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In July of 1878, Vassar professor Maria Mitchell led a team of astronomers to the new state of Colorado to observe a total solar eclipse. In a field outside of Denver, they watched as the sun went dark and a feathery fan of bright tendrils - the solar corona - faded into view.

But the expedition wasn't just about catching a rare and beautiful display.

Maria Mitchell was one of the earliest campaigners for equal pay. Her entire crew was female. They weren't yet allowed to vote, but they were more than capable of adding to the scientific discourse.

Plus, there was patriotic pride on the line.

Since colonial times, Europeans had derided American contributions to astronomy. Yankee eclipse chasers were out prove they were as keen-eyed and insightful as any Brit or Frenchman.

But this wasn't just about America flexing its mental muscles.

This eclipse, like all eclipses, was a window into the workings of the universe. Eclipses had - and still have - a lot to teach us.Pointing their telescopes at the sky, Mitchell and her colleagues were learning about the laws of physics, the chemistry of the sun's furnace and the size, shape and distance of celestial bodies.

For millennia, those brief minutes in the moon's shadow have brought moments of brilliant discovery. They're still important to scientists today.

Skunk Bear's latest video explores the history of eclipse science, from the earliest astronomers who began to take the measurements of the solar system, to the great thinkers who saw their wildest theories proven, to the modern scientists who still rely on eclipses to probe the sun's secrets.
You can watch more science videos on Skunk Bear's YouTube channel. Learn more about the current scientific investigations into solar eclipses here.

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In July of 1878, Vassar professor Maria Mitchell led a team of astronomers to the new state of Colorado to observe a total solar eclipse. In a field outside of Denver, they watched as the sun went dark and a feathery fan of bright tendrils - the solar corona - faded into view.

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Obviously there have been eclipses happening as long as people have been on the planet. But not every one of them has made its mark on history. We're going way back to before people understood that eclipses were just the moon passing in front of the sun - and going all the way up to an eclipse that revealed a truth about the universe that was previously unimaginable.

May 28, 584 B.C.E. - The End of a War: As recounted by Herodotus, a five-year war between the Lydians and the Medes would likely have raged into its sixth year and beyond if it weren't for an eclipse that had been predicted by the Ionians. As darkness fell over the battlefield, Herodotus says, "they ceased from fighting, and both were the more zealous to make peace."

March 19, 33 C.E. (or maybe November 24, 29 C.E.) - The Crucifixion of Jesus: According to the Christian gospels, the sky went dark for three hours while Jesus was on the cross. That's probably an exaggeration, but there were two eclipses in the area at about the right time, and each of them would have lasted a few minutes apiece. Certainly long enough to make an impression.

November 24, 569 C.E. - The Birth of Muhammad: The Quran describes an eclipse that preceded the birth of the last prophet, and modern researchers have been able to identify it as one that lasted three minutes and 17 seconds in the year 569. Another eclipse coincided with the death of his son in 632, but rather than attribute it to divine grief, Muhammad told his followers, "The sun and the moon are two signs amongst the signs of Allah. They do not eclipse because of someone's death or life. So when you see them, invoke Allah and pray till the eclipse is clear."

August 2, 1133 C.E. - King Henry's Eclipse: This eclipse made a huge impression on the people of England when it cast its shadow for no less than 4 minutes and 38 seconds on the day that King Henry I sailed to England. It seemed like a dark omen - and indeed, Henry never returned home. Of course, this was only a coincidence, but what's undisputed is that, after Henry's death in 1135, England experienced a devastating civil war lasting more than 20 years.

May 3, 1715 C.E. - Edmund Halley Makes An Accurate Prediction: Noted astronomer Edmund Halley (of Halley's comet fame) made history when he made an unprecedentedly accurate prediction using Newtonian gravitational laws. He got the time right to within 4 minutes - a few hundred years earlier, and astronomers would be lucky to get the right year.

February 12, 1831 C.E. - Nat Turner's Rebellion: You might not think that the most successful slave rebellion in the history of the United States would have anything to do with an eclipse, but you'd be wrong. The devoutly religious Turner took the February eclipse as a sign to start planning, and when Mount St. Helens turned the sun gray-green a few months later, he took that as a sign to strike.

