Millions of people are expected to travel to witness the rare celestial event of the solar eclipse on Monday. The eclipse will pass through parts of 15 U.S. states and be visible to over 31 million people. But what exactly is a solar eclipse? In a clip from “Bill Nye the Science Guy,” Nye explains that an eclipse occurs when sunlight is blocked. When the earth casts a shadow on the moon, it’s a lunar eclipse, and when the moon casts a shadow on the earth, it’s a solar eclipse. Nye describes it as a “big sunlight-blocking party.”
Now, Bill Nye, CEO of the Planetary Society, joined “CBS Mornings” from Fredericksburg, Texas, which is in the path of totality. He describes the unique experience of a solar eclipse, where nature reacts to the darkening sky – crickets chirp, birds sing, and there may be a cooling breeze. Nye stresses the importance of using eclipse safety glasses to protect your eyes during the event, as regular sunglasses are not sufficient. These glasses are around 100,000 times darker and ensure safe viewing.
Nye encourages people to fully immerse themselves in the moment during the solar eclipse rather than being preoccupied with their phones. He emphasizes that this is a shared experience that should be enjoyed and appreciated by everyone. NASA estimates that 99% of people across the country will witness the solar eclipse in some capacity. The next total solar eclipses in North America are not expected until 2044 and 2045
