How to stand inside the total solar eclipse of 12 August 2026

One thousand. That is the light gap between a 99 percent eclipse and a 100 percent eclipse. At 99 percent the open sliver of photosphere still pours about 1,000 lux over you, the light of an overcast noon. Your pupils adapt and nothing feels wrong. At 100 percent the light drops to the level of a full moon. The corona unfolds, Venus switches on, and the horizon runs a 360 degree sunset. On…