ECLIPSES MOON TOPICS A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z                    HOME ABOUT CATEGORIES SITE MAP COPYRIGHT ADVERTISE CONTACT entire Web this site Baily's beads Baily's beads seen during a total-annular eclipse on May 30, 1984. Photo by Richard Sweetsir Small “beads” of sunlight that shine through the valleys on the limb of the Moon in the instant before (or after) totality in a solar eclipse. They are named after the English astronomer Francis Baily (1774-1844) who first drew attention to them in 1836. See also diamond ring effect. Related categories    • ECLIPSES    • MOON TOPICS Also on this site: Encyclopedia of Alternative Energy & Sustainable Living Encyclopedia of History Transport Concepts & Designs (partner site) BACK TO TOP