Monday's Eclipse a 'once in a lifetime' event NASA education specialist says

How much do you actually know about the eclipse? Hundreds of people lined up Saturday to learn from a NASA education specialist at the Charleston County Library. Not only was the specialist dropping some serious knowledge, but the library was also handing out free glasses.

Eyes will be on the sky in Charleston come 2:46 on Monday, but there are also other things to keep a look out for. NASA broke that down and explained why this event is so important to scientists.

“How is the moon, that's that tiny, cover up a sun that's that big?” Jennifer Hudgins asked the group.

Hudgins, a NASA education specialist, broke it all down for those in attendance.

"The moon is able to cover up the sun, because it's closer to us. The sun is so much further away that they actually end up being the same size, which is how we're able to view totality of an eclipse here,” Hudgins said.

She described Monday as a once in a lifetime event.

"To be here in Charleston and see totality, I can't wait. I'll be one of those looking up at the eclipse the whole time too," Hudgins said.

Glasses were handed out for safety, but Hudgins said there’s more than one way to view the eclipse.

"You can even take a colander or a strainer from your kitchen and shine it on the ground, and you're going to get many eclipses all over the ground,” Hudgins said.

But if you're safely looking up with the proper eye wear, take a look around.

"So Mercury is right near the sun, so we hardly ever see Mercury. So with the sun being eclipsed, Mercury will be visible. So, we are actually mapping the surface during that time,” Hudgins said.

She said you'll be able to see Venus and Mars, as well as some major stars, like Regulus, Sirius and the Orion constellation.

NASA scientists will be using space-based satellites to study the sun that day as well.

"During the eclipse the corona of the sun is visible, and it's the only time that we can really study the corona. We also have some jets that are going to be flying for NASA that's going to follow the path of the eclipse and the shadow of the moon across the country. So, those satellites can study the corona longer," Hudgins said.

Let's block ads!(Why?)

Read Again Monday's Eclipse a 'once in a lifetime' event, NASA education specialist says : http://ift.tt/2x1JsNU

Let's block ads! (Why?)