Marina Koren and Fred Espenak discuss the eclipse as a peculiar event and its impact. They share experiences of witnessing total eclipses and reflect on the awe-inspiring nature of celestial events. The podcast dives into the emotional and sensory allure of total eclipses, emphasizing the profound impact of totality. Reflective discussions on time, memories, and the mysteries of the universe add depth to the conversation.
Total eclipses evoke primal awe and spiritual encounters
Eclipse chasers prioritize experiential wonder over photography
Deep dives
Witnessing the Great American Eclipse
In August 2017, millions of people, including Marina Corrin, experienced the great American eclipse, where the moon passed in front of the sun, creating a brief period of totality from Oregon to South Carolina. The eclipse, a cosmic alignment of the Earth, Moon, and Sun, occurs approximately every 18 months, darkening the skies and revealing the sun's corona. The experience of totality evoked primal reactions and a sense of awe, akin to a spiritual encounter, leaving lasting impressions on observers.
Eclipse Chasers: Thrill and Admiration
Eclipse chasers like Fred Espinac are dedicated individuals who pursue totality by traveling to witness these celestial events. Their passion stems from the thrilling and adrenaline-inducing experience of totality, where each eclipse invokes a profound sense of wonder and insignificance. Eclipse chasers prioritize the experiential aspect over capturing the event through photography, emphasizing the multisensory nature of the eclipse and its impact on personal perspectives.
Eclipses as Markers of Time and Reflection
Eclipses serve as temporal markers in people's lives, bridging past and future experiences. The anticipation and reflection associated with upcoming eclipses, such as the 2024 and 2045 events, prompt introspection about personal growth and evolution over time. For individuals like Andy Rash and his son, witnessing eclipses together symbolizes the passage of time and the interconnectedness of shared experiences across generations.
Where were you for the 2017 total eclipse? Where will you be this year? And where will you be for the next one in 2045? Hanna talks to Atlantic staff writer Marina Koren about the eclipse as a peculiar event: a beautiful if not slightly unsettling moment that is also a strange marker of time.
And we hear from retired astrophysicist Fred Espenak who's seen more than 20 total eclipses in his life and wonders which eclipse might end up being his last.
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