Great American Eclipse | Full Documentary | NOVA | PBS

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Published 2024-04-04
Explore the spectacular cosmic phenomenon of a total solar eclipse.

Official Website: to.pbs.org/3TTbgR4 | #novapbs

Explore the spectacular cosmic phenomenon of a total solar eclipse. In April 2024, the Moon’s shadow is sweeping from Texas to Maine, as the U.S. witnesses its last total solar eclipse until 2044. This extraordinary astronomical event is plunging locations in the path of totality into darkness for more than four minutes – nearly twice as long as the last American eclipse in 2017. Learn how to watch an eclipse safely and follow scientists as they work to unlock secrets of our Sun – from why its atmosphere is hundreds of times hotter than its surface, to what causes solar storms and how we might one day predict them.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction
03:41 What Happens During a Total Solar Eclipse?
08:38 Protecting Your Eyes During an Eclipse
12:08 Studying the Sun’s Corona
20:24 Ancient Sightings of Solar Eclipses
27:00 Predicting Solar Eclipses and Solar Ejections
35:23 Testing a Coronagraph During an Annular Eclipse
41:26 The Heat of the Sun’s Corona
48:57 Conclusion

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#SolarEclipse2024

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All Comments (21)
  • @jdxsea
    I Witnessed this Eclipse a little over an hour ago. I cannot express how incredible this was. i was fortunate to have been in the epicenter of this. I feel so much gratitude at this moment. What an Event! I wish anyone that reads this nothing but Love and prosperity! <3
  • I watched this documentary the night before the eclipse in Waco, Texas. The eclipse was astonishing! Pictures and videos aren't the same as getting to see it in-person.
  • Got to witness this in CLEVELAND, Ohio. OMG....Above and beyond expectations! I cried!! Huge space/universe person. Been waiting for six years. Watched the entire time; 2pm til 4:28pm. AWESOME!
  • @1amybean
    Thank you, EVERYONE at NOVA, PBS —all the research institutions —that made this fascinating program possible.
  • @robgarnett3767
    I’m 52 and saw the total Eclipse in VT yesterday I never could have imagined how unbelievably incredible it was absolutely life changing!
  • @MsMarabell
    I am so excited for 4/8. It's my son's 25th birthday, and it's a solar eclipse, and we'll be seeing it in totality. Feels special
  • @greendeane1
    On July 20th 1963, I watched a total eclipse in Maine with my mother, on a hill behind the house.
  • @gradycothren2267
    Just witnessed the one here in Dover, Arkansas. It was absolutely awesome. Pictures do no justice.
  • @aubreysnyder338
    I live in Missouri. The 2017 eclipse was BEAUTIFUL! its like time stopped for a few minutes. Cant wait 😍
  • @SuperiorDave
    I'm in Fort Smith, Arkansas. I'll be driving with my family down to Russellville, Arkansas to get the full four minutes. This is a once in a lifetime gift for many people, including me. I'm going to cherish every minute of it.
  • @KingTriton1837
    I'm in Cleveland and we are directly within the path of totality! Can't wait to see it'!
  • @LordDeuce-ul7my
    That was one of the coolest natural spectacles I've ever seen. I didn't think it was going to be so cool. Ive seen some partial eclipses before, but nothing like this. That was awesome.
  • I watched Nova's "Eclipse of the Century" way back in the 90s and have been hoping to see a total solar eclipse ever since. I've been waiting for this 2024 eclipse for thirty years and it's FINALLY TIME. Thank you, PBS, for helping to inspire my love of science from a young age!
  • @melduncan4566
    Watched the eclipse in Indianapolis today. 45 years old and it was my first one. So beautiful and quite the reminder how connected we are to one another and the universe
  • @kvn8907
    I watched it from Rochester, New York. It was totally overcast. I couldn't even tell where the sun was. But it did become dark as night for three minutes. It was kind of cool, and I am grateful I didn't miss it.
  • @grmagic01UT
    I saw a total eclipse in March of 1970 on the NC coast. I'll never forget it. I was a Jr. in Aerospace Eng. at NC State so this was very significant for me and today's is too from Atlanta (about 85%).
  • @juliamason8393
    If my oldest was alive he would take pictures of this eclipse. But he passed away nearly 2 years ago. I miss him very much.
  • @jennacided6502
    I saw the annular eclipse from Chaco Canyon this last October and it was incredible. My whole family went and we were one of the last cars let into the park. Everyone I talked to afterward pretty much begged me to go see the total eclipse in April if I liked what I'd just seen. They were really great at convincing a little college kid like me! In a couple of days my family and I are headed to San Antonio to go see the total solar eclipse and I couldn't be more excited. It's going to be a true once in a lifetime event.
  • @mind-of-neo
    Who else is watching this the night before the big day?
  • @johnmcnulty4425
    Even though Ohio is supposed to have cloud cover, we're still going knowing that it might be a dud. Imagine not going and then missing out. This is a lesson in life: better to try and miss, than to not try and miss out. Regrets are the worst thing as you get older..