Turn around, Bruin eyes: Enjoying Aug. 12’s total (solar) eclipse of the heart

One of the most iconic quotes from "The Simpsons" comes courtesy of guest star and longtime Bruin by association Leonard Nimoy, who looks out his monorail window and intones with deep emotion, "A solar eclipse; the cosmic ballet goes on."

Here's hoping you're similarly moved this Aug. 12, when the world will be treated to the sight of a total solar eclipse. To hear more about this remarkable moment in space and time, we spoke with Amy Mainzer, a professor in the UCLA Department of Earth, Planetary and Space Sciences, who will serendipitously be leading an alumni trip to see next year's total solar eclipse in Tunisia.

What exactly is a total solar eclipse?

A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes in front of the sun and is so perfectly aligned that it completely blocks the sun's light. When this rare, spectacular event happens, daytime transforms into night for a few minutes. The temperature drops, and animals and birds get confused and start their nighttime routines. Because the sun's blazing surface is blotted out, it's possible to see parts of its atmosphere, called the corona. When I last saw a total solar eclipse, parts of the atmosphere appeared as bright neon-pink spokes sticking out from the sun. It's also sometimes possible to see the planets, including Mercury and Venus. It's a thoroughly magical experience that directly connects you with our solar system. Can you imagine how our ancestors must have felt thousands of years ago? They must have been terrified to see the sun suddenly disappear - but now we can explain this awesome experience scientifically.

How can people view it safely?

It's EXTREMELY important not to view the sun with your naked eyes until the moon completely blocks out the sun: This brief period of a solar eclipse is called totality. During the time when the moon has not yet crossed in front of the sun, or even when it's partially covering it, the sun can permanently damage your eyes if you look at it without special protection - sunglasses are NOT adequate.

There are a variety of techniques to view the sun indirectly given here and here. Or you can use special eclipse glasses that are certified by the International Organization for Standardization to have the ISO 12312-2:2015 certificate. Only glasses with this certificate are safe for direct viewing of the sun before and after the brief moment of totality.

Please take the time to read about eclipse viewing safety - you only get one pair of eyes!

What should everyone know about the sun that they might not?

It is ultimately the source of all life on Earth via the habitable environment that our sun provides. The sun is the source of energy for plants through photosynthesis, and those plants in turn support the entire food web, including us. Our sun is consistent and constant in the light and energy that it provides, and it will continue to do so for billions of years. We are lucky to have such a stable, well-behaved sun.

Why is an eclipse a good opportunity for people to think about space?

Eclipses are amazing. We now know exactly what causes them, and we only have them because we happen to have a moon that's just the right size and distance from the Earth to be able to block out the sun completely. That's a total cosmic coincidence. We are lucky to have our moon. Some planets, like Venus and Mercury, don't have any, or if they're like Mars, they're tiny. When you see an eclipse, even a partial one, it immediately helps you understand where we are in space and in our solar system.

What initially sparked your interest in space as an area of study?

I fell in love with space at age 6 or 7 because I saw "Star Wars" and then pictures of the Andromeda galaxy in a library book. I started stargazing and reading every book I could find on space. The more I read, the more fascinating and fun the subject became, and eventually I started thinking about what it would take to be a professional space nerd.

NASA is encouraging everyone to watch the eclipse in part because of the "profound emotional impact" it can have. Why do you think an eclipse has that kind of power?

It's hard to articulate the impact the two total solar eclipses I've seen have had on me. In both cases, I helped host large events with tens of thousands of people. Getting to see this fundamentally bizarre natural phenomenon with all those people was amazing. As the sun disappeared and "nighttime" set in, in both cases everyone started to yell at the top of their lungs. It's as if we all suddenly reverted back 20,000 years: There was this primal, thrilling feeling about seeing the sun turn into a black hole in the sky, and all you wanted to do was cheer at the magnificent sight of it.

What should everyone know about UCLA's amazing space work?

UCLA has a long tradition of excellence in space science, and I am lucky to be here working on what I love with great friends and colleagues. Science is ultimately about appreciating nature, and at UCLA, I have the freedom to pursue questions I have, like whether or not there's a major asteroid or comet impact out there in our future.

I'm in the UCLA Physical Sciences Department of Earth, Planetary and Space Sciences, and it's a pleasure to work with other faculty and staff who are passionate about finding practical solutions to planetary issues like earthquakes, climate change, space weather, and even asteroid and comet impacts.

I'm currently leading NASA's Near-Earth Object Surveyor mission, which is a space telescope we are building that is designed to find the majority of Earth-approaching asteroids and comets capable of causing severe regional damage.

How can we all be more connected to space science on a daily basis?

What I love about space science is the sense of perspective it conveys. Every time you look up at the moon or admire the sun's beautiful golden light, it's a powerful reminder that we're lucky to live on planet Earth. We are at just the right distance from a stable sun that provides light and warmth (but not too much), and we've got a moon that lights up our night sky. Most of the rest of the universe is a deadly, empty vacuum, but we live on a paradise.

Anything else you'd like to say?

Like many scientists, I'm a huge sci-fi fan, and I've been part of a movie-watching club for more than 20 years. With my friend who is a writer/producer, I've got a new podcast that just came out called "Unobtainium," where we explore the "magic" tech that makes our favorite movies and TV shows work with their stories. If you're a fan of storytelling and science, this is for you.

♦ ♦ ♦

Your UCLA solar eclipse soundtrack

Courtesy of Amy Mainzer, here are some songs to score your celebration of the sun! (And don't forget bonus track "Totality" by Jim Lang.)