In avon lake. We are sometime out from totality here, but we now know that gradually we are now starting on that path of course which has gone from mexico to canada here in the United States as well. But talking about this watch party, really, a buzzing sense of anticipation, when i think thats only grown stronger because weve all been obsessively watching the weather i think its fair to say ever since we got this assignment in recent weeks. It wasnt looking great at all times, but taking a look at the picture behind me right now, you can see a beautiful blue sky here on lake erie. Could we be in for one of the best seats in the house here in the United States . It remains to be seen but of course i think ohio definitely deserves one. It last saw a total eclipse in 1806, it once he and another one for another 400 years. Weve been speaking to people here, one nasa engineer telling me hes drove in last night, has been flipping his car. An emotional and element, a spiritual express, i believe we can go now to now to pallab ghosh. Its a big day in the Science Community. Its a big day in the Science Community its a big day in the Science Community. We are in for an incredible community. We are in for an incredible treat, community. We are in for an incredible treat, all community. We are in for an incredible treat, all across. Community. We are in for an incredible treat, all across mexico and the incredible treat, all across mexico and the United States, into canada, giving and the United States, into canada, giving one and the United States, into canada, giving one of the most Spectacular Natural giving one of the most Spectacular Natural events that we could wish to see. Natural events that we could wish to see the natural events that we could wish to see. The first thing youll see is whats see. The first thing youll see is whats called baileys beads when the last whats called baileys beads when the last chink of light starts to disappear and you see what looks like a disappear and you see what looks like a string of beads along the moon like a string of beads along the moon surface, then the final chink becomes moon surface, then the final chink becomes much brighter, looks like a diamond becomes much brighter, looks like a diamond ring, and then the moment weve diamond ring, and then the moment weve all diamond ring, and then the moment weve all been waiting for, totality weve all been waiting for, totality. This is so special because the moon totality. This is so special because the moon is totality. This is so special because the moon is exactly the right size to block the moon is exactly the right size to block the bright part of the sun, so you to block the bright part of the sun, so you can to block the bright part of the sun, so you can see the suns atmosphere. Something so you can see the suns atmosphere. Something that is usually invisible but we something that is usually invisible but we can see it in its full glory, and its but we can see it in its full glory, and its especially interesting at the moment because it is that one of its sotar the moment because it is that one of its solar peaks, so there should be lots of its solar peaks, so there should be lots of activity going on. Look for the prominences, tiny mountains but they are the prominences, tiny mountains but they are actually gigantic Nuclear Explosion some of it is because the earth explosion some of it is because the earth itself, and you can watch that if yotire earth itself, and you can watch that if youre there, for a full four and a half if youre there, for a full four and a half minutes. Thats an incredible experience a half minutes. Thats an incredible experience for anyone lucky enough to see experience for anyone lucky enough to see it experience for anyone lucky enough to see it. But even if you cant see it, to see it. But even if you cant see it. If to see it. But even if you cant see it. If there to see it. But even if you cant see it, if there are clouds, you can notice a it, if there are clouds, you can notice a drop in the light, dropping the temperature and all of a sudden the temperature and all of a sudden the animals suddenly become very quiet the animals suddenly become very cuiet. � , the animals suddenly become very cuiet. , � ,. , ~. ,. , quiet. Thats right, and i know that scientists will quiet. Thats right, and i know that scientists will be quiet. Thats right, and i know that scientists will be studying quiet. Thats right, and i know that scientists will be studying this scientists will be studying this moment closely, one day, when it comes to animals. Also humans. Just tell us about what they are hoping to learn from this particular Solar Eclipse . To to learn from this particular Solar Ecli Se . , to learn from this particular solar eclise . ,. , , eclipse . To be honest, there will be no nobel prizes eclipse . To be honest, there will be no nobel prizes won eclipse . To be honest, there will be no nobel prizes won by eclipse . To be honest, there will be no nobel prizes won by witnessing l no nobel prizes won by witnessing the total no nobel prizes won by witnessing the total eclipse because these eclipses the total eclipse because these eclipses have gone onjust as long as there eclipses have gone onjust as long as there have been a son, and moon, and in as there have been a son, and moon, and in earth as there have been a son, and moon, and