Putting a Ring on it: 2017 Total Solar Eclipse

image of the diamond-ring effect during a solar eclipse
The diamond-ring effect occurred at the beginning and end of totality during a total solar eclipse. As the last bits of sunlight pass through the valleys on the moon's limb, and the faint corona around the sun is just becoming visible, it looks like a ring with glittering diamonds on it. Credit: (NASA/Carla Thomas)
NASA/Carla Thomas
February 28, 2022
CreditNASA Photo / Carla Thomas
Historical DateAugust 24, 2017
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The diamond-ring effect occurred at the beginning and end of totality during a total solar eclipse. As the last bits of sunlight pass through the valleys on the moon's limb, and the faint corona around the Sun is just becoming visible, it looks like a ring with glittering diamonds on it.