May 29, 1919 C.E. - The General Relativity Eclipse: Albert Einstein became a global celebrity nearly overnight when his Theory of General Relativity predicted that when the sun was dark, astronomers would be able to see the light of the stars behind the sun being bent by its gravity. In one stroke, humanity gained a new understanding of the fundamentals of the universe.

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Solar eclipses come around so infrequently, it feels like a historic event just to even witness one. But some eclipses from history have taken on a greater significance than the mere darkening of the sun. They've ended wars, inspired righteous uprisings, and proven scientific theories.

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Total Solar Eclipse 2017 - On Monday, August 21, 2017, all of North America will be treated to an eclipse of the sun. Anyone within the path of totality can see one of nature's most awe inspiring sights - a total solar eclipse.

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Will The Eclipse Make Crops And Animals Flip Out? Scientists Ask

Total Eclipse Of The Stomach: A Stellar Menu Of Gastronomic Delights

As Eclipse Madness Sweeps U.S., A Stonehenge Made Of Cars Prepares

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3D Eclipse Path: Solar Eclipse 2017, August 21

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Interactive 3D map showing on a globe where the total solar eclipse on August 21, 2017 is visible worldwide. With start and end time in any location.

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Scholastic New article about solar eclipse 

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Scholastic New article about solar eclipse 

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Americans get ready for the Great American Eclipse, the first total solar eclipse to cross the U.S. in almost a century.

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Here are some ideas and connections for the phenomena of a solar eclipse and select NGSS Performance Expectations:
● K-PS3-1​: Make observations to determine the effect of sunlight on Earth’s surface
○ The cooling that happens as the Sun is covered by the Moon is dramatic, and because it comes and goes
within minutes, it is a chance to experience how much the “Sun warms the Earth”.
● K-PS3-2​: Use tools and materials to design and build a structure that will reduce the warming effect of sunlight
on an area.
○ While you are out there waiting for the eclipse to happen, you could be designing and building “shade”
and making shadows!
● 1-PS4-2​: Make observations to construct an evidence-based account that objects in darkness can be seen only
when illuminated.
○ The Sun makes a great light source for a pinhole camera projector (see image below).
● 1-ESS1-1​: Use observations of the sun, moon, and stars to describe patterns that can be predicted.

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a collection of videos explaining the natural phenomena of a solar eclipse mostly geared towards K-2 students.

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Whether you are preparing for a specific eclipse or just learning about them, this video list is for you! Check out our teacher-approved videos for preschool, kindergarten, and first grade students! (All content and video appropriate or otherwise noted!)

Not sure what time to watch the eclipse from where you live? Scroll all the way to the bottom and we will help you figure that out!

Not sure what this solar eclipse stuff is all about? Click here and we will tell you 20+ things teachers need to know about the total solar eclipse!

What is a Solar Eclipse by Free School (3:47)
This is a great video because it shows the actual moon passing the sun so the kids can see what and eclipse really is. It also talks about what the kids will experience during an eclipse. It also shows actual pictures of what will happen during this time. WARNING: right at the beginning it talks about how ancient civilizations used to think that it was an evil thing. It's quick though and you can easily pass through it. The remainder of the video is done well enough that it's worth skipping!

Solar Eclipse by The Dr. Binocs Show (3:57)

This is a great video filled with language appropriate for preschool, kindergarten, and first-grade students. It talks about what happens, what kinds there are, and even touches base on how it is not scary when it happens. PERFECT for our kiddos!

What is a Solar Eclipse? by Monkey See (1:58)

A very technical and quick definition of what a solar eclipse is. I think it fits well though because it explains the kinds of solar eclipses in a way that is very easy to understand. It also has some great computer generated videos!

When you are trying to understand what an eclipse is, it is always fun to make this fun little craft. The kids will love spinning the moon around to cover the Earth. And you can adjust the size of the black paper so the Moon goes directly over the sun for a total eclipse or between the Earth and Sun. Click here to see more fun Eclipsed Activities for Kindergarten.

Eclipses by Happy Learning English (2:17)

This is a great video explaining the difference between a lunar and solar eclipses. It does say you don't need special eyewear for a lunar eclipse, so be prepared to speak about that before going out to watch an eclipse.

Specific to the Great Total Solar Eclipse

Total Solar Eclipse Explained by Mr. DeMaio (3:43)

Another great video! This explains the total solar Eclipse perfectly. It even shows a total solar eclipse that has happened in Australia. Super cool to see for sure!

These videos are great to pair with our Total Eclipse easy reader. We like to use simple sentences, make the concept easy to understand, and have matching fun pictures to color!

Total Solar Eclipse 2017 by Kids Learning Tube (3:57)
I love this video for many reasons - I almost shut it down though because, well. LOL. It makes you want to dance the robot! But it explains the stages of a solar eclipse and safety precautions to take. It will also show the map for the 2017 total solar eclipse! Super neat!

It's always fun to celebrate with a good hat too! Kids will love creating the fun 2017 with the moon and then creating a pattern around the band! You can get this Total Eclipse BONUS pack free when you purchase the Eclipse Activities for Kindergarten! It's the perfect supplement for the big day! Click here to check it out.

This is a very informative video about the total eclipse on August 21st, 2017. I love this video because it shows how the eclipse will pass through the US - the path of totality. It discusses how eclipses happen every several years and they are rarely seen by people. It also gives a very thorough explanation of safety.

We have you covered with activities to match all these videos! A little bit of literacy, a little bit of math, and a whole lot of fun! Click here to grab our Eclipse Activities (and get the 2017 Total Eclipse BONUS pack free too!) These activities are perfect for kindergarten, preschool, and first grade students!

Once your kids know all about eclipses, you can declare them an Eclipse Student Expert. They will love acknowledging that they can answer questions all about eclipses! Click here for more Eclipse Kindergarten Activities.

Not sure when the best viewing time for the eclipse is?

We found Vox.com to be extremely helpful! It will recognize your zip code (hopefully) and give you a great little video of what the eclipse will look like. It also includes times so it is extremely helpful. Click here to see what time it will be where you are at!

Don't really know what this total solar eclipse thing is all about? We break it all down for you, click here!

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Whether you are preparing for a specific eclipse or just learning about them, this video list is for you! Check out our teacher-approved videos for preschool, kindergarten, and first grade students! (All content and video appropriate or otherwise noted!) Not sure what time to watch the eclipse from where you live?

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Eclipses visible in Portland, Oregon, USA - Aug 21, 2017 Solar Eclipse

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Which upcoming lunar and solar eclipses are visible in Portland, Oregon, USA and what do they look like?

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creative ideas for making eclipse art work

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creative ideas for making eclipse art work

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Student Project: How to Make a Pinhole Camera | NASA/JPL Edu

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Learn how to make your very own pinhole camera to safely see a solar eclipse in action.

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Why are people making such a big deal about the solar eclipse?

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Why are people making such a big deal about the solar eclipse?

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Mystery Science videos and lesson about the Aug 21st Solar Eclipse

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Why are people making such a big deal about the solar eclipse?

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Teach about the upcoming solar eclipse! If you have questions about the eclipse, read our eclipse FAQ.

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A tourist watches a solar eclipse through eclipse-viewing glasses in 2009 in Varanasi, India.

Credit: Pete Niesen / Shutterstock.com

People across the United States will have the chance to see a total solar eclipse on Aug. 21, the first time the spectacle was viewable from the continental U.S. since 1979. While it may be tempting to brush off warnings about looking up at this eclipse bare-eyed, don't: The light of an eclipse really can damage your eyes - though warnings of total blindness may be overstated.

The condition is called solar retinopathy, and it occurs when bright light from the sun floods the retina on the back of the eyeball. The retina is home to the light-sensing cells that make vision possible. When they're over-stimulated by sunlight, they release a flood of communication chemicals that can damage the retina. This damage is often painless, so people don't realize what they're doing to their vision.

