Total solar eclipse: The 4-minute window into the Sun's secrets

International

7-04-2024, 18:06

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BBC Followed by-INA
Eclipse fever is building. Millions in North America are hoping to spend around four minutes in total darkness as the Moon blocks the Sun's light on Monday.

For some, those precious minutes will be an opportunity for often impossible science experiments - a chance to unravel the secrets of our universe.

Researchers will fly rockets into the path of the eclipse, stand in zoos watching animals, send radio signals across the globe, and peer into space with massive cameras.

And you don't need to be a scientist to take part.

But it could still go wrong. A solar flare or even some humble clouds could throw those plans into turmoil.