• Scientific method: Cycle of prediction, observation, theory.
• Astronomy: Study of celestial objects to understand laws of universe.
• Seasons: Summer has longer days and more intense sunlight due to tilt of rotational axis.
• Moon phases: Fraction of sunlight reflected off moon that can be seen from Earth changes.
• Eclipses: Lunar has moon shadowed by Earth; solar has Earth shadowed by moon.

• Planet: round body that orbits sun in cleared path.
• Moon: body orbiting around a planet.
• Star: large ball of gas powered by nuclear fusion at core.
• Astronomical Unit: distance from Earth to sun is 1 AU.
• Galaxy: gravitationally bound group of many stars.

Locations are rarely convenient, and planning a successful eclipse trip involves specialized maps, astronomical charts, statistical weather data, GPS and optical gear, backcountry camping equipment (perhaps), and a good working relationship with uncertainty.

The reward, though, can be like a short trip into space. The corona itself is a big freakish thing: a feathery halo of streaming particles along magnetic field lines, which look not like nice summer rays but kill-you-dead radiation.