The beauty and wonder of a solar eclipse can captivate anyone who’s ever witnessed it. The rare phenomenon has always drawn enthusiasts from all corners of the world, and this year was no exception. In a tiny Western Australian town, a group of eclipse chasers descended to witness the “wonders of the universe.” As they marveled at the celestial event, they were left breathless by the awe-inspiring spectacle happening above them. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the experience of these solar eclipse chasers and explore what makes this cosmic event so captivating.
On Thursday 19th April 2023, eclipse enthusiasts from across the planet gathered in the tiny town of Exmouth, Western Australia to witness a rare hybrid eclipse. The Solar Wind Sherpas, an international team of scientific adventurers who have tracked solar eclipses across the world, were among the spectators, studying the sun’s corona and fast bursts of energy in its active regions to gain a better understanding of space weather and its effects on Earth.
The eclipse was a mesmerizing sight that lasted approximately three hours. At 11.29 AM local time, the Earth, moon and sun aligned perfectly, with the moon covering the sun’s disc. This created a shimmering corona, resembling a halo around the moon, and the stars and planets became visible. The temperature dropped, and animals began to act strangely.
The eclipse passed directly over Exmouth, where audiences gathered in dedicated viewing areas to witness the rare event. Others watched from boats and ships and from parts of Timor-Leste and Indonesia. The rest of Australia was able to see a partial eclipse.
The Solar Wind Sherpas were excited to view the sun’s corona, and they set up cameras and spectrometers, using filters that showed the corona in different colors, correlating with its temperature. This year, for the first time, they flew a kite with a spectrometer onboard, 1,000 meters above the clouds. These unique observations, which are not possible through space observation, enable the sherpas to learn more about the critical corona region and how solar winds affect the Earth’s magnetic field, disrupting GPS and power systems.
For Shadia Habbal, an astronomy professor at the University of Hawaii and the head sherpa for the Solar Wind Sherpas, eclipses also provide an opportunity to visit communities and places that one wouldn’t typically have access to. She praised the generosity and hospitality of Exmouth’s residents and acknowledged the sense of community among eclipse chasers.
Eclipse chasing has been described as an addiction, with some enthusiasts having clocked up dozens of viewings of the celestial show. Although Exmouth was initially in danger of being eclipsed by eclipse chasers, the authorities stepped up to the challenge, opening an overflow campsite, upgrading telecommunication infrastructure, and spending millions on traffic management and beach facilities. The town welcomed tens of thousands of people, from Nasa scientists to the sherpas and hordes of amateur eclipse chasers.
For Terry Cuttle, an eclipse chaser, and a member of the International Astronomical Union’s working group on solar eclipses, an eclipse event is an opportunity to bring science to people. As he drove from Brisbane, he acknowledged that the thrill of experiencing totality was a chance to experience the universe in motion, watching the moon move across the sun, and the solar system in full view.
The president of the Astronomical Society of Australia, Prof John Lattanzio, pointed out that Australia will have five total eclipses over the next 15 years, including one in Sydney in 2028. He believes that the awe of a total solar eclipse is one way for everyone to experience the wonders of the universe.
It is not just humans that experience the otherworldliness of an eclipse. In a 2020 study of 17 species – mammals, birds, and reptiles – during an eclipse, researchers found that three out of four were affected by the phenomenon. Some animals started their evening routines early. Many were anxious, while others became aggressive, swayed, swooped, or went silent.
For eclipse enthusiasts, the looming ominous shadow of the moon rushing towards them, the dramatic change in light as daylight suddenly changes to a deep twilight, the appearance of planets in the daytime sky strung out with the solar system in full view, the stunning sight of the sun appearing as a black hole in the sky surrounded by its glowing pearly white corona – all combine to make it a dramatic experience that people almost invariably want to experience again. The most common question asked after an eclipse is when and where is the next one?
