Scientists across New York State are planning to recreate an experiment from 1919 that proves Einstein’s theory of relativity.

The Eddington Experiment allowed scientists to see stars that should be hidden behind the sun during a solar eclipse.

Dr. Charles Martin is a senior lecturer at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

He says, unfortunately, he won’t be taking part in the Eddington experiment re-do, but explains how it works. He says because the theory of relativity says mass warps space time, the light beaming from distance stars is warped as it arrives to our sun. This allows scientists to see them in a solar eclipse.

“If the sun is in front of them, I should not be able to see them,” Martin said. “But lo and behold, we could see stars that should be blocked by the sun.”

Martin says he’s been teaching astronomy for 15 years and has yet to see a total solar eclipse. He enjoyed the partial solar eclipse in 2017. But this time, he plans to head to western New York to be in the path of totality.

“The only class I have on Mondays is my astronomy class, which is from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. — which is the time of the eclipse,” Martin said. “So at the beginning of the semester, the first day of class, I said ‘Okay, here’s the deal: no class that day. Go to the eclipse.'”