What happens when the Sun suddenly disappears — and why has a solar eclipse inspired fear, wonder and awe for thousands of years?
On this episode of “Infinitely Curious“, Katerina Batzaki explores the science, history and psychology of solar eclipses, just days after the spectacular total eclipse of 12 August darkened parts of Europe.
We hear reports and explanations on what creates a total solar eclipse and why totality is so rare, including Andy Cohen’s account of the remarkable geometry between the Sun, Moon and Earth. We travel back to the ancient world to discover how people reacted when daylight vanished without warning, and hear the story of the eclipse said to have stopped a war between the Lydians and the Medes.
Writer and eclipse chaser David Baron explains why witnessing totality can become a life-changing experience, while we also examine what science really says about the effects of eclipses on the brain, mood and human behaviour — and why the emotion of awe may be the most powerful effect of all.
From ancient fear to modern astronomy, from the Sun’s corona to the psychology of the “small self,” join Katerina Batzaki for a journey into one of nature’s most extraordinary spectacles.
