And so, in the swinging of an oil lamp, he discovered his important principle, the law of motion, which is applied today in the measurement of time, the eclipses of the sun and the movement of the stars.
In 1604, for example, his attempt to figure out the best way to observe an eclipse sent him down a rabbit hole that ended in discovering how light travels through the human eye.
When you say the word 'eclipse', most people think of a solar eclipse, when the moon blocks the light of the sun, but there's another astronomical event—a lunar eclipse—that is also fascinating to study.
Those lucky enough to view one in person should only look at the solar eclipse through specialized viewing glasses in order to avoid permanent eye damage.