in earth. And of course more recentty and in earth. And of course more recently when scientists have been able to recently when scientists have been able to observe it. So theres a lot of data able to observe it. So theres a lot of data that able to observe it. So theres a lot of data that has been collected, can be collected. Its more a case of getting be collected. Its more a case of getting the public interested in science, getting the public interested in science, looking at that corona, the suns science, looking at that corona, the suns atmosphere, when you can hardly suns atmosphere, when you can hardly ever suns atmosphere, when you can hardly ever see it. Readings will be taken, hardly ever see it. Readings will be taken, they will be noted, and its more taken, they will be noted, and its more for taken, they will be noted, and its more for the experience come personal more for the experience come personal experience as i saw earlier, personal experience as i saw earlier, you are suggesting to people earlier, you are suggesting to people dont pay too much attention in taking people dont pay too much attention in taking pictures, trying to record it for in taking pictures, trying to record it for posterity, just live the moment it for posterity, just live the moment because it is, truly is a once in a lifetime experience. Tatking once in a lifetime experience. Talking about living the moment, lets go over to mexico now because mexico is in totality, here we can hear that wonderful moment, lets take a look. Chanting cheering, screams Audio Cutting out that magical moment of totality, that magical moment of totality there in mexico, you can hear the cheers ringing out. Well be watching and waiting for similar cheers here in ohio injust over an hours time as we go into totality as well. Its very exciting, a historical moment, one that will go down in history books. It gives me goose Bumpsjust Down in history books. It gives me goose bumps just listening to down in history books. It gives me goose bumpsjust listening to it down in history books. It gives me goose bumps just listening to it and i know the Science Correspondent is also watching those images with me and london, we are connected right around the world for this moment of the Great Eclipse. And watching that, listening to those cheers, its kind of a good reminder when i was speaking to scientists that many of them are saying that even going beyond the cosmic element of this, the astronomy of all of this, nasa engineers have been telling me that at the end of the day, a Great Eclipse is also a very magical event, something that almost seems transcendent, provokes often an emotional responses we just heard there from people. Emotional responses we ust heard there from people. Emotional responses we ust heard there from people. Transcendent is absolutely the there from people. Transcendent is absolutely the right there from people. Transcendent is absolutely the right word, there from people. Transcendent is absolutely the right word, because | absolutely the right word, because all of a sudden, what we take as normal is suddenly changed for a moment. We saw in those incredible pictures, that diamond ring, and what we can see now which will be able to see for the next few minutes, so these are precious moments, just gaze at that picture, of the halo, the aura surrounding the moon. Ive been lucky enough to see it myself, and when youre there, it looks like a gigantic black pearl shimmering, hanging there in the darkness in the sky, and if you look closely, you can see Little Things that look like flares coming from the sun. Theres one just at about five oclock, thats a gigantic Nuclear Explosion, so theres some science there which is, you know, interesting, but the main experience is just being totally overwhelmed. Youre in a dreamlike state when youre witnessing it, so youve got a lot to look forward to when it comes your way. We are lucky to be witnessing it here in the United States, thank you so very much for being with us. I know in mexico what their witnessing is the ring of that corona around the eclipse which means it is a very Great Eclipse indeed for people being able to see it. Also watching it with me, and we can bring in now in now lets speak to suzie imber, professor in Space Physics at the university of leicester. This must be a really exciting day for you. This must be a really exciting day for ou. � , this must be a really exciting day for ou. V. This must be a really exciting day for ou. � ,. ,. ,. , for you. Its amazing to see these ima. Es for you. Its amazing to see these images coming for you. Its amazing to see these images coming back for you. Its amazing to see these images coming back from for you. Its amazing to see these | images coming back from mexico, for you. Its amazing to see these images coming back from mexico, im sad im not there to see it myself but its in fact interesting to know that tens of millions of people are able to observe this incredible phenomenon. Able to observe this incredible phenomenon able to observe this incredible phenomenon. Here in the United States, phenomenon. Here in the United States. There phenomenon. Here in the United States, there was phenomenon. Here in the United States, there was whats phenomenon. Here in the United States, there was whats being i states, there was whats being called the Great American eclipse in 