Solar eclipses explained in 90 seconds

By
The Office of Communications
on Aug. 21, 2017, 10:20 a.m.
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Professor of Astrophysical Sciences Amitava Bhattacharjee explains how solar eclipses occur, the difference between a partial and total eclipse, and how to view Monday's eclipse in the United States. 

Video by
Nick Donnoli, Office of Communications

On Monday, Aug. 21, a solar eclipse will be visible throughout North America.

In this video, Amitava Bhattacharjee discusses the ways in which the sun, moon and Earth align to create this phenomenon. Bhattacharjee, a professor of astrophysical sciences and head of the theory department at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, also offers a few tips on watching the eclipse. 

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