Explore every episode of the podcast Totality Talks - The Solar Eclipse Podcast

Welcome back to Totality Talks!

In this episode, we chat with the authors of the new book The Eclipse Effect:  How to seize extraordinary moments to build strong communities.

We welcome back, from the UK Jamie Carter. He is the foremost solar eclipse journalist - regular contributor to Forbes.com,  space.com and editor of whenisthenexteclipse.com

He co-authors the book with Debra Ross… from Rochester, NY, she is publisher and CEO of KidsOutAndAbout.com .  She has also served as co-chair of the American Astronomical Society’s Solar Eclipse Task Force. Debra is an entrepreneur, and advocate for community engagement, independent learning, and curiosity-driven exploration.

We now have our podcast in video format and are working to get our show distributed across YouTube, Spotify, and Rumble.

https://share.descript.com/view/miN9djSdHVw

Leticia Ferrer's site: 

https://texassolareclipses.com/

Host Chris Chotas Alexander's Site
https://www.chotachrome.com/
IG: @chotachrome

Totality Talks is created by Leticia Ferrer and Chris Chotas Alexander.  

Totality Talks is produced by Chris Chotas Alexander.  

In this episode we chat with FB Eclipse Travel and Discussion group founder and eclipse chasing traveler, Janine Frances from Pennsylvania.

We chat about eclipses past and the annular eclipse over Easter Island in October of 2024... and of course, we chat about the coming total solar eclipses. 

My audio file was corrupted for the last 3rd of the episode... I do believe the context works out after some creative editing. Regards, Chris

Total Eclipses of the Sun by Mabel Loomis Todd (1894):

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1165151987/ref=ox_sc_act_image_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

Leticia Ferrer's site: 

https://texassolareclipses.com/

Host Chris Chotas Alexander's Site
https://www.chotachrome.com/
IG: @chotachrome

Totality Talks is created by Leticia Ferrer and Chris Chotas Alexander.  

Totality Talks is produced by Chris Chotas Alexander.  

In this episode, we chat with creator of the essential solar eclipse timer app and author of the book Ecilpse Day 2024 And More.  Expert eclipse enthusiast, eclipse photographer, and plastic surgeon…  Dr. Gordon “Telepun”.  Great info in this episode regarding Eclipse day 2024!

Solar Eclipse Timer app:
https://www.solareclipsetimer.com/

Eclipse Day 2024 And More Book:
https://389141.e-junkie.com/product/1749412

https://books.google.com/books?id=YCBnEAAAQBAJ&printsec=copyright#v=onepage&q&f=false

Brief synopsis of the book:
https://astronomytechnologytoday.com/2022/04/18/eclipse-day-2024-and-more/

Sky-Watcher USA Webcast:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7lMTJIfk4w

Sharp and Fuzzy Shadows Experiment:
https://www.solareclipsetimer.com/docs/SharpandFuzzyShadowArticle.pdf

Going To The Sun intro music by The Harmony Theory:
https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-harmony-theory/392843088

Background music by Nigel Stanford:
https://music.apple.com/us/artist/nigel-stanford/983632899

Leticia Ferrer's site: 

https://texassolareclipses.com/

Host Chris Chotas Alexander's Site
https://www.chotachrome.com/
IG: @chotachrome

Totality Talks is created by Leticia Ferrer and Chris Chotas Alexander.  

Totality Talks is produced by Chris Chotas Alexander.  

In this episode we chat remotely with the world's only true eclipse journalist, Jamie Carter.  He is based in the UK and writes articles daily that appear in Forbes.com, Space.com, Sky&Telescope, and more. He is also the creator of the website When Is The Next Eclipse https://whenisthenexteclipse.com/.   We take a trip around the globe and chat about his experiences, writings, and favorite resources regarding total solar eclipses.  Of course, we chat about the coming total solar eclipse of April 8, 2024.

He provides several incredibly helpful resources listed below!:

Jay Anderson's climatology and weather for celestial events:
https://eclipsophile.com/

Time and Date site:
https://www.timeanddate.com/

Dedicated site for the 2024 eclipse:
https://eclipse2024.org

The Eclipse Company:
https://theeclipse.company

Map of Nope Article at Forbes.com:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamiecartereurope/2024/03/19/why-every-american-needs-to-see-the-map-of-nope-meme-before-april-8s-total-solar-eclipse/?sh=b3a74b457252

Festival Guides and Reviews:
https://festivalguidesandreviews.com

Great resource at National Eclipse:
https://nationaleclipse.com

Link to the post with the picture of us with our “Eclipse Globe”: https://texassolareclipses.com/our-interview-with-jamie-carter/

Link to video of the group that played during totality on the Faroe Islands in 2015... now that's what we call a "lucky hole!":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=feR12pQ8dXc

Leticia Ferrer's site: 

https://texassolareclipses.com/

Host Chris Chotas Alexander's Site
https://www.chotachrome.com/
IG: @chotachrome

Totality Talks is created by Leticia Ferrer and Chris Chotas Alexander.  

Totality Talks is produced by Chris Chotas Alexander.  

In this episode we chat with science writer, author,  and eclipse evangelist David Baron. 

