The Sun, The Moon, & The Hoosier State

“The Sun, The Moon, & The Hoosier State” is a history and science podcast on solar eclipses and the people that have watched and studied them, explored with connections to the state of Indiana. It is also the ongoing story of people in our state preparing for the total solar eclipse of April 8, 2024. Join us as we learn more about the science and history of solar eclipses, and prepare for your own chance to witness an eclipse in 2024!

In this initial episode, we visit the Falls of the Ohio River, where in 1778 George Rogers Clark and his men witnessed a partial solar eclipse as they set off from their newly-established base on the Indiana-Kentucky border to attack the outpost of Kaskaskia, on the Mississippi River, and from there to take over territory that included the present states of Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio. We discuss how Thomas Jefferson, David Rittenhouse, and others across the young U.S. were observing this eclipse as well, and wonder about who else was observing that didn't leave behind records of what they saw or thought about it. We also learn about what a solar eclipse is, what makes it partial or total, and introduce the goals of this podcast. For links to resources for learning more about the history discussed in this episode, or for learning about eclipses and how to start planning your own viewing experience for next year, see the full episode notes on our website at https://www.hoosiereclipse.org/podcast.