2017, we expect this eclipse to be even bigger, certainly The Path Of Totality is wider. Talk to us about how this differs from other total eclipses. How this differs from other total ecli ses. ,. , how this differs from other total eclises. ,. ,. , eclipses. This particular path that he as youve eclipses. This particular path that he as youve been eclipses. This particular path that he as youve been showing eclipses. This particular path that he as youve been showing on eclipses. This particular path that | he as youve been showing on the coverage, is passing over through mexico, texas and up through maine and northeastern canada. In the time that you have totality is longer thanit that you have totality is longer than it was in 2017, so in 2017 you were looking at maybe a couple of minutes. Now, we are looking at four and a half minutes of totality, so the experience is longer for anyone watching, and of course thats important because as an observer, if youre in The Path Of Totality and only if you are in The Path Of Totality, you are able to remove your Eclipse Classes and actually look at the phenomenon itself before putting them on again just before the sun reappears. So that duration is actually pretty important. And is actually pretty important. And talkinu is actually pretty important. And talking about is actually pretty important. And talking about that totality and the longer duration there as you were, susie, for animals, for the Natural World, this can be pretty confusing, cant it . ~ , world, this can be pretty confusing, cantit . ~ , , world, this can be pretty confusing, cantit . , , cant it . Absolutely, suddenly day is turned into cant it . Absolutely, suddenly day is turned into night. Cant it . Absolutely, suddenly day is turned into night. There cant it . Absolutely, suddenly day is turned into night. There have i is turned into night. There have been various studies looking at the way animals respond, particularly to total eclipses, noticing the birds and insects behave differently, they tend to land and seek shelter and there are various studies that will happen during this eclipse as well to try and understand the response of the Natural World to this phenomenon. Of the Natural World to this henomenon. �. , ~. , phenomenon. And so what kind of thins do phenomenon. And so what kind of things do you phenomenon. And so what kind of things do you think phenomenon. And so what kind of things do you think scientists phenomenon. And so what kind of things do you think scientists willl things do you think scientists will be looking to learn there, notjust about the Natural World but also about the Natural World but also about the Natural World but also about the sun, the suns atmosphere as well, especially if we managed to see the corona sphere. So as well, especially if we managed to see the corona sphere. See the corona sphere. So when we have this total see the corona sphere. So when we have this total eclipse see the corona sphere. So when we have this total eclipse will see the corona sphere. So when we have this total eclipse will as have this total eclipse will as weve been seeing in the images youve been broadcasting, you can just about see the atmosphere of the sun. The solar disc itself is completely obscured and you can start to see the particles streaming off the Solar Surface. You can see some of these features that pallab was saying earlier, the sun overwhelms that parts you cant always see it. You can start to see some of these features. We have spacecraft looking at the sun routinely that do exactly the same thing, they block out the solar disk and we can start to see these features, but whats exciting about this is that we get to connect with the public. We get to share our excitement around Space Science, our subject, we get to show people Space Science in action. By us all being able to look up at the sky and observe this. So its not, as weve heard, that we are going to make amazing breakthroughs around solar physics, but its more that we get to share these images we see every day as space physicists with the rest of the world, and thats really exciting for us. So there is assistant science programme, nasa has an app you can download if you are in The Path Of Totality, and you upload images and videos that youve taken to try and tell us a little bit about the shape of the sun, so we think of it as being A Perfect Circle but it isnt. Its a slightly squashed circle and by uploading images, taking from people all across The Path Of Totality, scientists can get a better understanding of this. So there is some interesting science happening, through taking lots of images of the Solar Surface is the event happens. I dont think science gets much cooler than that, really, thank you so much for speaking with us. We can speak to our correspondent in mexico, will grant. Bring us up to date to what it feels like right there right now, the atmosphere. Right there right now, the atmoshere. � ,. , atmosphere. Its ust wonderful, wasnt it, atmosphere. Its ust wonderful, want it. To atmosphere. Its just wonderful, wasnt it, to hear atmosphere. Its just wonderful, wasnt it, to hear those atmosphere. Its just wonderful, wasnt it, to hear those whoops | atmosphere. Itsjust wonderful,. Wasnt it, to hear those whoops and cheers of excitement as totality hit. All those people who have made the journey and made the effort to be there