The Great Solar Eclipse of 2024 is coming up on April 8, and part of Oklahoma will be in its path of totality.As we prepare for the eclipse, KOCO 5 Meteorologist Jonathan Conder explains the science behind eclipses and how they happen.What causes an eclipse?Simply, a solar eclipse is a shadow the moon or another astronomical object casts onto the Earth when it's between us and the sun.To get a better idea of what causes an eclipse, you can conduct a simple experiment at home.First, find a light in your home. Now, imagine that the light is the sun, your hand is the moon, and you are the Earth. Move your hand slowly in front of the light, and you have created an eclipse on yourself.Different kinds of eclipsesWhen the moon is a little bit farther away from the Earth, the complete shadow closes and creates an annular eclipse – which happened in October. When we have an eclipse, and the moon is closer to the Earth, we get a concentrated cone of a complete shadow.But what's the difference between the two?During an annular eclipse, you can see the edges of the sun, but it remains somewhat visible. A partial eclipse only blocks part of the sun. The moon 100% covers up the sun during a total eclipse, creating twilight during the day. It won't look orange or kind of white, and it'll turn dark outside. The sun is setting, but instead of setting on the edge of the Earth, you'll get that twilight effect because of the moon.How rare are these events?Earth sees partial solar eclipses twice per year and total eclipses once every two years. This upcoming solar eclipse, however, is even more rare as one like it won't be seen in Oklahoma until August of 2045.