The Most Famous Eclipse in History with Joe Rao

About This Episode

What is going on with eclipses? Neil deGrasse Tyson and comedian Chuck Nice learn about some upcoming eclipses and famous eclipses of the past with meteorologist and eclipse chaser, Joe Rao.

What is the most famous solar eclipse in physics? Learn how a solar eclipse helped Arthur Eddington confirm Einstein’s general theory of relativity and why Mercury’s orbit had scientists inventing another planet called Vulcan. When will the next eclipse be?

What is it like inside a moon’s shadow? What is the longest eclipse on record? Find out about the different types of eclipses. What is an annular eclipse? What is the most interesting thing about eclipses? Neil talks about his experiences watching eclipses and what totality is like. What is an eclipse’s effect on wildlife? What animal behaves the weirdest?

What is the earliest record of an eclipse? Discover what eclipses meant in ancient China and the impact of other eclipses in history. What do we know about ancient cultures and eclipses? Plus, how would a flat earther explain a lunar eclipse?

Thanks to our Patrons Rob Arifur, Peter Kariuki, Tina Anapolsky, Micheal Bishara, Rebecca Cain, John Aaron, and Stephan Kokot for supporting us this week.

NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can listen to this entire episode commercial-free.