Solar Eclipses as a Teaching Opportunity in Relativity

Abstract

Total solar eclipses represent a challenging but spectacular opportunity to introduce curious students to the wonders of general relativity through the phenomenon of light deflection (gravitational lensing). During the Great American Eclipse of 2017, we were among a small number of teams attempting to repeat Eddington’s iconic observations of 1919, which played a pivotal role in establishing Einstein’s theory as the governing theory of gravity. We were not quite successful on the observational front, but acquired an excellent composite image from a fellow astronomer. Analysis of this image allowed us to obtain a result consistent with Einstein’s theory. It is remarkable that such an experiment, which once required the resources of the British government, can now be attempted with reasonable hope of success by teachers and their students. We look forward to our next chance in 2024.