The visibility of stars, planets, diffraction coronas, halos, and rainbows during the partial and total phases of a solar eclipse is studied. The limiting magnitude during various stages of the partial phase is presented. The sky radiance during totality with respect to noneclipse conditions is revisited and found to be typically . The corresponding limiting magnitude is . At totality, the signal-to-background ratio of diffraction coronas, halos, and rainbows has dropped by a factor of 250. It is found that diffraction coronas around the totally eclipsed Sun may nevertheless occur. Analyses of lunar halo observations during twilight indicate that bright halo displays may also persist during totality. Rainbows during totality seem impossible.
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Part of the solar diameter obscured by the Moon.
Part of the solar surface area obscured by the Moon.
Limb darkening factors [14] for applied.
For solar elevation .
Value varies somewhat between different eclipses.
From obscuration of 99.7% the decrease in sky radiance stagnates with respect to that of the Sun [18, 27].
Table 2
Limiting Magnitudes during the Partial and Total Phases of an Eclipse
Part of the solar diameter obscured by the Moon.
Part of the solar surface area obscured by the Moon.
Limb darkening factors [14] for applied.
For solar elevation .
Value varies somewhat between different eclipses.
From obscuration of 99.7% the decrease in sky radiance stagnates with respect to that of the Sun [18, 27].
Table 2
Limiting Magnitudes during the Partial and Total Phases of an Eclipse