• Viewing Safely
  • About Eclipses
  • Past Eclipses
Exploratorium

SOLAR ECLIPSE

  • Viewing Safely
  • About Eclipses
  • Past Eclipses
  • Why Don't We Have an Eclipse Every Month?
    What is a Total Solar Eclipse?
    Earth-Sun-Moon Scale Model
    ¿Qué es un eclipse solar?
    Eyeball Safety during a Solar Eclipse
    Solar Eclipse: Safe Viewing Techniques
    Solar Eclipse: Hands-On Safe Viewing Techniques
    How to Build a Sun Viewer
    Einstein's Light-Bending Concept
    The Magnetosphere

Check back later to count down to our coverage of the 2023 annular solar eclipse visible from North America!

Watch the 2016–2017 eclipse videos on our free Android and iOS apps.

Total Solar Eclipse     Download Total Solar Eclipse

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Watching An Eclipse

How to View a Solar Eclipse

Learn how to view a solar eclipse safely. (En español.)

 

 

 

What to See During an Eclipse

As the moon passes in front of the Sun, the eclipse goes through stages that provide an evolving spectacle, two plus hours of steadily changing views. Click on the images to see what you can see. (En español.)

Watch a Total Solar Eclipse On-the-Go

by Rob Rothfarb • February 27, 2016

Total Solar Eclipse, the Exploratorium's first mobile app incorporating our live webcasting programs, is now available for Android phone and tablet users on Google Play.


How to Throw a Solar Eclipse Party

by Emma Bailey • February 22, 2016

Moon pies, playlists, and live streaming! The 2017 total solar eclipse is happening on August 21. Here's how to throw an out-of-this-world viewing party.


Past Eclipse Expeditions
Video: “Eclipse Chasers”
Try This! The Shadows of the Moon

Model a total solar eclipse using the real sun!

About Eclipses

Why Eclipses Happen

A total solar eclipse is a cosmic coincidence with stunning visual effects for viewers on Earth. What causes this extraordinary phenomenon?

5 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Solar Eclipses

by Emma Bailey • February 17, 2016

If you stood in one place and waited for a total solar eclipse, how long would you be waiting? Learn this and four other amazing facts about this upcoming astronomical phenomena. (En español.)


The Sun-Earth Connection
The Sun-Eating Dragon: Eclipse Stories, Myths, and Legends
Other Solar Eclipses
Transits
Solar Eclipse 2017 Map & Calendar
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