Solar retinopathy can be caused by staring at the sun (regardless of its phase), but few people can stand to look directly at our nearest star for very long without pain. It does happen occasionally - medical journals record cases in which people high on drugs have stared at the sun for long periods of time, causing serious damage. Adherents of sun-worshipping religious sects are also victims. In 1988, for example, Italian ophthalmologists treated 66 people for solar retinopathy after a sun-staring ritual. [ Gallery: Our Amazing Sun]

But during a solar eclipse, more people are at risk. With the sun almost covered, it's comfortable to stare, and protective reflexes like blinking and pupil contraction are a lot less likely to kick in than on a normal day. Even pets are vulnerable to eye damage from looking at an eclipse, though they don't tend to look directly at the sun. Even so, if they're with you during your eclipse outing, your furry friends should wear protective glasses as well.

Early observers of astronomy sometimes found out about solar retinopathy the hard way. Thomas Harriot, who observed sunspots in 1610 but did not publish his discovery, wrote in 1612 that after viewing the sun his "sight was dim for an hour." Oxford astronomer John Greaves was once quoted as saying that after sun observations, he saw afterimages that looked like a flock of crows in his vision. In the most famous case of all, Isaac Newton tried looking at the sun in a mirror, essentially blinding himself for three days and experiencing afterimages for months.

Scientists don't have a good bead on the prevalence of eye damage after a solar eclipse. In one study, conducted in 1999 after a solar eclipse visible in Europe, 45 patients with possible solar retinopathy showed up at an eye clinic in Leicester in the United Kingdom after viewing the eclipse. Forty were confirmed to have some sort of damage or symptoms of damage; five of those had visible changes in their retina.

Twenty of the patients reported eye pain, while another 20 reported problems with vision. Of the latter group, 12 reported that their sight had returned to normal seven months later, but four could still see the ghosts of the damage in their visual field, such as a crescent-shaped spot visible in dim light. [ If the Sun Is 93 Million Miles Away, Why Can't We Look Directly at It?]

"Our series demonstrates that, contrary to popular belief, the majority of people with eclipse retinopathy are not totally blinded," the researchers wrote in 2001 in the journal The Lancet. However, they warned, earlier post-eclipse studies had turned up more severe problems in patients, suggesting that widespread media warnings not to look at the eclipsing sun may have prevented more damage during recent eclipses.

Research also suggests that while a lot of the damage may heal, some may be permanent. One 1995 study followed 58 patients who sustained eye damage after viewing a 1976 eclipse in Turkey. Healing occurred during the first month after the eclipse, the researchers reported in the journal Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology, but by 18 months, whatever damage remained was permanent up to 15 years later.

So, while it might be tough to go totally blind by looking at an eclipse, doing so without proper protection could leave a long-lasting stain on your vision. The only safe way to view an eclipse, according to NASA, is to use specially designed sun filters, often available at telescope stores, or to wear No. 14 welder's glasses, available at welding specialty stores. Pinhole viewers - essentially a hole in a piece of cardboard or paper - can also be used to view the eclipse indirectly by casting a shadow of the sun on the ground or on a screen. [ How to Build a Solar Eclipse Viewer: Photos]

REMEMBER: Looking directly at the sun, even when it is partially covered by the moon, can cause serious eye damage or blindness. NEVER look at a partial solar eclipse without proper eye protection. Our sister site Space.com has a complete guide for how to view an eclipse safely.

Editor's Note: This article was first published in 2012 and updated for the Great American Eclipse in 2017.

Originally published on Live Science.

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People across the United States will have the chance to see a total solar eclipse on Aug. 21, the first time the spectacle was viewable from the continental U.S. since 1979. While it may be tempting to brush off warnings about looking up at this eclipse bare-eyed, don't: The light of an eclipse really can damage your eyes - though warnings of total blindness may be overstated.

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Article for students to read about the eclipse

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Article for students to read about the eclipse

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Rare Eclipse Blacks Out Moon | Scholastic News Online | Scholastic.com

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Did you wake up early this morning to watch the moon disappear? Many people did, or tried to. A total lunar eclipse took place on Tuesday from about 2:00 to 5:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time.

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The total solar eclipse of 2017 is less than two weeks away! Whether you're planning to travel into the path of totality to watch day turn into night, or just head outside to check it out, it will be a great opportunity to make some memories. Here are some ideas to help you and the kids get ready for the big day.

