Mike Shanahan, Planetarium Director at Liberty Science Center, talks more about the big day for space. Mike Shanahan, Planetarium Director at Liberty Science Center, talks more about the big day for space. If you're lucky enough to live in the right place, you could potentially witness three significant cosmic spectacles: a parade of planets, a total solar eclipse and the best meteor shower of the year. What is a solar eclipse? A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes directly between the Earth and the sun, casting its shadow on Earth's surface.