What Eclipses Have Done for Science -Quest special 21 Aug-USA solar eclipse

For the first time in nearly 100 years, a total solar eclipse will be visible across the entire contiguous United States. Professor Frank Close, particle physicist, former Christmas Lecturer and eclipse enthusiast takes us on a journey through history to uncover how these celestial events have helped us understand more about our planet, the solar system and the universe beyond.

Eclipses have been aiding scientists throughout history, from helping measure the width of the Atlantic ocean and verifying Einstein’s theory of general relativity, to allowing NASA to attempt a thermal mapping of Mercury.