We have a fascinating conversation about the total solar eclipse experience, world travels, and the total solar eclipse of 1878 across America.

Link to David’s must see TedX talk:
https://youtu.be/cgxZ4H3gJ8c?si=VXYegDHFT9DJcit7

Link to David’s book American Eclipse: A Nation's Epic Race to Catch the Shadow of the Moon and Win the Glory of the World
https://amzn.to/3OSuKlL

Songs from the coming American Eclipse musical to debut at Baylor:
https://wacotrib.com/news/local/history/songs-from-eclipse-themed-musical-to-debut-at-baylor-ahead-of-april-8-total-eclipse/article_4eaef400-a0e1-11ee-af29-c7eda4d7d63e.html

Clear Skies!

Leticia Ferrer's site: 

https://texassolareclipses.com/

Host Chris Chotas Alexander's Site
https://www.chotachrome.com/
IG: @chotachrome

Totality Talks is created by Leticia Ferrer and Chris Chotas Alexander.  

Totality Talks is produced by Chris Chotas Alexander.  

In part 2 of our fascinating conversation with Dr. Kate Russo, we continue on about the ineffable.  We also chat about community planning and eclipse chasing in general.   

Kate is a native of Queensland, Australia and has authored pioneering books on the psychology of total solar eclipses including Total Addiction and Being In The Shadow.

Dr. Kate Russo - Being In The Shadow
https://beingintheshadow.com/

Amazon link to her books:
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Kate-Russo/author/B00871EJ6K?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true#:~:text=Dr%20Kate%20Russo%20is%20an,a%20period%20of%2017%20years.

How Chasing Eclipses Opened Me Up To The Awe Of Living
https://aeon.co/ideas/how-chasing-solar-eclipses-opened-me-up-to-the-awe-of-living

American Paperwear
https://ampaperwear.com/

Leticia Ferrer's site: 

https://texassolareclipses.com/

Host Chris Chotas Alexander's Site
https://www.chotachrome.com/
IG: @chotachrome

Totality Talks is created by Leticia Ferrer and Chris Chotas Alexander.  

Totality Talks is produced by Chris Chotas Alexander.  

In this episode, we get to chat with clinical psychologist, eclipse chaser, and community planner extraordinaire, Dr. Kate Russo. She is a native of Queensland, Australia and has authored pioneering books on the psychology of total solar eclipses including Total Addiction and Being In The Shadow.

Our conversation will be split into 2 episodes as we dive into the "ineffable" wonder of totality.  How do you describe an experience for which there are no words?  Dr. Kate shares her approach to researching this very concept.  

Dr. Kate Russo - Being In The Shadow
https://beingintheshadow.com/

Amazon link to her books:
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Kate-Russo/author/B00871EJ6K?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true#:~:text=Dr%20Kate%20Russo%20is%20an,a%20period%20of%2017%20years.

Fred Espenak Fan Fest!:
https://astropixels.com/main/espenak.html

American Paperwear
https://ampaperwear.com/

Leticia Ferrer's site: 

https://texassolareclipses.com/

Host Chris Chotas Alexander's Site
https://www.chotachrome.com/
IG: @chotachrome

Totality Talks is created by Leticia Ferrer and Chris Chotas Alexander.  

Totality Talks is produced by Chris Chotas Alexander.  

This episode we catch up with a new friend we met in Exmouth, Western Australia just after the total solar eclipse of 2023.  Allan Aldworth is a co-host of then morning radio show Hit Breakfast (WA) and observed his first TSE this last April.  He joins us remotely and shares his experiences with us today as we chat about eclipse day, Perth, and the little town of Exmouth. Our talk also covers:

- The first time experience
- Exmouth's community preparations
- Planning for the next 4 Australian Eclipses 

As mentioned in this episode the other upcoming Total Solar Eclipses in Australia are:

• July 22, 2028
• November 25, 2030
• July 13, 2037
• December 26, 2038

Path of 4/20/23!:
https://whenisthenexteclipse.com/four-years-today-there-will-a-spectacular-solar-eclipse-in-western-australia/

Once again, we kindly ask that you excuse our mess.  We had some mic issues with Leticia's rig and her audio is distorted in segment 2 between 11:00 and 24:00. We got it fixed for the last segment, so it's a victory!  This is still a first-timer podcast construction zone. Regards. Clear Skies!

Hit Breakfast with Allan and Carly
https://www.hit.com.au/shows/allan-and-carly

Hit Breakfast Bonus Podcast:  Why People Plan Their Lives Around Eclipses
https://omny.fm/shows/hit-wa-breakfast/bonus-podcast-why-people-plan-their-lives-around-e

Links to Allan & Carly on the LiSTNR app:
https://omny.fm/shows/hit-wa-breakfast/playlists/allan-michelle-listnr

IG: @hitfmwa @allanaldworth

Leticia Ferrer's site: 

https://texassolareclipses.com/

Host Chris Chotas Alexander's Site
https://www.chotachrome.com/
IG: @chotachrome

Totality Talks is created by Leticia Ferrer and Chris Chotas Alexander.  

Totality Talks is produced by Chris Chotas Alexander.  

