A Total Solar Eclipse will traverse the entire USA on August 21. These are THE most dramatic, rare, celestial phenomena humans can experience with the unaided eye (i.e., no telescope). A partial solar eclipse, which Boston will experience, is interesting, but dull by comparison. The rising sun is similarly dramatic, but we are rather used to that! Hale’s lecture will illuminate the following points:

•    What are Total and Partial Solar Eclipses?
•    Why and when do they occur?
•    Why are they interesting historically and useful scientifically?
•    Why should one travel to see totality when I can stay home and see a partial eclipse?
•    What does one see/experience before during and after totality?
•    Eye Safety

Hale Bradt is Professor of Physics, Emeritus at MIT and a longtime eclipse fan. He has seen several total eclipses and has lectured on them to groups where they were taking place, including one tour group in Turkey in 2006.