to mark this occasion, to see this Solar Eclipse as it makes its way across the north American Continent total eclipse, that was a really exciting and touching moment for them really. Here in the capital, it is exactly as you say, as though we are approaching dusk or something, is slightly eerie feel to the city. One wonders if its going to get darker still or if thats the moment inasmuch as the residents of mexico city will see. But either way, theres a sense in which something unique is happening in mexico today, and the mexicans are among the lucky ones to be able to see it even if its just part show as opposed to along the full line of totality thats going to make its way up through durango to the north, into texas, through the United States and up to canada. What an extraordinary moment. And what a fantastic thing for children as well, and the schools, to be able to check out with their teachers or with their families, those who stayed at home to watch it. There are people on different rooftops around me who are having viewing parties, sitting in deck chairs looking at this experience through their special sunglasses. And it sort of clearly captured the imagination. The university here in mexico city, there is a very large viewing Party Taking Place there. It sounds utterly beautiful, i do have to say. But here in ohio as well, i do have to say, school is out for many kids as well but talking for this being an educational experience as well, you are mentioning that they are in mexico. And when it comes to astronomy and mathematics and being able to predict this, that is something that mexico has a strong history and. Is something that mexico has a strong history and. Yeah, exactly. It could only strong history and. Yeah, exactly. It could only take strong history and. Yeah, exactly. It could only take one strong history and. Yeah, exactly. It could only take one event strong history and. Yeah, exactly. It could only take one event to it could only take one event to inspire people, cant it . Something like this may really help inspire a new generation of mexican astronomers and scientists and mathematicians. Mexico has an incredible history and all that, not just in the modern era where the University System here is very strong in terms of its focus on science particularly in monterey for example. But historically, the entire culture is built around the understanding of mexico, mexicos place in the universe. In the ancient maya and the aztecs, really were cultures that gazed upon the sky and understood their meaning and their positions in the world in those terms. They were astronomers and accomplished mathematicians, builder structures, build their temples around the stars and the constellations. So there is this sort of romantic connection to all of that, too. But i think in terms of that, too. But i think in terms of today, its much more about living this experience and there will be people who have made the effort to move from wherever they are in the territory from the publican of republic of mexico. His parents totality is the total eclipse as it makes its way north. As you say, truly a once in a lifetime experience for so many of us, great to talk to you, will grant there in mexico. Mexico just about ten minutes out now from totality and as we await that moment, we can cross back over to our Science Correspondent, pella pallab ghosh. Just in terms of how eclipses work, is the case when it comes to Solar Eclipses that in fact the moon is 400 times smaller than the moon is 400 times smaller than the earth, but because its 400 times closer to us, it all neatly lines up and we get that moment of eclipse . Lines up and we get that moment of eclise . ,. Lines up and we get that moment of eclise . , eclipse . Cosmic coincidence is exactly the eclipse . Cosmic coincidence is exactly the right eclipse . Cosmic coincidence is exactly the right word, eclipse . Cosmic coincidence is exactly the right word, its exactly the right word, its uncanny. If the wound were any small the light would pass past it and we wouldnt see the atmosphere. It was any larger we wouldnt be able to see the atmosphere, so its an incredible coincidence that we can see it, and those whoops and cheers we heard in mexico are speeding, literally at the speed of sound, across the continent of north america, headed on its way to texas where there will be more whoops and cheers, almost like a mexican wave, for want of a better word. That experience will be spread all across the whole of the continent soul north america, something very much to look forward to. And for those who cant experience the totality, someone said to me that a partial eclipse is interesting, you can watch the sun having a bite taken out of it through Solar Eclipse glasses, i hasten to add. But even if 1 of the suns light gets through, you cant see the corona. Someone said to me its a bit like going to a Football Match but not going to a Football Match but not going into see the game. With the game is, is that beautiful corona. And as you said earlier, you describe it so beautifully, it is a transcendent experience. It is almost like being in a waking dream, and once that moment of totality has passed, its still feeling quite, and an incredible high which lasts with you for hours, if not days. And with you for hours, if not days. And ust with you for hours, if not days. And just talking with you for