This episode we have the honor of chatting with retired NASA Goddard Space Flight Center astrophysicist Fred Espenak. Known as “Mr. Eclipse”, Fred has authored over 20 books related to eclipse prediction, eclipse observation, and eclipse photography.  He has traveled to all 7 continents to observe total eclipses of the Sun and witnessed 30 total solar eclipses, 11 annular solar eclipses and 9 partial solar eclipses.  He's spent almost an hour and half inside the umbral shadow.  Today, we chat (remotely) and listen to Fred’s tales from the road en route to chasing totality. We talk about his first eclipse experience and explore his path of authoring canons, guides, and manuals for eclipse observation. 

Fred Espenak's Eclipsewise: 
https://www.eclipsewise.com/

David Baron's Ted Talk (You owe it to yourself to experience a total solar eclipse):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgxZ4H3gJ8c

The book Totality: The Great North American Eclipse of 2024 2nd Edition by Mark Littmann and Fred Espenak:  https://amzn.to/417qnbD

In this episode we discuss Fred Espenak and Jean Meeus, "Bible of Solar Eclipses"
Five Millennium Canon of Solar Eclipses: Volume 1: -1999 to 0 by Fred Espenak and Jean Meeus:  https://amzn.to/3uVm9HN

Five Millennium Canon of Solar Eclipses: Volume 2: 1 to 3000 Fred Espenak and Jean Meeus:  -https://amzn.to/46LWkas

As mentioned in the episode, the April 08 2024 Total Solar Eclipse will be Fred's 4th eclipse of Saros 139.  His first eclipse was March 7, 1970 of the same Saros.  For more on Saros, read Fred's article in Sky and Telescope:
Fred Espenak, November 20, 2023, How Did The Ancients Predict Eclipses?  The SAROS Cycle:  https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/how-did-the-ancients-predicted-eclipses-the-saros-cycle/

Or check out Fred Espenak's Eclipsewise Saros Page: https://www.eclipsewise.com/solar/SEhelp/SEsaros.html

Also, check out Fred Espenak's Author Page on Amazon: https://amzn.to/41eXsT4

Sponsor - American Paper Wear Solar Eclipse Glasses
https://ampaperwear.com/

“Solar Echoes” and “Automatica” music created by Nigel Stanford. 

Leticia Ferrer's site: 

https://texassolareclipses.com/

Host Chris Chotas Alexander's Site
https://www.chotachrome.com/
IG: @chotachrome

Totality Talks is created by Leticia Ferrer and Chris Chotas Alexander.  

Totality Talks is produced by Chris Chotas Alexander.  

The first episode of Totality Talks!  We introduce ourselves and get acquainted with the podcast concept.  We also begin to guide listeners into the path and discuss the true awe of totality. We are working on our microphone issues and ask for your understanding and patience.  

There are a few small content errors in this podcast... that's why we will be interviewing experts!  We will also be utilizing the “wrong” buzzer when warranted.  Clear skies!

What creates a total solar eclipse? TED-ED
https://youtu.be/Qog18tiNnqg?si=THSMOmmwiF51c7i8

How solar and lunar eclipses work
https://youtu.be/oNH3akWXaV8?si=hhblWbd1hCkZWQSJ

Sponsor - American Paper Wear Solar Eclipse Glasses
https://ampaperwear.com/

Solar Eclipses Interactive Google Map courtesy of Xavier M Jubier
http://xjubier.free.fr/en/site_pages/solar_eclipses/TSE_2024_GoogleMapFull.html

Dr. Gordon Telepun’s Solar Eclipse Timer
https://www.solareclipsetimer.com/

NEW Prediction of Solar Maximum (Space.com)
https://www.space.com/solar-maximum-expected-2024-new-predictions-suggest

Weather prospects for 2024 and many future solar eclipses can be found at Jay Anderson's site: https://eclipsophile.com/2024tse/

“Solar Echoes” and “Automatica” music created by Nigel Stanford. 

Leticia Ferrer's site: 

https://texassolareclipses.com/

Host Chris Chotas Alexander's Site
https://www.chotachrome.com/
IG: @chotachrome

Totality Talks is created by Leticia Ferrer and Chris Chotas Alexander.  

Totality Talks is produced by Chris Chotas Alexander.  

Welcome back to Totality Talks… it has been exactly one year since the Great American Eclipse of April 8, 2024. We are officially off of our hiatus! Only 491 days to go until the next total solar eclipse. In this episode we are doing our first fan interview. Ken and Megan Keifer from Mooresville, Indiana reached out to us  last summer after Ken saw his 2nd and Megan saw her 1st!  Recently, Ken’s waterfall photography was featured on US postage stamps. They share their stories with us and we share ours with them.  

Find Ken's work here:

https://kennethkeifer.smugmug.com/

Leticia Ferrer's site: 

https://texassolareclipses.com/

Host Chris Chotas Alexander's Site
https://www.chotachrome.com/
IG: @chotachrome

Totality Talks is created by Leticia Ferrer and Chris Chotas Alexander.  

Totality Talks is produced by Chris Chotas Alexander.  

