Sun-Earth Connection Education Forum Podcasts
Transcript of Sun-Earth Day 2006 Podcast, Program 1
Humankind's fascination with the moon has been evident throughout history. Solar eclipses have dazzled us for thousands of years. They really are quite amazing to watch!
For a few minutes, the Moon's dark form covers the blinding disk of the sun as the moon passes between the sun and earth. If you happen to be at the right place at the right time, you will see day turn to night, and the sun vanish behind a mysterious black disk. Many ancient people were terrified of eclipses, but today we enjoy them for the thrilling, and harmless, spectacles that they really are - but remember, to avoid eye injury never look directly at the sun!
By the way, did you know that, every year, there are usually two solar eclipses visible from somewhere on earth?
Welcome to the first in a series of NASA podcasts that will explore solar eclipses, and how humans have studied them for millennia.
These podcasts will connect you to the cultural history, math and science behind solar eclipses, and why we still find them so exciting to watch today. When a total solar eclipse can be viewed somewhere on earth, we will take you LIVE to a country along the path of totality. Thanks to modern Internet technology, you will see the eclipse as it is happening no matter where you are in the world.
For five years, NASA has called this celebration of solar eclipses and the sun-earth connection, Sun Earth Day. Sun Earth Day normally occurs around the spring equinox in March, and celebrates the connection between the earth and sun through scientific research and descriptions of ancient cultural knowledge.
For details about this year's Sun-Earth Day program, you can visit our website at sunearthday.nasa.gov to explore our classroom resources for teachers and students. You will also find information on public programs being conducted at many museums and science centers around the world.
Did you know that the earliest solar eclipse was recorded by Babylonian astronomers on May 3, 1375 BC? Our Technology Through Time resource will introduce you to the historical progress of science in studying the sun and solar eclipses. Meanwhile, a series podcasts, just like this one, will appear in March, with interviews by scientists, historians, students and teachers.
The next total Solar eclipse viewable from North America will not happen until May 20, 2012...but why wait until then to see one? A total solar eclipse will occur only a few weeks from now on March 29, 2006. It's path will pass through countries like Nigeria, Libya ,Turkey and Russia. But you don't have to be on this narrow band of darkness to experience this spectacular event. This eclipse will be watched by tens of millions of people around the world -- people just like you who have access to the Internet! So get prepared, because on March 29, we will bring the eclipse to you live from Side, Turkey, through an online webcast!
Eclipses are best enjoyed in the company of other people, that's why our next podcasts will introduce you to people experiencing this event from the path of totality in Side, Turkey! In the next podcast, we will fill you in on where to go to view the eclipse on the internet, and what to look for when it happens. This is an experience you don't want to miss!
See you next time!
Sun Earth Day is a program sponsored by the NASA Sun-Earth Connection Education Forum at the Goddard Space Flight Center, and at the UC Berkeley Space Sciences Laboratory.
To find out more about Sun Earth Day, visit our website at sunearthday.nasa.gov for eclipse details.
