In Memory of Bonnie Tyler, a Look at Nature's Total Eclipse

The world lost a music icon this week. Bonnie Tyler, the Welsh singer behind the unforgettable 1983 anthem "Total Eclipse of the Heart," passed away Wednesday at age 75 following a health battle in Portugal. Her song's title has become part of the cultural lexicon, so in her memory, we're taking a look at the real astronomical event behind it, and the good news is you won't have to wait long to see one for yourself.

What Actually Happens During a Total Eclipse

A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes directly between the Earth and the sun, completely blocking sunlight and casting a shadow across a narrow path on Earth's surface. For a few brief minutes, day turns to twilight, temperatures can drop noticeably, and stars become visible in the middle of the afternoon. Birds often fall silent, and a hush tends to settle over crowds gathered to watch.

A total lunar eclipse, sometimes called a "Blood Moon," happens when the Earth passes directly between the sun and the moon, casting its shadow onto the lunar surface. The moon doesn't disappear entirely; instead, it typically takes on a reddish or copper hue as sunlight bends through Earth's atmosphere and reaches the moon.