Welcome back from our post eclipse hiatus!  In this episode we chat with British Astronomical Association's Mike Frost.... he shares  book, Eclipse and Revelation: Total Solar Eclipses In Science, History, Literature, and the Arts. We chat about eclipses past and future total solar eclipses. He also shares stories that include such shenanigans as breaking into a cemetery with Jay Passachoff to see the grave of Sir Edmond Halley.


Meet Mike Frost:
https://britastro.org/section_information_/historical-section-overview/meet-the-section-director

Get the book!:
https://www.amazon.com/Eclipse-Revelation-Eclipses-Science-Literature/dp/0192857991

Astro Trails UK:
https://www.astro-trails.com/

Leticia Ferrer's site: 

https://texassolareclipses.com/

Host Chris Chotas Alexander's Site
https://www.chotachrome.com/
IG: @chotachrome

Totality Talks is created by Leticia Ferrer and Chris Chotas Alexander.  

Totality Talks is produced by Chris Chotas Alexander.  

Welcome back to Totality Talks!   In this episode, we continue to bask in the afterglow of the 2024 total eclipse.  We have an interesting virgin no more this time around as we chat with an astrophysicist that saw her first total solar eclipse on April 8.  We have physics and astronomy professor from Dallas College Richland Campus - Dr. Heather Appleby. 

Dallas College Richland Campus:
https://www.dallascollege.edu/about/rlc/pages/default.aspx

Heather's LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-appleby-940a082a

Leticia Ferrer's site: 

https://texassolareclipses.com/

Host Chris Chotas Alexander's Site
https://www.chotachrome.com/
IG: @chotachrome

Totality Talks is created by Leticia Ferrer and Chris Chotas Alexander.  

Totality Talks is produced by Chris Chotas Alexander.  

YES!  So, did you see it? Sounds like lucky holes were found …almost everywhere!  Apologies for the delay.... eclipse elation and subsequent eclipse blues are real. We’ve been truckin along to April 8  and hope YOU got to see the total eclipse of the Sun! In this episode, we chat with 2 eclipse virgins no more: producers of the first total solar eclipse musical (based on David Baron’s book American Eclipse), Janet Brenner and Laura Ivey. They observed their first total solar eclipse and share their experiences with us.  Leticia and I also share a little bit about our eclipse day 2024. 

Also in this episode, we share some love from inside the shadow of the Moon.  We'll spend part of our session with veteran eclipse chaser, Letica’s husband, Daniel Brookshier.  Daniel tells us a bit about their encounter inside the umbra of the April 08, 2024 eclipse, marking HIS eighth rendezvous with totality. We nerd out about image and video capturing as we exchange notes on totality 2024.

Astronomy Without Borders:
https://astronomerswithoutborders.org/programs/solar-glasses-distribution
 

Instagram - American Eclipse Musical:
https://www.instagram.com/americaneclipsemusical/

Link to Daniel's Eclipse video:
https://www.facebook.com/TexasEclipses/posts/pfbid02CDab8hfwhtpN7ffJQ4fvz1JDseBqM6UcwkKeX6gpAGYE1tgHF6NezRhjKns94UVul

 
Solar Wind Sherpas:
https://project.ifa.hawaii.edu/solarwindsherpas/

Capture Eclipse:
https://almadenobservatory.net/CaptureEclipse/

Leticia Ferrer's site: 

https://texassolareclipses.com/

Host Chris Chotas Alexander's Site
https://www.chotachrome.com/
IG: @chotachrome

Totality Talks is created by Leticia Ferrer and Chris Chotas Alexander.  

Totality Talks is produced by Chris Chotas Alexander.  

Eclipse chasers from around the world are arriving in the path of totality!  In this BONUS episode, we chat about last minute eclipse prep and have a couple of surprise eclipse chaser guests joining us in the fun. we chat with 2 of The Shady Ladies, Sally Kilburn and Dr. Khati Hendry, observers of 14 total solar eclipses.  They just arrived from British Columbia to observe the event.  They join us from Leticia's House in Dallas.
 
 
 Eclipse Day 2024 Checklist:
 https://www.solareclipsetimer.com/docs/eclipsedaychecklist.pdf

Leticia Ferrer's site: 

https://texassolareclipses.com/

Host Chris Chotas Alexander's Site
https://www.chotachrome.com/
IG: @chotachrome

Totality Talks is created by Leticia Ferrer and Chris Chotas Alexander.  

Totality Talks is produced by Chris Chotas Alexander.  

In this episode, we switch gears and talk about eclipse poster art!  Commissioned by the national parks service to create "See America" posters and promote the dark skies of our national parks, we have the eclipse event poster art master, Tyler Nordgren. He is a former astronomy professor, dark sky ambassador, and artist  that gave up his teaching career for art!  Hope you enjoy or chat with Tyler. 

Link to the Space Art Travel Bureau:
https://www.tylernordgren.com/

International Dark Sky Association:
https://darksky.org/

Betchart Expeditions:
https://betchartexpeditions.com/

Oceanwide Expeditions:
https://oceanwide-expeditions.com/

Leticia Ferrer's site: 

https://texassolareclipses.com/

Host Chris Chotas Alexander's Site
https://www.chotachrome.com/
IG: @chotachrome

Totality Talks is created by Leticia Ferrer and Chris Chotas Alexander.  

Totality Talks is produced by Chris Chotas Alexander.  

