On Monday, a total solar eclipse will occur in North America, starting in Mazatlán, Mexico, crossing over more than a dozen U.S. states, and ending in Newfoundland, Canada. Eclipse enthusiasts, known as umbraphiles, have been eagerly anticipating this event, booking hotel rooms and following weather reports for months. The author reflects on their childhood fear of eclipses and their more recent interest in experiencing the phenomenon.
Although the author didn’t pay much attention to eclipses until the “Great American Eclipse” of 2017, they are now intrigued by the upcoming event and want to be part of the excitement surrounding it. Talking to friends who are avid umbraphiles, the author learns about the transformative experience of witnessing a total solar eclipse, with darkness enveloping the surroundings and a sense of awe and humility overcoming observers. The rarity of a total solar eclipse, a natural event that doesn’t require any human intervention, adds to its appeal.
As the eclipse approaches, the author contemplates the significance of such a celestial event in a world dominated by human-made spectacles and distractions. They interview a friend who hopes to gain a deeper appreciation of the beauty and unpredictability of the natural world through the eclipse, highlighting the sublime and humbling experience of being reminded of our small place in the universe. The author considers reading Annie Dillard’s vivid description of the 1979 eclipse to capture a sense of the event’s surreal and transformative power.
In the midst of a news cycle filled with divisive and often distressing stories, the author sees the total solar eclipse as a rare opportunity to connect with something larger than themselves and to appreciate the wonder of the natural world. They reflect on the communal nature of human enthusiasms and the universal appeal of a celestial event that transcends politics, economics, and culture. The upcoming eclipse serves as a reminder of the beauty and mystery of the cosmos, offering a chance to pause and reflect on the grandeur of the universe.
As the total solar eclipse draws near, people across North America are preparing to witness this rare and awe-inspiring event. Eclipse enthusiasts, umbraphiles, are eagerly anticipating the moment when the moon obscures the sun, plunging the world into darkness and revealing the beauty and complexity of the cosmos. The author’s journey from childhood fear to adult curiosity mirrors the universal fascination with celestial events that remind us of our place in the vastness of the universe. In a world filled with human-made distractions, the total solar eclipse offers a chance to connect with something greater than ourselves and to marvel at the wonders of the natural world.
