The mystery of other-worldly darkness
© Adrian Hillman/iStock

Travel Inspiration: In Search of Totality

If you’re lucky, they say you may experience it once (maybe twice) in your lifetime. (Let your imagination run wild as to what we’re talking about.)

They also say it is awe-inspiring and life-changing. (Now you can really let your mind reach for the stars.)

And it has certainly been a theme of conversation and travel inspiration for many people for many months.

Final hint: Today is the day.

What is it?

A total solar eclipse. The Great American solar eclipse of 2017, to be exact—an event that reaches across North America, casting pieces and parts of 14 states into the other-worldly daytime darkness of totality.

A life-changing experience
© kdshutterman/iStock

Eclipse Mania

The solar eclipse of August 21, 2017 is bringing fame (and fortune) to every part of the path of totality, as well as the path of the partial eclipse—a path that includes three countries, five state capitals, two major national parks (Grand Teton and Great Smokey Mountains), oceans, beaches, rivers, forests, towns, cities, and farmland.

The path of totality
Image courtesy of NASA

The “Oh, I see moments” of this celestial occurrence will open the doors of scientific exploration and provide awe-inspiring views. No wonder there is eclipse madness in the air.

Most hotels have been sold out for a year or more. Air B&B’s . . . forget about it. Your friend’s yard in Oregon or Idaho? Already transformed into a campground.

Idaho Falls, Idaho—The luck of totality
© DMT

Towns you’ve never heard of are launching marketing campaigns because they have the good luck to be in the path of totality. Carbondale, Illinois, has the honor of having the longest duration of totality (2 minutes and 39 seconds). “Come and see Carbondale! Especially in the dark of totality.”

A special edition solar eclipse stamp set, where the sun turns into the moon
in response to heat and light
© Meredith Mullins

There are special cruises and air flights to provide the perfect position for eclipse chasers. Who wouldn’t want to rent a six-seater jet for $9000 in pursuit of totality or fly by helicopter to a remote ranch for a champagne totality brunch?

There are newly appointed eclipse coordinators in each town of totality. There are eclipse burgers, eclipse breakfasts, and cocktails to eclipse you (such as the “Blackout” and the “Sun King”).

A solar eclipse breakfast. Note: the moon (pancake), which is crossing the sun (egg),
is not quite to scale.
© Meredith Mullins/Breakfast concept © Tom Taggart

There are dating sites where people are looking for totality hook ups. There are eclipse apps, live streaming sites, and galleries to share photographs.

A whole new genre of T-Shirts
© DMT

There are eclipse playlists that include the best heavenly hits—“Here Comes the Sun,” “Let the Sunshine In,” “Blinded by the Light,” “Moon Shadow,” and, of course, “Total Eclipse of the Heart.”

Eclipse addicts everywhere will be a part of the solabration. It’s too bad it doesn’t last longer.

The Science of Solar Eclipses

Solar eclipses are actually not that rare. In the world of orbiting planets, moons, and stars, solar eclipses (a combination of total, partial, and annular) happen two to four times a year, just not in the same locations on the planet and not always visible because of weather conditions.

The moon passes between the earth and the sun, blocking the sun.
© Sdecoret/iStock

Eclipses occur when the moon passes between the sun and the earth and blocks the sun. The total eclipse occurs because the sun and the moon are the same angular size. Even though the sun is 400 times larger, it is also 400 times farther away, so it appears the same size in our sky.

The phases of the total solar eclipse
© Pialhovik/iStock

The process of the moon devouring the sun takes time. Eclipse fans watch, as the moon begins its apparent journey over the sun’s surface, and prepare for the few precious moments of totality. The world darkens. Temperatures drop. Animals believe night has come oddly early.

It is only when the sun is completely covered that it is safe to look directly at the sun without eclipse glasses. The corona appears in all its glory; and, if the eclipse gods are smiling, other dances of the sun appear, such as the “diamond ring” or “Baily’s beads.”

The sun’s corona is dominant during totality.
© Digital Vision

Totality

The geographic band of totality is narrow (about 70 miles wide for this eclipse), but for people who have seen a partial eclipse and a total eclipse, totality is the only way to go.

Some eclipse chasers admit they don’t even get out of bed for a “partial.”

As one observer said of totality, “The difference between being off the line of totality and on it is like the difference between seeing a lightning bug and lightning,”

That’s why people are madly seeking totality.

The unimaginable beauty of a solar eclipse
© lgOrZh/iStock

On August 21, the sun will rise in the north Pacific as a total eclipse, a truly awesome sight.

It will have its first touchdown on land near Newport, Oregon and then will move across the U.S. to Charleston, South Carolina—a poetic path, from sea to shining sea.

Millions of people will be looking skyward (and hoping for cloudless skies).

If you miss this one, the next total eclipse will be July 2, 2019 in Chile, Argentina, and the South Pacific. Then again on April 8, 2024 in the U.S., tracking northeast from Texas to Maine (and hitting lucky Carbondale, Illinois for the second time in seven years).

See it all with special approved eclipse glasses.
© Meredith Mullins

Just remember a few basic rules for eclipse travel inspiration. Don’t get too wild at the Blackout Bash before the event. Use approved eclipse glasses for all direct viewing (except during totality). And don’t wear eclipse glasses or take photos while driving (yes, that’s actually mentioned in someone’s safety guide).

See you in the shadows . . . totally.

For more information, visit NASA livestream and CNN livestream.

Comment on this post below, or inspire insight with your own OIC Moment here. If you have an interesting eclipse story, please share it with us.