This episode we chat with the premier eclipse climate and weather expert, Jay Anderson.  He is the ultimate  ‘clear skies guy’ as creator of eclipseophile.com, which is THE standard for eclipse trip planning.  He has observed 34 solar eclipses including 24 total solar eclipses. Jay joins us remotely from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

At 10 days out from totality in 2024, we hear about his journey and listen to wise guidance as we transition from climate projections to weather models for the upcoming event.

“Dream, travel, explore… you only go around once.” -Jay Anderson

Link to Eclipsophile climatology and weather links:
https://eclipsophile.com/
Quick link to eclipse-day planning:
https://eclipsophile.com/eclipse-day-weather/

Jay's recent Sky & Telescope article:
https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/what-will-the-weather-be-on-the-day-of-the-total-solar-eclipse

Jay's "Q&A With An Expert" with Space.com:
https://www.space.com/total-solar-eclipse-weather-prospects-how-experts-make-predictions-q-and-a

The Eclipse Bulletin and Road Atlas (co-authored with Fred Espenak!):
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1941983448
https://www.mreclipse.com/pubs/Atlas2024.html

Weather model chart collection at weather.us (ECMWF, ICON, GFS, NAM, HRRR):
https://weather.us/model-charts

National Weather Service CPC long range forecasts:
https://www.weather.gov/hun/climateforecast

Windy app (people love it):
https://windy.app/blog/nam-vs-hrrr-weather-models.html


3d printable counterbalance bracket to hold bottles or cans (modable).  Courtesy Preston Gregg:
https://www.tinkercad.com/things/3zDFQ4HI246-beer-can-counterweight-v03

Leticia Ferrer's site: 

https://texassolareclipses.com/

Host Chris Chotas Alexander's Site
https://www.chotachrome.com/
IG: @chotachrome

Totality Talks is created by Leticia Ferrer and Chris Chotas Alexander.  

Totality Talks is produced by Chris Chotas Alexander.  

In this episode we chat with Dr. Richard Tresch Fienberg, astronomer and science communicator. He talks about his journey from JPL, to Sky and Telescope, and on to the American Astronomical Society. Of course, we chat about the total solar eclipse of April 8, 2024.  He is now  retired and serves as the head of the American Astronomical  Society’s  Solar Eclipse Task Force. Trained as a professional astronomer,  he remains an amateur astronomer at heart. Rick joins us from his private observatory in central New Hampshire.

We apologize for the snaps and pops in the audio. It was cleaned up significantly and a newer version has been uploaded.  

Dr. Richard Tresch Fineberg Bio:

https://aas.org/press/richard-tresch-fienberg

American Astronomical Society Solar Eclipse Task Force:

https://eclipse.aas.org/about-us

Rick’s Sky & Telescope Article On How Dark Does It Get:

https://skyandtelescope.org/2024-total-solar-eclipse/how-dark-does-it-get-during-a-total-solar-eclipse/

How to build a sun funnel (Rick Fienberg, Chuck Bueter, Louis A. Mayo):

https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/static/img/make-sun-funnel/Build_a_Sun_Funnel_v4.pdf

Ballreich’s Eclipse Chips:

https://www.ballreich.com/product/eclipsechipse/

Michael Zeiler Eclipse Site:

https://www.greatamericaneclipse.com

Leticia Ferrer's site: 

https://texassolareclipses.com/

Host Chris Chotas Alexander's Site
https://www.chotachrome.com/
IG: @chotachrome

Totality Talks is created by Leticia Ferrer and Chris Chotas Alexander.  

Totality Talks is produced by Chris Chotas Alexander.  

Guest: Sævar Helgi Bragason  (Icelandic eclipse expert, organizer of Iceland's 2026 total solar eclipse preparations) 

Episode Summary

Chris and Leticia interview Sævar, Iceland's leading eclipse expert, ahead of the August 2026 total solar eclipse crossing Iceland. Sævar shares his personal eclipse history, the massive undertaking of preparing an entire country for the event, and what to expect on eclipse day.

Topics Discussed

• Sævar's name and background; his passion for "the cosmic ocean" over the sea
• His eclipse history: 4 total eclipses seen (soon to be 5), including 12 minutes 21 seconds of cumulative totality
• Iceland's last total eclipse was 1954 — stories from elderly witnesses who still light up describing it
• The pressure and emotional toll of organizing a national eclipse event (75,000–80,000 expected visitors)
• Eclipse economics: cruise ships (~40 in Icelandic waters), sold-out accommodations, eclipse-branded glasses (290,000+ distributed), skyr, beer, and champagne
• Northern lights and aurora chances during totality; current solar maximum activity
• Famous eclipse-chasing stories: Indonesia island mishap, flying with John Beatty, private jet trips, shadow bands on video
• Advice for future eclipse organizers: turning off automatic streetlights, encouraging people to stay put if weather is good
• Eclipse day logistics: totality begins ~5:48 PM in Reykjavik; traffic and travel tips
• The emotional experience of witnessing totality — Sævar's own tears, and reactions from first-timers
• Future eclipses: 2027 (Spain), 2028 (Australia), Saros series details, and long-term outlook
• Merchandise: branded eclipse glasses, T-shirts featuring Völuspá (Norse mythology poem about world's end)
• Shoutout to Jamie Carter for recommending the interview, and to American Paper Optics/Paolo for eclipse glasses production

Notable Quotes

• "It's just been the 12th of the most beautiful minutes of my lifetime, for sure."
• "If I can use the billion dollars to buy clear skies, then definitely the billion dollars."
• "You'll experience the shortest, most unique, probably most memorable nighttime of your life."

