There's lots of talk about the upcoming solar eclipse next Monday. What doesn't seem to get much airtime is any discussion of how extraordinary a total eclipse of the sun is - not just its rarity but also the factors that have to be precisely fine-tuned for such a phenomenon to occur.
For instance, the apparent circumference of the moon's disc is exactly the same as that of the sun. This can only happen if the earth, moon and sun are almost exactly the distances they are from each other and almost precisely the sizes they are.
The following five and a half minute video was made during and after a 1995 solar eclipse and features astronomer Guillermo Gonzalez and philosopher of science Jay Richards.
Richards points out that our location in the galaxy, the size of our earth, the nature of its atmosphere, the type, size and age of the star we orbit, the structure of the solar system we're located in, as well as a host of other factors, are not only optimal for observing solar eclipses from which we can glean an enormous amount of scientific information about our universe, but these factors are also optimal for the existence of intelligent life and scientific discovery.
If that's a coincidence it's certainly a remarkable one. The beauty of the eclipse inspires awe and wonder. So, too, should the amazing precision necessary to produce such a beautiful event.
Here's the video:
