The total solar eclipse on August 21st will be the first of its kind across the continental United States since 1979. While New York observers will not see total coverage of the Sun, we will see the Moon cover over 70% of it. In preparation for the event, this lecture will cover a wide range of eclipse-related topics. We'll see how the arrangement and motions of the Sun, Earth, and Moon produce solar and lunar eclipses - and we'll see why they don't occur more often. Eclipses have played some unique rolls in history as well, and we'll take a look at a few of those in the context of world history and physics. Finally, attendees will learn how to safely observe a solar eclipse, as well as do some observing of the sun (weather permitting) with solar telescopes.

Damian G. Allis, Ph.D. is the director of CNY Observers (www.cnyo.org), a NASA Solar System Ambassador, and author of the monthly “Upstate NY Stargazing” series for syracuse.com and newyorkupstate.com.