Key Dates Mentioned

• August 2026 – Iceland total solar eclipse
• 2027 – Spain eclipse
• 2028 – Australia eclipse
• 2044/2045 – Future US eclipses discussed

Leticia Ferrer's site: 

https://texassolareclipses.com/

Host Chris Chotas Alexander's Site
https://www.chotachrome.com/
IG: @chotachrome

Totality Talks is created by Leticia Ferrer and Chris Chotas Alexander.  

Totality Talks is produced by Chris Chotas Alexander.  

Ep#26 - Nick James - AstroTrails UK

Guest: Nick James, veteran eclipse chaser and longtime AstroTrails guide/traveler

0:58 – Welcome & intro: Nick's history traveling with AstroTrails
1:58 – The 2020 Argentina eclipse: pulling off a COVID-era trip via a special educational license, quarantine bubble, and the horse-paddock viewing site
8:36 – History of AstroTrails: from the 1973 Monte Umbi ship expedition to Brian McGee and Julie's growth of the company
16:14 – How AstroTrails plans itineraries, splits groups across sites, and navigates local logistics/contracts
21:59 – Nick's upcoming family trip to Spain for the eclipse, combined with his sister's 60th birthday
24:57 – Video vs. still photography for eclipses: camera gear, high dynamic range, and a new polarization camera setup
31:10 – Plans for the Perseid meteor shower the night after totality
38:34 – Scouting eclipse sites: using tools to check horizon/mountain obstructions
50:16 – Scouting the 2028 Australia eclipse: Sydney vs. the Kimberleys
53:27 – Nick's eclipse success rate: 18 umbra experiences and only a few clouded out
56:44 – Recapping the 2024 Mexico/Texas eclipse and last-minute cloud clearing in Torreón
59:22 – Closing thoughts and looking ahead to Egypt

https://www.astro-trails.com/

Nick's incredible eclipse videos!!:

2020:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAlzqdfHTT8

2023:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUniI-DCQKI

And many more:

https://www.youtube.com/@nickdjames

Leticia Ferrer's site: 

https://texassolareclipses.com/

Host Chris Chotas Alexander's Site
https://www.chotachrome.com/
IG: @chotachrome

Totality Talks is created by Leticia Ferrer and Chris Chotas Alexander.  

Totality Talks is produced by Chris Chotas Alexander.  

Leticia Ferrer and Chris welcome back returning guest Jay Anderson, a meteorologist known for producing cloud-cover forecasts for solar eclipse chasers, ahead of the upcoming eclipse in Spain, Iceland, and Greenland. Visit Jay’s website for all things eclipse weather:

http://www.eclipsophile.com

Topics covered:

• 1:16 — Introduction: Jay Anderson, "the Eclipsophile"
• 2:37 — Jay's eclipse-chasing history (25 total + 10 annular eclipses since 1979)
• 6:19 — Forest fire smoke risks in Spain for the upcoming eclipse
• 12:11 — Saharan dust storms and their effect on eclipse viewing
• 19:55 — Jay's forecasting toolkit: why he relies on Windy and multiple weather models
• 33:02 — The "chinook effect" and how it could clear clouds over Greenland's fjords
• 41:31 — Successfully chasing the 2021 Antarctica eclipse from a National Geographic ship
• 51:08 — Jay's other passion: teaching storm chasing at the University of Manitoba
• 55:29 — Plans for the 2028 Australia eclipse with a four-wheel drive camper
• 62:12 — Closing story: the "hand of God" moment during the 2009 China eclipse

Leticia Ferrer's site: 

https://texassolareclipses.com/

Host Chris Chotas Alexander's Site
https://www.chotachrome.com/
IG: @chotachrome

Totality Talks is created by Leticia Ferrer and Chris Chotas Alexander.  

Totality Talks is produced by Chris Chotas Alexander.  

Show Notes — Ep24: Chasing Totality with Jared Koh

Jared Koh joins Totality Talks to discuss Chasing Totality: The Complete Handbook for the 2026 Total Solar Eclipse, co-written with his father Joe Koh, and their family's eclipse-chasing journey since 2008.

