One of the most bizarre features of our solar system can actually be seen from the Earth. In fact, this phenomenon is so bizarre that the Earth is the only place it can be seen from. Our home planet is occasionally treated to the spectacle known as the full solar eclipse. This happens when the moon moves between the sun and the Earth, entirely blocking it from view. By an astounding coincidence, the sun happens to be 400 times wider than the moon, but also 400 times further away, making them appear the same size in the Earth's sky. Despite the fact that this happens at least twice a year on Earth, as far as we know, it is totally unique and doesn't occur anywhere else in the solar system, with its 181 moons, 173 of which orbit the "proper" planets. Is this merely pure coincidence? Probably, but it's still spectacular. Want to write for WhatCulture Science? Click here to find out how you could get paid to write about what you love.Hey, you. Yeah, you. You want some more science? Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for your next fix.
