Solar eclipse 2024: Why wearing red or green could enhance your solar eclipse experience
Choosing the right colors to wear won’t just be about looking good – there’s a science behind the reason why experts say you should think about wearing red or green.
Best ways to view this year's total solar eclipse
We are eagerly anticipating America's total solar eclipse on April 8. During this phenomenon, the moon will come between the Earth and the Sun, resulting in the Sun being covered in our sky. However, it's important to note that the total eclipse will only be visible along a narrow path on Earth.
A total solar eclipse will plunge millions of people into darkness from Texas to Maine in just a few weeks on April 8, and while solar eclipse glasses will help you safely enjoy the once-in-a-lifetime event, that isn’t the only thing that will enhance the experience.
That’s because choosing the right colors to wear won’t just be about looking good – there’s a science behind the reason why experts at Solar Eyeglasses say you should think about wearing red or green.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT APRIL'S TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE
A map showing cities along the 2024 eclipse path of totality.
(FOX Weather)
First, let’s go back to high school: We learned in anatomy class that our eyes use millions of rods and cones to be able to see.
In normal daylight, our eyes use the cone cells of the retina to see colors clearly and function best under bright light conditions, which is called photopic vision.
But as it starts to get darker, our eyes switch to the rod cells, which are better for low-light vision, or scotopic vision.
WHO WILL BE ABLE TO SEE THE APRIL 2024 TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE?
A map of the total solar eclipse path and totality start times across some U.S. cities.
(FOX Weather)
A few minutes before the eclipse becomes total, Solar Eyeglasses says we enter the intermediate phase known as the mesopic vision zone. It’s not too bright and isn’t too dark, but the colors don’t seem to be as vibrant and turn grayish or silvery.
During that time, our cone cells will receive less stimulation, which will lead to a decrease in the vibrancy or saturation of colors.
This is noticeable with warm colors like red and orange.
WHERE YOU ARE LIKELY TO SEE THE APRIL TOTAL ECLIPSE BASED ON CLOUD COVER FORECASTS
Excitement builds as total solar eclipse draws near
Deputy Director of Heliophysics at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center Gina Dibraccio joins FOX Weather to talk about exactly what will happen with the total solar eclipse on April 8.
But green will pop and look much brighter against the dimming surroundings.
This is due to the Purkinje effect, which changes how we perceive colors in low light.
"This Purkinje effect during the coming eclipse will turn the whole experience from just watching the sky go dark to a real-life science demo on your clothes," a Solar Eyeglasses spokesperson said. "But to really see the changes in color saturation, lots of people need to wear these complimentary red and green colors. Two or five in a group of 100 wouldn’t help."
ECLIPSE TRAVELERS IN NEW ENGLAND TO EXPERIENCE OUT-OF-THIS-WORLD EXHIBIT AT PORTLAND AIRPORT
Flight to view total solar eclipse sells out in day
Shadow lovers passionate about solar eclipses have sold out a special Delta Air Lines flight departing on April 8 from Austin to Detroit, allowing passengers to experience the path of totality for as long as possible, a spokesman for Delta confirmed to FOX Weather. The flight was completely booked on Tuesday, just one day after news of the special flight was announced.
So, if you’re among the millions of lucky people to be in the path of totality, skip wearing the neutrals like black, white, gray or brown if you don’t want to fade into the background.
Instead, consider wearing red or green – colors that won’t only enhance the experience but will also give your eclipse photos a vivid splash against the dark backdrop.