Why solar eclipses are so rare – an astronomer explains

Special newsletter on the science, spirituality and business of the solar eclipse US Edition - Today's top story: Solar eclipses result from a fantastic celestial coincidence of scale and distance [View in browser]( US Edition | 5 April 2024 [The Conversation] [The Conversation]( On Monday, millions of people across the U.S. will have the chance to view a total solar eclipse, a celestial event where the Moon lines up with the Sun and blocks its light. Many people who have had the chance to see one from the path of totality describe the event as otherworldly, with the light taking on a new quality. It’s no wonder that these events have held spiritual significance for both ancient people [like the Maya]( and [some modern Christians](. [As Penn State astronomer Christopher Palma explains](, the science behind solar eclipses is pretty spectacular – and coincidental. The Sun is about 400 times larger than the Moon and it’s also 400 times more distant, which means that the Moon can appear about the same size as the Sun when seen from Earth. Add in factors like the tilt of Earth’s orbit, and it makes sense why these events don’t just happen every month. If you live along the path of totality, which stretches from Texas, across the Midwest and up toward Maine, or you’re traveling to view the eclipse, make sure to bring a pair of certified eclipse glasses. When you look up at the Sun – even if it’s partly covered by the Moon – [you can damage your eyes](. These glasses help prevent that damage. But watch out for fakes. Some online marketplaces sell phony eclipse glasses that won’t protect you. Supply chain experts [Henry Jin of Miami University and Simone Peinkofer from Michigan State recommend]( checking the brand you get with the American Astronomical Society’s list of approved manufacturers. You might also want to bring your smartphone to take some pictures. Even if phone cameras aren’t great at capturing the Moon or Sun, photography professor [Douglas Goodwin writes that]( changing a few simple settings can take the photos you snap of your surroundings during the eclipse to the next level. Just remember to take a few moments to put your camera down and take in the event. Mary Magnuson Assistant Science Editor Solar eclipses happen because of a few factors, including the Moon’s size and distance from the Sun. AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley [Solar eclipses result from a fantastic celestial coincidence of scale and distance]( Christopher Palma, Penn State Many people will see a dazzling eclipse this April, but these events are possible only because of the sizes and precise distances between Earth, the Moon and the Sun. A total solar eclipse is seen above the Bald Knob Cross of Peace on Aug. 21, 2017, in Alto Pass, Illinois. AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast [For some Christians, a solar eclipse signals the second coming of Christ]( Eric Vanden Eykel, Ferrum College A scholar of early Christian literature writes that religious theories around celestial events are part of a larger human pattern to find meaning. And they go back thousands of years. You don’t need a nice professional camera to snap photos of this year’s eclipse. George Frey via Getty Images News [Looking to photograph a solar eclipse with your smartphone? Try these features and think about creative angles]( Douglas Goodwin, Scripps College Your phone can’t take a perfectly clear picture of a solar eclipse like a professional camera can, but there are lots of other creative directions you can take to capture the rare moment. [For the Maya, solar eclipses were a sign of heavenly clashes − and their astronomers kept sophisticated records to predict them]( Kimberly H. Breuer, University of Texas at Arlington The skies and the gods were inseparable in Maya culture. Astronomers kept careful track of events like eclipses in order to perform the renewal ceremonies to continue the world’s cycles of rebirth. [During the 2024 eclipse, biologists like us want to find out how birds will respond to darkness in the middle of the day]( Kimberly Rosvall, Indiana University; Liz Aguilar, Indiana University Since an eclipse only lasts a few minutes, you need more than just a handful of scientists running around collecting data on bird activity. That’s where a new app comes in. [How safe are your solar eclipse glasses? Cheap fakes from online marketplaces pose a threat, supply-chain experts say]( Yao "Henry" Jin, Miami University; Simone Peinkofer, Michigan State University Don’t skimp on your eye safety. [Total solar eclipses, while stunning, can damage your eyes if viewed without the right protection]( Geoffrey Bradford, West Virginia University Now’s the time to get your hands on a pair of eclipse glasses in preparation for April’s display of celestial wonder. - [3 ways to use the solar eclipse to brighten your child’s knowledge of science]( David J. Purpura, Purdue University; Lauren Westerberg, Purdue University; Sona Kumar, Purdue University If you have young kids, the solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, represents a rare opportunity to teach them about science. - [How eclipses were regarded as omens in the ancient world]( Gonzalo Rubio, Penn State More than 2,000 years ago, the Babylonians understood the cycle of eclipses. They also regarded them as signs that could foretell the death of a king. - [April’s eclipse will mean interruptions in solar power generation, which could strain electrical grids]( Vahe Peroomian, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences When the Moon blocks the Sun during an eclipse, utility suppliers have to pull power from the grid to make up for gaps in solar energy. - [An eclipse for everyone – how visually impaired students can ‘get a feel for’ eclipses]( Cassandra Runyon, College of Charleston; David Hurd, Pennsylvania Western University Eclipses are rare, fantastic celestial events. Here’s how educators can help visually impaired students enjoy eclipses alongside their sighted peers. - [What would a solar eclipse look like from the Moon? An astronomer answers that and other total eclipse questions]( Shannon Schmoll, Michigan State University An astronomer explains how. why and when eclipses happen, what scientists can learn from them, and what they would look like if you were standing on the Moon. - - More of The Conversation Like this newsletter? You might be interested in our weekly and biweekly emails: • [Weekly Highlights]( • [Science Editors' Picks]( • [Giving Today]( [New!] • [This Week in Religion]( • [Politics Weekly]( • [Global Perspectives]( • [Global Economy & Business]( Follow us on social media: • [Threads]( • [Bluesky]( • [Mastodon]( • [Post.news]( • [LinkedIn]( • [Instagram]( • [Facebook]( • Or [get a daily text from us]( - - About The Conversation We're a nonprofit news organization dedicated to [helping academic experts share ideas with the public](. We can give away our articles thanks to the help of foundations, universities and readers like you. 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