 Hi there, I'm Danny Millis-Salvovich, Associate Professor of Physics and Astronomy at Purdue University and I'm answering some of your top questions about the upcoming solar eclipse. So, what exactly happens during a solar eclipse? A solar eclipse is a super special event that only happens when the moon passes in a very specific way between the Sun and the Earth, casting a shadow on the Earth that blocks the Sun's light, either fully or partially. This year, a large part of the United States, including right here in Indiana, will get to see a total solar eclipse, which means that for a few minutes on April 8th, the moon will completely block the Sun from our view. The whole event can take up to three hours, but the Sun is only completely dark for a few minutes. You might be asking, how is that possible if the Sun is so much larger than the moon? Well, it just so happens that even though the Sun is about 400 times wider than the moon, it's also about 400 times further away. In the end, the two look roughly the same size in the sky. Seeing a total eclipse is one of the most profound cosmic experiences we can have on Earth. Seeing it in Indianapolis together at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Be sure to join us at our total solar eclipse event. Get tickets now at purdue.university forward slash solar dash eclipse. Boiler up.