This post is made possible in part by my Patreon supporters, and for Rasmussen Travels for setting the trip up. Thank you.
For those who did not hear, or see, there was a total solar eclipse visible from North American soil on August 21st. It was the first solar eclipse total total solar eclipse visible in the Lower 48 since February 26, 1979, and the first total solar eclipse visible from one coast to the other since June 8, 1918. It will not be visible here again until April 8, 2024. For many American astronomers, and amateur astronomers, it was a spectacular event. It drew large crowds in those places where the total eclipse will be completely visible.
Such as Carbondale, IL. NASA, the Adler Planetarium, and SIU-C held a joint event to view the eclipse at the SIU campus. With my need to see new things, and my past as a physics student, I naturally had to see this event for myself.
My wife and I took the 4 hour trip south to see it. We were joined by one of my former IWU professors, and two of his students.
Leaving early in the morning so that we can find a place to park and stand, we arrived to find Carbondale crawling with people from all over the region to view the moon crossing the sun. Luckily we did not hit traffic too badly heading south. We parked, and hopped on the shuttle to campus.
Once we got there, Professor Perera set up his telescope and camera, and we waited for the main event. I handed out shaded glasses to everyone, and we were all able to look up at the sun and watch the moon pass over. It was a cool looking sight.
It was a clear, sunny day all day, despite concerns from the weatherman that it was going to be rainy and cloudy in the afternoon. However, once totality was nearing, the one cloud in the sky covered the sun and would not go away.
Totality lasted just under 2 minutes and 40 seconds. That cloud hovered for more than a minute into totality. Luckily, right as I was about to give up hope for being able to see it for myself, the cloud cleared, and totality was visible. Everybody cheered. It was stunning.
After it was over, we stayed to watch the moon completely clear the sun, then got dinner at a local Chile’s. My wife thought she was clever (yeah, it was clever).
Another 4 hour drive home, traffic being heavier than heading south, and we were home by midnight. It was a long and fulfilling day.
The total eclipse next year will be February 15, and would only be visible in southern South America. Who wants to come with?!
Or we can wait until 2024, and go back to Carbondale.