NASA Scientists Share How Solar Eclipse Looks Like From Outer Space: ‘Unlike Anything’

NASA Scientists Share How Solar Eclipse Looks Like From Outer Space: 'Unlike Anything'
(Photo: Pexels/Eclipse Chasers)

A total solar eclipse was just recorded on Earth. While many were amazed by it, one NASA scientist previously shared how the phenomenon appeared from outer space.

Solar Eclipse From the Outer Space

NASA scientist and veteran astronaut Terry Virts witnessed an eclipse while in space in 2015. According to him, the incident occurred over the North Atlantic. At the time, he believed that only a few witnessed the eclipse.

Seeing it from another perspective—from outer space—he said that when he looked down, he saw a "big black circle kind of moving across the planet." He had never seen it before, and he found it "really cool."

"It was unlike anything I've ever seen," Virts added. "I joke. I'm glad they told us there was an eclipse because it would have been unsettling to look down at Earth and see this black spot moving across. It was really cool."

Virts, the face of Sonic's eclipse-themed Blackout Slush Float, said that despite witnessing numerous eclipses from Earth and just one from space, he was still ecstatic about Monday's total solar eclipse. He even rated it, saying it would be a seven on a scale of one to 10.

He expected it to be captivating and would grow somewhat gloomy. Also, he anticipated seeing the moon taking a bite into the sun.

He also warned the public to equip themselves with the right eclipse-viewing glasses because the sun is so bright. Sonic offers them for free.

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How to Watch the Total Solar Eclipse

NASA will broadcast live eclipse coverage at 1:00 p.m. EDT on Monday (April 8). The programming will feature watch parties across the country, inside looks at NASA's eclipse science programs, and live views of the eclipse from across North America. Additionally, NASA scientists and astronauts on board the space station will make special appearances.

The three-hour broadcast from NASA will feature live sites from across the nation, including NASA's only center in the path of totality, Glenn Research, as well as locations in Carbondale, Illinois, Dallas, Houlton, Maine, Indianapolis, Kerrville, Texas, Niagara Falls, New York, and Russellville, Arkansas.

NASA TV, NASA+, and the agency's website will all stream the telecast. The official app and social media channels are also platforms where you can watch NASA TV.

In addition, NASA's YouTube channel will host an eclipse watch party in Spanish starting at 1:30 pm.

NASA will exclusively broadcast the eclipse via telescopes on YouTube and NASA Television's media channel; there won't be any commentary. The telescopic broadcast will rotate based on the availability of the feed, the state of the eclipse, and the weather, and it will feature views from multiple locations, including Carbondale, Illinois; Cleveland; Dallas; Houlton, Maine; Indianapolis; Junction, Texas; Kerrville, Texas; Mazatlán, Mexico; Niagara Falls, New York; Russellville, Arkansas; Torreón, Mexico; and Tupper Lake, New York.

Three sounding rocket launches will be televised live with commentary from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia for the Atmospheric Perturbations along the Eclipse Path program. The webcast on NASA Wallops' YouTube channel will begin at 2:30 pm and end following the last three audible rocket launches.