hours, if not days. And just talking about that high on what scientists will be looking out, theyll also be studying human behaviour, wont they . Theres a lot thats online. I read one study in 2017 here in the United States, taking a look at data from x, twitter. People in The Path Of Totality were more likely to use the pronoun we as opposed to i in response to concern for others around them. All of these unknowns with regards to the eclipse. There somethin with regards to the eclipse. There something innate with regards to the eclipse. There something innate about something innate about eclipses, theyve gone on for as long as there have been human beings. Just imagine what our ancestors that went unexpectedly there was in a clothes. And eclipse. And even though we understand now whats going on, a switch flips in our mind, youre in that dreamlike moment. Youre different, perhaps, in a higher State Of Mind there i say. Theres a lot of psychological work that can be done if you want to, but far betterjust be done if you want to, but far better just to see the be done if you want to, but far betterjust to see the experience, absorb it and let it wash over you. And you havent got long to go yourself witness that. Absolutely. Im looking yourself witness that. Absolutely. Im looking to yourself witness that. Absolutely. Im looking to find yourself witness that. Absolutely. Im looking to find the yourself witness that. Absolutely. Im looking to find the one yourself witness that. Absolutely. Im looking to find the one person here in the United States who hadnt got the memo, it hadnt got the hype of the eclipse, and wonders what on earth is happening right now. Its starting to get a little darker, i almost feel like right here in ohio. But lets take a look now at the pictures in oklahoma as that eclipse starts to wait make its way across the United States. Are you getting good pictures . Yes i am, wait a second are you getting good pictures . Yes i am, wait a second and are you getting good pictures . Yes i am, wait a second and ill are you getting good pictures . Yes i am, wait a second and ill reframe it to get am, wait a second and ill reframe it to get a am, wait a second and ill reframe it to get a closer am, wait a second and ill reframe it to get a closer look. Am, wait a second and ill reframe it to get a closer look. It to get a closer look. Its ust a few minutes i it to get a closer look. Its ust a few minutes there i it to get a closer look. Its ust a few minutes there and it to get a closer look. Itsjust a| few minutes there and oklahoma before we get to totality there, itll come up in around four minutes time there in oklahoma, then well start to see it creep its way to ohio where we are. We are expecting overfour way to ohio where we are. We are expecting over four minutes if we are lucky in The Path Of Totality of darkness. That is considerably longer than what we heard in 2017, i canjust hear a few longer than what we heard in 2017, i can just hear a few people there saying oh wow they are in oklahoma, looking forward to some similar comments here in ohio, we see people start to cheer and totality of course, that is the moment we can take our glasses off for that briefest of moments. We were hearing from one nasa employee previously, who said that it is just a moment, not only to look at the sky butjust to take in the surroundings and see how your fellow eclipse watchers are reacting as well. Now we can go to Angelica Casas in eagle pass, texas. It is not totality here but everybody is already looking up with her glasses on, so were definitely anticipating it to happen injust a couple of minutes. And ijust wonder if youre noticing any changes there, whether it is the sounds of animals, birds for example, whether its starting to feel colder, can you feel the difference . Its starting to feel colder, can you feel the difference . Yes, we definitely feel you feel the difference . Yes, we definitely feel a you feel the difference . Yes, we definitely feel a gust you feel the difference . Yes, we definitely feel a gust of you feel the difference . Yes, we definitely feel a gust of wind definitely feel a gust of wind coming through that wasnt here or even five, ten minutes ago. The sky is turning a dark, dark grey. It could easily be right, you know, at dusk right now but its not, of course, its daytime. And i mostly really hear children around me because thats whats around me and they are really excited. Im not hearing animals but i do hear the noises of excited children looking up through their glasses and yelling at the parents. I see the sun, i see the sun we are just now, literally, a minute or two away from it becoming night time here. Tell a minute or two away from it becoming nighttime here. Tell me a little more about becoming nighttime here. Tell me a little more about people becoming nighttime here. Tell me a little more about people who becoming nighttime here. Tell me a little more about people who are little more about people who are watching this, they have obviously glasses, but you know, especially riggs rigged telescopes, Special Devices . Iee riggs rigged telescopes, Special Devices . � ,. ,. , devices . Ive met with people who are brought devices . Ive met with people who are brought no devices . Ive met with people who are brought up their devices . Ive met with people who are brought up their cameras devices . Ive met with