Mysterious ‘shadow bands’ may appear during August 12 solar eclipse

The solar eclipse on August 12 may also allow skywatchers to witness ‘shadow bands’, which appear as thin, wavy lines or ripples on roads, walls, sand or sheets placed on the ground. As the Moon moves almost completely across the Sun, the last sliver of sunlight narrows. This unusual light interacts with Earth’s atmosphere, creating changing bright and dark patterns.