

Wavy light and dark lines may appear on flat surfaces a few seconds before the eclipse reaches totality. “It’s like being at the bottom of a pool,” Nordgren said. These “shadow lines” are somewhat of a scientific mystery; Astronomers still don’t know exactly what causes them or why they only appear occasionally. Some scientists suggest that these lines may be a symptom of wave disturbances in the Earth’s atmosphere. But whatever they are, they are well documented; According to NASARecords about them date back to the ninth century.

10. Visible stars and planets (total eclipse only)

During a total solar eclipse, the moon blocks enough sunlight for stars and planets to appear in the sky. However, only the brightest of these will be visible, and which ones will be visible will depend on the Earth’s current position. For example, you will be able to see Venus and Jupiter during the total eclipse in 2024. Unfortunately, during the annular eclipse it won’t be dark enough for this to happen. “It never fills up at night,” Nordgren said. “But the light level changes.”