Diamond ring effect at the beginning (left) and end (right) of totality during the total solar eclipse of August 21st 2017.This effect is seen when a tiny fragment of the solar disc flares out from behind the Moon for a few seconds, looking like a diamond on a ring. Solar eclipses occur when the Moon passes across the Sun as seen from Earth. This eclipse tracked across a narrow portion of the contiguous United States from Lincoln Beach, Oregon, in the north west, to Charleston, South Carolina, in the south east. A partial solar eclipse was visible across the entire North American continent. Solar eclipses usually occur less than once a year, and can only be seen from a small area of the Earths surface. Photographed near Idaho Falls, Idaho, USA.Dr Juerg AleanScience Photo Library