How the solar eclipse will help NASA

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – It's not just an historic sky show for Americans in the path of the total eclipse of the sun.

"It's a rare sight we haven't seen in seven years," NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said.

On April 8th, millions of Americans will put on funny glasses and look to the sky to see a total eclipse of the sun.

"As the moon passes in front, in between the Sun and the Earth," Nelson said.

While those of us in the path of the eclipse will marvel at the show, as day turns into night, NASA says this is also a serious scientific event.

"The eclipse gives us a unique opportunity to collect data that may give insights into the future of our star," NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy said.

Melroy said a major focus will be on the Sun's corona, the outermost part of the Sun's atmosphere.

"This is a very elusive region. And it can be viewed during a solar eclipse in a very special way," Melroy said.

Melroy says NASA hopes to collect data to better understand the ionosphere, part of the earth's atmosphere.

"Understanding how solar energy affects the ionosphere is crucial for predicting and mitigating potential disruptions to our technology," Melroy said.

For the amateur scientists among us, NASA says there are smartphone apps, designed to measure the size and shape of the sun and record the temperature to so we can see the effect on the atmosphere.

The path of totality, the route where the moon will cover 100% of the sun, will stretch across multiple U.S states.

Nelson wants to remind us, not to look directly at the Sun during the event.

"Please, please put those glasses on," Nelson said.