umbraphile : One who loves eclipses, often travelling to see them.
You are probably hearing a lot about the August 12th solar eclipse. It’s path of totality will pass over the Arctic Ocean, Greenland, Iceland, Atlantic Ocean, Portugal, and northern Spain.
The National Solar Observatory has created a neat eclipse map that shows the path.
Here’s a trailer from NASA about this eclipse.
NASA (YouTube Channel)
NASA (Official Website)
If you don’t live in the path of totality, then you can still watch it online. NASA will livestream the eclipse starting at 1:15 p.m. EDT.
The Exploratorium in San Francisco will also livestream a telescope view of the eclipse from the path of totality in Villalibado, Spain.
Finally, the Harvard & Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics has a page where you can see what the eclipse will look like at any Location.
However, as I pointed out in my post Umbraphiles about the Solar eclipse of April 8, 2024, this event isn’t all that rare.
Here’s a story about just how “unrare” they are.
There is one group of people who know this well — they are the Umbraphiles, more commonly known as Eclipse Chasers. They are unique tribe, and their fascination with the celestial event tends to be described in terms outside the realm of science.
Here’s a link to the article about them that actually inspired the title of this post.
Chasing Totality: A Look Into the World of Umbraphiles (Andy Wright, Atlas Obscura)
Better yet, here’s a talk by David Baron that may have single-handedly helped to increase the ranks of Umbraphiles over the last few years.
David Baron’s Talk (TEDxMileHigh)
TEDxMileHigh – July 8, 2017 (YouTube Playlist)
TEDxMileHigh – July 8, 2017 (Official Website)
If you’re inclined to join the ranks of umbraphiles, here’s a handy list that includes when and where future total solar eclipses will occur.
List of Solar Eclipses in the 21st Century (Wikipedia)
If you would like to become an Armchair-Umbraphile, then head on over to YouTube — there are a ton of 360° Videos of Solar Eclipses to enjoy anytime and anywhere.
Here are even more links that might be of interest to Umbraphiles.
History of Eclipses (Objectivity, YouTube)
Eclipses (National Solar Observatory)
Solar Eclipse Resources (National Informal STEM Education Network)
Eclipses (Eric Weisstein’s World of Astronomy)
Eclipses (Wolfram Alpha)
Have a great week, and may your weather be great for viewing the eclipse if you are lucky enough to be in the path!
Find out more about the Sun, Moon, Stars and the Universe in general …