[reporter] Skywatchers around the world are gearing up for the rare opportunity to see the Sun
in a new light. There is a total solar eclipse in south asia.
NASA scientists will be on the ground there and here to tell us more about what
NASA scientists will be learning from this eclipse and also what we could look forward too
in 2017, is Doctor Michelle Thaller from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, thanks for joining us.
[Dr. Thaller] Great to be here, thank you [reporter] So tell us what will happen
during this eclipse? [Dr. Thaller] Well, total solar eclipse's happen when
the angles are just right, that the moon actually moves in front of the Sun and blocks out the
light and we fall into the shadow of the moon. Tonight what's going to be
on is that the shadow is going to be passing through southeast asia. Through places like Indonesia
and Sumatra and actually going up to Micronesia where there are some NASA scientists
waiting for it. So, although this is not visible from the United States, you can still see
tonight via NASA television where our live coverage will begin at about 8pm
eastern time. [reporter] And what will be NASA scientists be doing during
this eclipse? [Dr. Thaller] A Total Solar Eclipse is a rare opportunity
where the moon actually blocks out the bright disk of the Sun and all around the
world astronomers can study the corona, which is the atmosphere of the sun
there is all this wonderful complex filaments of gas that come out
and for us this is a very important part of the Sun, because there is where solar
weather happens. These are images from the solar dynamics observatory
a NASA satellite of what we call solar storms. These are
amazing storms of hot gas and particles coming out of the Sun.
And these can affect the Earth. They can actually come towards the Earth, cause things like Northern lights
even affect our satellites. and in some cases even things like power grids.
So they are important for us to study. [reporter] Tell us about next year's eclipse?
that will be visible across the U.S. [Dr. Thaller] Well yes tonight there is actually good chance
for us to rehearse for the main event, which is actually happening in August in 2017
So mark your calendars for August 21st 2017
The path of totality will go all the way across the continental United States
So going all the way from Oregon across the midwest and finally exiting
at South Carolina, people all over the U.S. to actually get
into the true dark shadow of the Sun, and that is spectacular, you'll see
the sky go dark, you'll see the stars coming out at night, and you'll actually a sunset
that goes all the way around you on the horizon. So if you never seen one of these
please take the opportunity, they are sort of life changing event.
[report] Where can we learn more and see tonight's
live streaming event. [Dr. Thaller] Yes, to talk about where you can see the eclipse tonight
actually think about to safely to view an eclipse and learn more about NASA's
program to observe the Sun, got to NASA.gov/eclipse and
also @NASASunEarth. Right now we have almost 20 satellites
that are up running studying everything about the Sun and they way it interacts with our planet.
so there is a lot to learn about the Sun and that is what I am looking forward tonight.
[reporter] Great, thanks for joining us. [Dr. Thaller] Great to be here, thank you.