Topics covered:

• 0:33 — Introduction and Jared's eclipse count (4 total, 1 annular)
• 0:54 — First eclipse in 2012 aboard a cruise ship in the Pacific
• 3:56 — The Saros cycle and why "science deepens wonder"
• 4:22 — Common eclipse-chasing mistakes from the book's "Ghost in the Machine" chapter (solar filters, bumped focus, dead batteries, autofocus)
• 7:49 — Camera fails across four eclipses (2012 phone footage, 2017 360 camera, 2024 drone freeze)
• 17:45 — Family background: parents' astronomy/travel passions and the "Beyond Totality" mini-site
• 17:50 — The 2023 "triple diamond ring" eclipse proposal story
• 22:41 — Drone photography, GPS interference, and country-specific drone regulations
• 28:07 — Gear planning with Dad's PADCO framework (Path, Accessibility, Duration, Cloud cover, Outreach)
• 36:24 — Community and outreach at eclipse gatherings
• 41:34 — Jared's favorite part of the book: a photo with his parents at his first eclipse
• 43:38 — The "eclipse pitch deck" and convincing friends/family to join the trip
• 45:40 — Describing totality as a sudden sunset/sunrise
• 52:50 — How technology changes (and might diminish) the eclipse-chasing experience
• 54:47 — Gear rigs and camera automation setups (SetnC solar clip timer)

Mentioned resources:

• Book: Chasing Totality: The Complete Handbook for the 2020 Total Solar Eclipse by Jared and Joe Koh
• Mini-site: chasingtotality.org/beyond ("Beyond Totality")
• Book: Total Addiction and Being in the Shadow by Kate Russo
• 2026 total solar eclipse cruise details (Southampton → Ibiza → La Coruña, Spain
• Jared's Eclipse Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccNnrhExC58b

Leticia Ferrer's site: 

https://texassolareclipses.com/

Host Chris Chotas Alexander's Site
https://www.chotachrome.com/
IG: @chotachrome

Totality Talks is created by Leticia Ferrer and Chris Chotas Alexander.  

Totality Talks is produced by Chris Chotas Alexander.  

In this episode, we chat with Joe Rao — veteran meteorologist, Hayden Planetarium lecturer, and eclipse chaser with 14 total solar eclipses under his belt.

Episode Highlights

• 1:07 — Joe's eclipse journey began at 16, witnessing his first total solar eclipse in Gaspé, Quebec (1972)
• 1:47 — The five airborne eclipses Joe has chased, including flights arranged with the late Dr. Glenn Schneider
• 2:44 — How Joe convinced American Trans Air to delay a 1990 flight by 41 minutes to intercept a total eclipse over the Pacific
• 15:46 — Remembering "Mr. Eclipse" Fred Espenak and the legacy of eclipse calculation pioneer Jean Meeus
• 20:00 — Chasing the 2024 Great North American Eclipse from Plattsburgh, NY — and the brutal traffic home
• 31:37 — Understanding the Saros cycle and the "exeligmos" — why Joe's upcoming August 2026 eclipse completes a 54-year cycle
• 41:32 — Joe's upcoming eclipse cruises: Balearic Sea (2026), Gibraltar (2027), and Australia's Kimberley region (2028)
• 45:06 — The unforgettable 1999 "Ship of Fools" cruise off Nova Scotia that delivered a perfectly clear sunrise eclipse
• 57:01 — The story of convincing American Hawaii Cruises to run an eclipse-themed cruise — and having breakfast with Apollo 11 astronaut Michael Collins
• 51:24 — Joe's advice for first-time eclipse viewers: put the phone down and just watch

Key Takeaway

Don't photograph your first total eclipse — just absorb it. As Joe puts it, the corona, diamond ring, and shifting sky colors are experiences you can't get through a phone screen.

Leticia Ferrer's site: 

https://texassolareclipses.com/

Host Chris Chotas Alexander's Site
https://www.chotachrome.com/
IG: @chotachrome

Totality Talks is created by Leticia Ferrer and Chris Chotas Alexander.  

Totality Talks is produced by Chris Chotas Alexander.  

Welcome back to TT!    ***(episode updated July 6)***

In this episode we have Anne Buckle and Graham Jones from Timeanddate.com They are the hosts of the eclipse livestreams on Time&Date.com and they join us from Norway.  Hope you enjoy are chat with Anna and Graham!

Leticia and Chris interview Anne Buckle and Graham Jones of timeanddate.com about their eclipse resources, astronomy writing, and 10 years of eclipse live streaming. Graham describes a project revisiting the often-quoted “one total solar eclipse per location every 375 years” result by expanding Jean Meeus’s 1982 analysis from 600 to 15,000 years, using latitude bands and major computing power; they found 373 ± 7 years versus Meeus’s 375 ± 16, then extended work to partial eclipses and other patterns. They discuss building a stronger science team, past streams (2017 and 2023 Exmouth with Perth Observatory and government support), and plans for 2026 with teams near León and Mallorca plus partner feeds from Iceland, Greenwich, and Kassel. They cover cloud risks, eclipse “myths” (eclipses aren’t that rare), Earth-rotation delta‑T uncertainty shifting totality paths, solar cycle 25 trending down from max, and Perseids near the August eclipse under new moon.

