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 How Total Solar Eclipses Occur   Image Source      Total solar eclipse is a very rare natural phenomenon, it happens when the New Moon comes between the Sun and the Earth and casts the darkest part of its shadow, the umbra, on the Earth surface. There are five stages in a total solar eclipse: 1. Partial eclipse begins (1st contact): The Moon becomes visible over the Sun's disk. It looks like the Moon has taken a bite out of the Sun. 2. Total eclipse begins (2nd contact): The Moon covers the entire disk of the Sun. Observers in the Moon's umbra path may be able to see the diamond ring effect and Baily's beads just before totality. 3. Totality and maximum eclipse: The Moon completely covers the disk of the Sun. Only the Sun's corona is visible. This is the most dramatic stage of a total solar eclipse. At this time, the sky goes dark, temperatures can fall, and birds and animals often go quiet. The midpoint of time of totality is known as the maximum point of the eclipse.