Total solar eclipse Montage of two images of the Sun white during a total solar eclipse The first exposure was taken as the last light from the Suns surface was just visible before being completely covered the second was taken four minutes later as the Suns surface had just become visible again When the sunlight shines through canyons on the lunar surface brights segments known as Bailys Beads are seen At totality the moon fits completely over the sun and only the suns corona outer atmosphere is visible The period of totality may last for a few seconds or up to a maximum of minutes seconds This eclipse was photographed on March from Side Turkey