A rare, spectacular total eclipse of the sun - Andy Cohen
1,093,013 Views
18,027 Questions Answered
TEDEd Animation
Let’s Begin…
How can the tiny moon eclipse the sight of the gargantuan sun? By sheer coincidence, the disc of the sun is 400x larger than the disc of the moon, but the sun is 390x farther from Earth -- which means that when they align just right, the moon blocks all but the sun's glowing corona. Andy Cohen details this extraordinary celestial phenomenon (and when it will next occur).
The width of your pinky finger held at arms length will appear to be about twice the width of the Full Moon. How can this be true for people with very large pinky fingers and for people with very small pinky fingers? (if it helps, draw a diagram to help you answer the question)
Sign in to answer questionAbout TED-Ed Animations
TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »
Meet The Creators
- Educator Andy Cohen
- Animator Bevan Lynch
- Narrator Brian Bender
