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Total solar eclipses have captivated humans for centuries for their rarity, fleeting durations and world-altering effects. But, as this animation from MinutePhysics explains, these astronomical events used to be more frequent and spectacular many millions of years ago, and are, very slowly but quite surely, becoming a thing of the past. Unravelling why we happen to exist in the tail end of the total-eclipse era, this short provides a brief yet rich dive into planetary physics.
Video by MinutePhysics
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Physics
To change the way you see the Moon, view it from the Sun’s perspective
5 minutes
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Ecology and environmental sciences
GPS tracking reveals stunning insights into the patterns of migratory birds
6 minutes
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Space exploration
The rarely told story of the fruit flies, primates and canines that preceded us in space
12 minutes
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Neuroscience
This intricate map of a fruit fly brain could signal a revolution in neuroscience
2 minutes
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Computing and artificial intelligence
The ‘cloud’ requires heaps of energy to stay aloft. Could synthetic DNA be the answer?
12 minutes
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Biology
Brilliant dots of colour form exquisite patterns in this close-up of butterfly wings
3 minutes
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Genetics
Why it took a century to work out that humans interbred with Neanderthals
22 minutes
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Evolution
How – and how not – to think about the role randomness plays in evolution
60 minutes
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Physics
The rhythms of a star system inspire a pianist’s transfixing performance
5 minutes