What’s it like to be in the path of totality during those awe-inspiring moments of darkness? Kate Russo explains.
Talk to people who’ve witnessed a total solar eclipse, and you’ll notice their eyes light up. They become increasingly animated and overuse words like “awesome” and “life-changing.” The intensity of their passion is evident — yet surely it can’t be that exciting, can it?
Before my first total solar eclipse in 1999, I’d never met anyone who had seen “totality.” From what I’d read, it was certainly going to be special and interesting. But I had no inkling that it would be such an overwhelming, emotional rollercoaster.
I have now witnessed 13 total solar eclipses from six continents. I continue to research the eclipse experience, helping to communicate the intensity and emotional complexity of this spine-tingling experience. I also guide communities within the path of totality in their preparations with my evidence-based "white papers" and resources and am actively involved with national eclipse-planning endeavors.
What to Expect: Above, Around, Within
Most people have seen the Moon partly (not fully) cover the Sun, an event called a partial solar eclipse. Seeing the Moon’s silhouette marching across our star (with safe filters, of course) is a wonderful demonstration of fortuitous celestial alignments.
But for the full experience, you must be within the narrow path of totality for a total solar eclipse. As the eclipse progresses and more of the Sun is covered, the environment changes. You notice the dimming and special quality of the light around you, the fading colors, and the drop in temperature. Nature quiets, and you too become hushed as the Moon’s shadow sweeps eerily toward you.
The ominous darkening in the sky can be seen and felt. Many have an intense physical reaction at this moment. The hair on the back of your neck rises, and goosebumps cover your arms. Excitement fills you, tinged with mild terror, as the world rapidly becomes engulfed in an unknown darkness. Those final, quick moments before totality are incredibly powerful. The dwindling arc of light reduces until there are only tiny beads of it shining through the valleys of the Moon — creating an effect called “Baily’s Beads.” The brilliant “diamond ring” — a last gleam of sunlight seen against the lunar silhouette — heralds the start of totality. This sight is so otherworldly that you think it’s a special effect from some science-fiction movie. You find yourself screaming excitedly, not knowing what you’re saying.
And then you are plunged into darkness. You are standing in the shadow of the Moon. Totality.
A black hole appears in the sky where the Sun should be, like a celestial eye gazing back at you. The world around you is now in deep twilight — dark enough to show planets and the brightest stars, with glorious sunset colors all around the horizon. As your eyes adapt to this surreal darkness, the Sun’s outer atmosphere becomes visible. Silvery, wispy, and ethereal, it seductively surrounds the eclipsed Sun. Crimson-hued prominences sometimes also leap from the edge.
The world suspends in time, as you are lost in your own little rapture. You feel an immediate connection to our primitive ancestors, who would have been terrified by all this, possibly believing the end of the world was imminent. A little part of you also wonders if the Sun will ever return. You recognize that we humans are but a small part of the vastness of our universe. It’s a strangely comforting and empowering insight, like you’ve finally figured out what life is all about.
The diamond ring again dazzles, and more brilliant beads of light mark the beginning of the end, before daylight’s full brightness returns. Totality might be over, but the experience has been seared into your brain, heart, and soul — a new, vivid memory that you’ll hold dear forever.
Not Just “Once in a Lifetime”
Those who witness a total eclipse are connected in a way no words can express — nor are they needed. No other event in my life has had such a positive and powerful impact, igniting a passion that will burn forever. Every total solar eclipse is unique and special, like a new chapter in my life, and I will continue to chase and support planning efforts for the rest of my days.
A total solar eclipse is so much more than you can ever imagine and is worthy of the hype. Totality is the dramatic moments of awe, beauty, and wonder we experience within the Moon’s shadow. Totality happens above you, around you, and within you. You owe it to yourself to join us eclipse-chasers in the path of totality at some point and share this life-changing experience — by being in the shadow.
Dr. Kate Russo, founder of Being in the Shadow, is an eclipse consultant and keynote speaker based in Australia and was a key member of the AAS Solar Eclipse Task Force.