What it’s like to watch a Total Solar Eclipse

The total solar eclipse from Madras, Oregon on August 21, 2017. As the moon passed in front of the sun turning day to night and revealing the sun's corona, apparently all I could think to say was 'Oh my goodness!'

This awe-inspiring phenomenon returned to the US on April 8, 2024, when total solar eclipse crossed North America, passing over Mexico, the United States, and Canada.

Everyone says not to photograph your first solar eclipse and I think they might be right. I was focused on getting the exposure right for Bailey's beads and the diamond ring, plus making sure to get the corona and solar flares. This was a bit stressful but I'm delighted with the results.

This video originally included more info but since I'm uploading from Madras where the internet is sluggish, I cut out three minutes so the upload would happen before I had to leave for my flight.

Special thanks also to Dr. Teagan Wall for sharing this experience with me and Raquel Nuno for inspiring me to come to Oregon.

[TheKingofRandom]

Beautiful experience, thanks for sharing

[annoyingmint]

everybody gangsta till the moon don't start moving again

This video convinced me to go see this with my kid in 2024 who was 18 months at the time he's now 8 and was amazed as I was today in Mont Mégantic with 2500 people who experience a perfect weather dead center full solar eclipse.
Couldn't ask anything better!
Thanks Derek

[will.a.benjamin]

I saw this in southern Illinois...it was super hot and humid that day. The coolest and eeriest thing was the sudden and refreshing drop in temperature and how nature reacted. As soon as totality started, the cicadas starting singing and the birds went silent.

[piemon]

2019: "omy god it's so beautiful"

Ancient time: "Sacrifice we need a sacrifice to bring the sun

[GOODSTR]

My Dad, myself, and two of my closest friends went to Sparta Tennessee to watch this eclipse. I synced pink floyd dark side of the moon to the time of totality (dad's favorite album). It has come to be the absolute favorite memory of my life. In July of 2018 my father was diagnosed with terminal cancer and passed away April 2nd 2020. Until his last day he thanked me for convincing him to come with me to experience this once in a lifetime event. I will never forget this special day. Love ya dad and I'll see you on the dark side of the moon!

[carlosburroughs]

Getting ready for the 2024 one… who else came here to do the same??? 😮😮

[winnie]

I saw it today. I have seen partial solar eclipses, but never in totality until today. It was absolutely amazing, I did not expect it to be as moving as it was. I think you can’t really grasp how it makes people feel unless you see it for yourself.

[skynet]

moon: jeez, those humans are so easy to impress.

[PickledShark]

I was not far away at the Eclipse Festival. It’s impossible to describe the sensation of the moment of totality. 50, 000 people howling like animals, the air getting cold, the stars coming out. It’s the only time in my life I could really feel the immensity of the moon and the sun. I don’t quite know how else to say it, except that it was by far the most incredible thing I’ve ever seen.

[afridgetoofar]

Just saw one today in Northern Ohio, and it was even better in person than i expected. Really one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen.

[markvolstad]

I still get chill bumps when I recall the 2017 eclipse. As great as this video is, no video can come remotely close to recreating the experience of actually witnessing a total eclipse in person.

[RamiShreds]

Who else is jealous that they didn't get to see it?

[slenderbunny]

You cannot fully appreciate an eclipse unless you have seen it in person...

[shannoncoulter]

Omg I literally CRIED watching this...I live where the April eclipse will be in totality and I'm so excited to see one in person..thank you for sharing

[usamazaheer]

3:25 Someone in the background, "I love Corona"
Earth: "Corona time it is then."

[MayorBrownn]

Imagine humans thousands of years ago freaking out because the sun was black

[prstechnic]

I saw my first totality today and I gotta say... I was pretty damn speechless too. It's almost impossible to describe what it actually looks like without seeing one yourself.

[Doors]

Moon: is everyone having fun at the solar eclipse? Crowd:

[a_Chinese]

They call it the day of black sun... the darkest day in fire nation history