Total Solar Eclipse 2016 | Live Coverage from Micronesia
If the moon crosses in front of the sun and nobody sees it, did it really happen? (Answer: yes.) Few people saw the March 2016 total solar eclipse with their own eyes because the path of totality—the area on Earth where you see the moon fully covering the sun—was only 100 miles wide. Our webcast team traveled to the coral island of Woleai, in the Pacific Ocean 500 miles north of New Guinea, to bring you this amazing phenomenon, and you can relive it here.
Featured Videos
2016 Totality Highlights
Enjoy the highlights of totality from the 2016 total solar eclipse in Micronesia. At totality, the sun is completely hidden by the moon and the full glory of the solar corona is revealed. En Español
Total Solar Eclipse 2016 | Live Coverage from Micronesia
Few people saw the March 2016 total solar eclipse with their own eyes, but you can relive it in this hour-long program.
Eclipse total de sol, marzo del 2016 en Micronesia
Un programa de 30 minutos con imágenes del eclipse total de sol del 2016 en Micronesia con interpretación dada por la astrónoma del Exploratorium.
Total Solar Eclipse 2016 | Telescope View from Micronesia
The Exploratorium filmed the March 2016 total solar eclipse from the island of Woleai, Micronesia. Now you can see it, no matter where you are: watch the telescope view of the eclipse here.
Total Solar Eclipse 2016 | Telescope Sonification
For the solar eclipse of 2016, composer Wayne Grim created a live musical composition based on data produced by the eclipse. Listen for formal elements inspired by the rotational and orbital periods of the Earth, moon, and sun.
Total Solar Eclipse - Sonification excerpt, 2016
For the solar eclipse of 2016, the Exploratorium visited the island of Woleai, in Micronesia, and trained multiple telescopes on the sun. Composer Wayne Grim created a live musical composition based on data from the telescopes.
Sneak Peek | Total Solar Eclipse 2017 | Live from the USA
On August 21, 2017, a total solar eclipse will occur over North America, visible in a thin band stretching from Oregon to South Carolina. No matter where you are, you can experience the Exploratorium livestream.
What is a Total Solar Eclipse?
Join Exploratorium astronomer Isabel Hawkins and Exploratorium educator Liliana Blanco as they explain the celestial mechanics of a total solar eclipse. Through demonstrations, they show how the moon, sun, and Earth align to create the cosmic coincidence that we see as a total solar eclipse. En Español
¿Qué es un eclipse solar?
Únete a la astrónoma del Exploratorium Isabel Hawkins quien junto a la educadora del Exploratorium Liliana Blanco explican los movimientos de los astros durante un eclipse total de sol. A través de demostraciones, ellas muestran cómo la luna, el sol y la Tierra se alinean para crear la coincidencia cósmica que llamamos un eclipse total de sol.
Why Don't We Have an Eclipse Every Month?
Total solar eclipses happen when the moon crosses between the sun and Earth, but Earth doesn't experience a total solar eclipse every month. Exploratorium Senior Scientist Paul Doherty explains why not.
Understanding Eclipses, the Earth-Sun-Moon Scale Model
Why don't we see a solar eclipse each every month? Exploratorium Senior Scientist Paul Doherty explains why eclipses, and even accurate models of the Earth, sun, and moon, are so rare.
Eyeball Safety during a Solar Eclipse
It's never safe to look directly at the sun . . . but why not, exactly? Dr. Paul Doherty demonstrates what happens when the lenses in your eyes focus light from the sun on your retinas.
The Magnetosphere
Exploratorium physicist Paul Doherty illuminates the mysteries of the Earth's magnetosphere and related space weather and describes NASA's newly launched Magnetospheric Multiscale mission to study this region.
How to Build a Sun Viewer
Check out this D.I.Y. video on how to build your own sun viewer using items that you may have lying around your house.
Einstein's Light-Bending Concept
Einstein predicted that light should be bent by gravity. This video explains Einstein's light-bending concept using nothing more than a wine glass and an LED light.
Safe Eclipse Viewing Techniques
There are many ways to safely enjoy a partial or total solar eclipse using items from around your house. Dr. Paul Doherty will show you a few of the easiest methods for safe solar viewing.
Hands-On Safe Eclipse Viewing Techniques
It's NEVER safe to look directly at the sun, but you can still see what's going on up there—you can cast images of the sun using only a piece of paper and your own hands.
Why Woleai? | Total Solar Eclipse Expedition
The Exploratorium sent a production crew to Woleai, Micronesia, to broadcast a solar eclipse live. To find a place to film, Executive Producer Robyn Higdon looked along the eclipse's path of totality and found the perfect spot.
Arriving at Woleai
Catch the excitement as the Exploratorium/NASA crew arrives at the atoll of Woleai to film the 2016 total solar eclipse. After a five-day journey via plane and boat, our team finally reaches their destination.
Setting Up in Paradise
Once the Exploratorium crew arrived on Woleai to shoot the 2016 total solar eclipse, the first step was to find the perfect location for setting up telescopes and gear. This video gives you a quick feel for the atoll, its local culture, and our crew finding their spot on an abandoned WWII airstrip.
Woleai: A Bird's-Eye View
Need a tropical vacation, no matter where you are? Check out this awesome footage of the Woleai atoll from the air. The Exploratorium visited Woleai to broadcast a total solar eclipse in 2016—but you can enjoy it anytime.
Total Solar Eclipse Program Highlights, 1998-2016
Since 1998, Exploratorium crews have traveled all over the planet, bringing solar eclipses to worldwide audiences by live broadcast. See where this exciting program has been and where it's going in the future.