00:00 Welcome and Introductions
02:33 Timeanddate Tools Shoutout
03:03 Anna and Graham Backgrounds
03:56 Recalculating Eclipse Frequency
09:16 Building the Eclipse Team
10:51 First Livestream Memories
12:30 Plans for 2026 Spain
14:53 Partners for Europe Coverage
17:38 Anna First Totality Story
19:59 2024 Eclipse Split Teams
23:04 2023 Exmouth Livestream
27:15 Favorite Eclipse Moments
29:14 Moon Deadline Mindset
30:47 Math Meets Wonder
32:33 Saros Series Visualized
34:17 Eclipse Patterns Over Millennia
40:34 Sharing Sky Guides
42:44 Midnight Sun and Auroras
44:53 Solar Cycle 25 Update
46:25 Perseids After Totality
49:02 Eclipse Myths Debunked
50:09 Delta T Shifts Totality
56:29 Wrap Up and Thanks

https://www.timeanddate.com/

https://www.timeanddate.com/company/by/anne-buckle

https://www.timeanddate.com/company/by/graham-jones

Saros 126 Animated Gif:

https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEsarosanimate/126.gif

Saros 126 (72 eclipses 1179CE - 2459CE):

https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEsaros/SEsaros126.html

Leticia Ferrer's site: 

https://texassolareclipses.com/

Host Chris Chotas Alexander's Site
https://www.chotachrome.com/
IG: @chotachrome

Totality Talks is created by Leticia Ferrer and Chris Chotas Alexander.  

Totality Talks is produced by Chris Chotas Alexander.  

In this episode, we are speaking with Nacho Perez, The Director of Galáctica (the Center for the Observation and Dissemination of Astronomy in Teruel, Spain).  He is an astronomer and science communicator, coming into Astronomy through Art.  Galaticia is nominated as the European Museum of the year, and hosts many public outreach astronomy events which I was fortunate to attend last year.  

He shares what the Galáctica center is doing for the August 12 2026, Total Solar Eclipse, how he got into his role as the Director and other items about Spain and this year's Total Solar Eclipse. 

Links: https://galactica.org.es/en/eclipse-experience/

Instagram: @nachopereztorrejon 

Leticia Ferrer's site: 

https://texassolareclipses.com/

Host Chris Chotas Alexander's Site
https://www.chotachrome.com/
IG: @chotachrome

Totality Talks is created by Leticia Ferrer and Chris Chotas Alexander.  

Totality Talks is produced by Chris Chotas Alexander.  

In this episode we have part 1 of a  2 parter focusing on Spain 2026.   Part one is our interview with Tania Uhlig from Comboi Spain travel. She joins from Spain to chat all things eclipse España!  Time is getting short before the next event... book your travel before things start getting strange!

Part 2 is with Nacho Pérez of Galactica (Spain) with Tania as translator... publishing very soon!

https://www.instagram.com/comboispain/

Leticia Ferrer's site: 

https://texassolareclipses.com/

Host Chris Chotas Alexander's Site
https://www.chotachrome.com/
IG: @chotachrome

Totality Talks is created by Leticia Ferrer and Chris Chotas Alexander.  

Totality Talks is produced by Chris Chotas Alexander.  

In this episode, we welcome Dr. Angela Speck. Professor of astrophysics and the chair of the Department of Physics and Astronomy at University of Texas San Antonio.  She’s wanted to become an astronaut since she was 5 years old. While not scheduled to fly, she continues to vigorously study the untold secrets of the cosmos.

The English-born professor has become a leading eclipse expert, having first helped prepare the U.S. public and media for the total solar eclipses that took place in 2017 and 2024.  

We welcome Angela to the podcast!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angela_Speck

https://sciences.utsa.edu/spotlights/faculty/2019/angela-speck.html

Video version! https://share.descript.com/view/yz8xMdoKyca

Leticia Ferrer's site: 

https://texassolareclipses.com/

Host Chris Chotas Alexander's Site
https://www.chotachrome.com/
IG: @chotachrome

Totality Talks is created by Leticia Ferrer and Chris Chotas Alexander.  

Totality Talks is produced by Chris Chotas Alexander.  

Show Notes: Basselian Elements — Eclipse Chasers & Citizen Scientists

Host Leticia Ferrer talks with Luca Quaglia and Alessandro Pezzi of BasilianElements.com, a team of eclipse chasers known for their detailed mountain-shadow and lunar-limb mapping ahead of major solar eclipses.

Topics covered:

• 1:04 — How the international team came together (university friends from Italy, joined by collaborators in England, Greece, and Romania after their first eclipse in 1999)
• 7:44 — Measuring the solar radius using total solar eclipses, and why the century-old reference value needed revisiting
• 13:07 — Why they camp out at the edge of the path of totality for maximum measurement sensitivity
• 19:04 — The 2024 Texas eclipse story — a fellow observer expecting a minute of totality got 12.8 seconds instead
• 51:49 — Annular eclipses and Baily's Beads — how they extract solar-radius data even without full totality
• 46:53 — Avoiding classic eclipse-chasing mistakes (like forgetting to remove the solar filter) through rigorous preparation
• 46:24 — Their free Eclipse Countdown app for precise contact times
• 58:46 — Plans for the 2027 Spain eclipse, chasing the edge near Zaragoza/Teruel

Besselian Elements:

https://www.besselianelements.com/

Leticia's video:

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zR6wVyBLhdE

Leticia Ferrer's site: 

https://texassolareclipses.com/

Host Chris Chotas Alexander's Site
https://www.chotachrome.com/
IG: @chotachrome

Totality Talks is created by Leticia Ferrer and Chris Chotas Alexander.  

Totality Talks is produced by Chris Chotas Alexander.