There are two primary concepts to consider while discussing a solar eclipse: the totality and the 99%. Even though these two seem really similar, they aren't at all the same thing.
First, let's address the 99%. When we discuss a 99% solar eclipse, we mean that the moon will completely obscure the sun, leaving only a tiny bit of it visible. Don't get me wrong, seeing a 99% eclipse is still very amazing, especially when the temperature drops and the sky turns dark, but it's not quite the same as seeing a totality.
These days, when we discuss totality, we discuss the genuine thing. At that point, the sun is totally obscured by the moon, leaving only the corona visible on its periphery. Let me tell you, except for the ring of light surrounding the moon, it looks like the entire universe has darkened and you are standing in the middle of the night when you witness that totality. You simply have to see it to believe it.
These days, the experience is the primary distinction between a 99% eclipse and totality. Sure, it gets cold and gloomy when you witness a 99% eclipse, but it's not the same as seeing totality. When you view the totality, it appears as though everything has momentarily halted and the entire globe is holding its breath. You get the strong impression that you're at the intersection of the sky.
The duration is another distinction between a 99% eclipse and totality. Even though a 99% eclipse only lasts a few minutes, the great spectacle is when it reaches totality. Depending on your viewing angle, it may go on for several minutes. And believe me when I say that those minutes will seem the fastest you've ever experienced, as if time is passing more quickly than usual.
The appearance of the sky during a 99% eclipse differs from that of the totality. The sky darkens when the moon partially obscures the sun, but not to the same extent as when the moon entirely blocks out the sun. When totality occurs, the sky becomes as dark as midnight, allowing you to see planets and stars that are ordinarily hidden from view during the day. It appears as though a completely new world is opening up before your very eyes.
Not to be overlooked is the corona. You may catch a glimpse of the sun during a 99% eclipse, but it's not the same as seeing the corona during totality. Only during a total solar eclipse can one see the sun's outer atmosphere, or corona. It appears as though a ring of fire surrounds the moon, dancing in the sky during its fleeting totality.
Something more to think about is the difference in impact between a total solar eclipse and a 99% eclipse. A 99% eclipse may be fascinating to witness and experience, but it won't have the same impact on the surrounding environment as a total eclipse. Animals may behave strangely, the temperature may drop dramatically, and humans may be touched by the event's beauty and power during totality. It's as though the natural world is performing for you to see.
When it comes down to it, there is literally a night and day difference between a 99% solar eclipse and totality. You can get a taste of what a total eclipse is like with a 99% eclipse, but it's not the same. You get the impression that you're standing on the edge of the universe during totality, witnessing something genuinely amazing unfold before your very eyes.
Thus, the next time you hear about a solar eclipse, be sure to understand the distinction between a totality and a 99% eclipse. And don't pass up the opportunity to see a total solar eclipse if you ever get the chance. It's an experience of a lifetime that will make you appreciate the grandeur of the cosmos.
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