people who are brought up their cameras with | are brought up their cameras with long lenses, and their special equivalent to view the eclipse with it. There people out here with telescopes that are very expensive, for some people its a Hobby Following her corpses, and theyve bought this equipmentjust to be here today, so its a lot of different equipment but also just everybody here with her glasses and kids, as i tell you, cheering right now as we are starting to see the sky become darker. find now as we are starting to see the sky become darker. And angelica, you know as well sky become darker. And angelica, you know as well as sky become darker. And angelica, you know as well as i sky become darker. And angelica, you know as well as i do sky become darker. And angelica, you know as well as i do we sky become darker. And angelica, you know as well as i do we live sky become darker. And angelica, you know as well as i do we live in sky become darker. And angelica, you know as well as i do we live in a know as well as i do we live in a very online connected world, we seem to always be attached to our phones these days, ijust wonder if youre noticing people putting away their phones, kind of a feeling of connection, people coming together to enjoy this eclipse. Yes. To enjoy this eclipse. Yes, definitely. To enjoy this eclipse. Yes, definitely. Some to enjoy this eclipse. Yes, definitely. Some of to enjoy this eclipse. Yes, definitely. Some of them | to enjoy this eclipse. Yes, definitely. Some of them have to enjoy this eclipse. Ye definitely. Some of them have their phone because they are taking photos of whats happening, but for the most part, people are looking up, they are together, they come together. People from miles away, some of them who flew in to eagle pass to this area, i think ive met more International People out of state than ive met local here, and it takes everybody feel really connected. It takes everybody feel really connected it takes everybody feel really connected. ,. ,. , ~. , connected. Very good to talk to you in earle connected. Very good to talk to you in eagle pass connected. Very good to talk to you in eagle pass texas, connected. Very good to talk to you in eagle pass texas, i connected. Very good to talk to you in eagle pass texas, i hope connected. Very good to talk to you in eagle pass texas, i hope you in eagle pass texas, i hope you relish and enjoy and take in that moment of totality with everyone there, take to great to talk to you. With me is edward bloomer, senior astronomy manager at the royal observatory. Great to have you with us. What does this day mean for you, and must be a huge day for you and in the world of astronomy . Its huge day for you and in the world of astronomy . Astronomy . Its very exciting. Im very interested astronomy . Its very exciting. Im very interested in astronomy . Its very exciting. Im very interested in public very interested in public engagement, so the fact that so many people are going to be able to witness this from it sounds like, its very special. It helps spread the correct message about the importance of astronomy and raise the interest in science, so its very important, i think. When we have that moment of totality, four and a half minutes if we are lucky we are hoping for in ohio, it will notjust be the potential corona, there is also the potential corona, there is also the potential to see other stars. Yes there is historical potential to see other stars. Ya; there is historical precedent for that. Important being able to witness the stars in an awkward position that starlight bitterly coming to you at a slightly different angle because of the presence of the sun was very important for improving the general theory of relativity. It was an expedition in 1919 set up specifically to do that. So actually observing the stars in the day has historically been very important for understanding the universe. Interesting. Tell us more about the historical importance of a eclipse is over the ages. Brute historical importance of a eclipse is over the ages. Historical importance of a eclipse is over the ages. We have learned lots of things is over the ages. We have learned lots of things at is over the ages. We have learned lots of things at different times i lots of things at different times but certainly in 1919, relatively einsteins theory, was the new thing on the block but it was not definitely true. We did not absolutely know it. One of the ways we could test it was it predicts that a different deflection of light compared to say Newtonian Gravity so lots of people have been using Newtonian Gravity for a couple of hundred years in einsteins predictions were different. One way to test that would be to look at the position of known stars during the moment of and a eclipse because you would be able to see the stars without the sunlight blocking it. But the way the light was coming in would be deflected by the mass of the sun itself, in the late itself deflected by the sun. Snowing the position very, very accurately and knowing how it appeared in the pictures they were trying to take would allow was to work out whether einstein was right were newton and it turns out einstein was correct. Fascinating insights there. Great to have you with us, edward. We cannot go over to our correspondent in texas. We cannot now. Bring this up with the latest, how is the Eclipse Regressing . It