A solar eclipse happens when the moon passes between Earth and the sun, blocking the sun from view for parts of Earth, either totally or partially.

Solar eclipses actually happen about every six months, when the eclipse season is in its new moon phase, where the moon’s orbital plane is closest to the plane of earth’s orbit. And total solar eclipses happen every 18 months, however, because the sun is only blocked from view from small parts of the earth each time, they only recur at any given place only once every 360 to 410 years.

On April 8, a total eclipse will cross North America, passing over Canada, the US, and Mexico. The sky will darken as if it were dawn or dusk.

Check out some of the videos from Can Core on eclipses and astronomy to learn more about this fascinating phenomenon.