I was lucky enough to see a total eclipse of the sun on the south coast of England in 1999. I went to a very high clifftop overlooking the English Channel in Devon. The place was crowded, but unfortunately it was rather cloudy. However, at the appointed time the clouds rolled back and we saw the whole unforgettable spectacle. It was utterly amazing; the crowds were whooping at first and then stunned into silence. The moon gradually covered the sun, the temperature dropped and the birds stopped singing. As it ended and the daylight returned, we could see the moon's shadow racing out to sea in the direction of France as the predominantly British crowd gave the whole spectacle a very polite, slightly restrained round of applause.
I've watched the playback and it was amazing!!! I wish I could have seen it live but I was in bed at the time.
I really want to see one in person one day. I've always round eclipses fascinating - it's not something you'll ever experience in any other way. The world going dark mid-day, the sudden chill, animals going quiet. It honestly doesn't sound like a huge deal when someone describes it, but when experiencing it it's just so...surreal and chilling.
Am grateful though for technology allowing me to watch it afterwards. So so cool.
The squirrely world today was also due to the coronal mass ejections being so very powerful too! It's why the ring was so bright around the obscuring moon this time. I followed along on NASA till it wnet off the coast on Maine USA. This one was a once in a lifetime event.
I will keep my window to this thread open on my end while it's going on. So nice to actually share it with you and others without the crowds and unpredictable social situations! Soon they will be starting the commentary.