1. Find out what time the moon will be passing between you and the sun. Using NASA's interactive eclipse map, you can click on the name of any town to see when the eclipse will start, when the maximum coverage will occur, and how much of the sun will be covered (obscuration). There's even a key under the map for converting the universal time to standard times.

2. Make a pinhole viewer. Remind your kids that looking directly at the sun is very dangerous, but that it's okay to stand with the sun behind them and watch the eclipse indirectly using a pinhole viewer. They'll have fun making one themselves, using a shoe box, some foil, and a pin!

3. Order ISO-approved solar glasses. NASA has a fantastic guide to solar eclipse eye-safety and a list of vendors who sell solar glasses that block out enough of the Sun's powerful rays to allow you to safely view the eclipse directly.

4. Create sun prints. Human eyes can't see ultraviolet light, but using construction paper, kids can create sun prints to see for themselves how the sun's powerful UV rays break down dyes and bleach paper.

5. Pop a balloon using the sun's energy. With the sun behind you and a magnifying glass in hand, it's fun to pop an inflated balloon by focusing the sun's hot energy on a tiny spot! Tell your kids, during a total eclipse, that the sun's rays are completely blocked out by the moon and the temperature actually drops a little bit in the moon's shadow.

6. Learn more about the sun, space, and the universe. How does our sun fit into the universe? Here are some websites, books, videos, and apps that will inspire your young scientists to learn more about our galaxy.

7. Download an Eclipse app. There are a number of free apps, including the Exploratorium's free Total Solar Eclipse app and one from Smithsonian that puts interesting and useful information at your fingertips. Don't miss their link to NASA's total Eclipse website, where you can find lots of cool eclipse facts and watch the eclipse live if you find yourself under cloudy skies on August 21 st.

The next total eclipse won't cross the continental United States until 2024, so don't miss this chance to experience this rare phenomenon with your kids. Whether you're lucky enough to see the sun's corona, or you're in a spot where the moon takes a big bite out of the sun, it promises to be an amazing show.

You can find more activity ideas at kitchenpantryscientist.com, and in my books Kitchen Science Lab for Kids (Quarry Books) and Outdoor Science Lab for Kids (Quarry Books).

Featured Photo Credit: © Quarry Books

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7 Activities to Get Kids Excited for the Solar Eclipse

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The total solar eclipse of 2017 is less than two weeks away! Whether you're planning to travel into the path of totality to watch day turn into night, or just head outside to check it out, it will be a great opportunity to make some memories.

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NASA TV airs a variety of regularly scheduled, pre-recorded educational and public relations programming 24 hours a day on its various channels.

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NASA Eclipse 2017 Live - Streaming Video of August 21 Total Solar Eclipse

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Watch NASA's video streams of the August 21, 2017 total solar eclipse, broadcast on NASA television and live from locations across the country.

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A lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes directly behind the Earth into its umbra (shadow). This can occur only when the sun, Earth and moon are aligned (in "syzygy") exactly, or very closely so, with the Earth in the middle. Hence, a lunar eclipse can occur only the night of a full moon.

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WHY SOLAR ECLIPSE DOES NOT OCCUR EVERY MONTH

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WHY SOLAR ECLIPSE DOES NOT OCCUR EVERY MONTH

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This short animation video explains why we don't experience Solar Eclipses every month.

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Why are people making such a big deal about the solar eclipse?

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Why are people making such a big deal about the solar eclipse?

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Mystery Science videos and lesson about the Aug 21st Solar Eclipse

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Why are people making such a big deal about the solar eclipse?

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Teach about the upcoming solar eclipse! If you have questions about the eclipse, read our eclipse FAQ.

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Observe the moon! Make a Sun Funnel! Perform an eclipse dance! Take a Selfie with the sun!

NASA invites you to experience the 2017 solar eclipse in many fun, creative, and challenging ways from family-friendly activities to sophisticated science projects. These activities have been designed to help engage your curiosity and challenge your mind. Check it out!

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national aeronautics and space administration

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Total Solar Eclipse 2017 - On Monday, August 21, 2017, all of North America will be treated to an eclipse of the sun. Anyone within the path of totality can see one of nature's most awe inspiring sights - a total solar eclipse.