A few weeks ago, the world experienced a lunar eclipse and tomorrow, on September 11, 2007, we will witness another of nature’s incredible events: a solar eclipse.

A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes completely between the Sun and the Earth. When this happens, the Sun is almost completely blocked from our view. Ancient cultures, and even some today, believed that solar eclipses were of mystical origin since they are strange and can be frightening if you don’t know what is happening.

Tomorrow, as day seemingly turns to night in just a matter of moments, be sure to stay inside and do not look directly at the eclipse, no matter how tempting it is. Though the sun seems to be blocked out, the its photosphere will still be emitting intense visible and invisible radiation which could blind you. If you’re interested in having a look at the eclipse, better to wait until nature photographers have published their photos of the event.

Total solar eclipses are even more difficult to see, as they only occur when the Moon’s umbra touches the Earth’s surface. In fact, these spectacular natural events are highly valued in the scientific community and many people travel to remote locations in order to observe the total blotting out of the sun. Tomorrow’s eclipse is not a total solar eclipse, though, as that will next happen on August 1, 2008.