The Solar Eclipse Chasers group on Facebook has had a busy week. First, there was a dialogue about journey plans and the perfect locations to catch up December 4th photo voltaic eclipse, Then fanatics had been reminiscing about their previous eclipse-watching experiences and sharing images.
Some umbraphiles (eclipse lovers), who made it to Punta Arenas in Chile, shared glorious images within the group and supplied to satisfy different fanatics within the space. Another member of the group shared images of eclipse stamps issued by a Chilean postal firm.
On eclipse day, on-line and on-location eclipse watchers convened in digital area to debate the deserves of Lindblad’s versus NASA’s dwell feed, or to share miserable images of fog-capped Amundsen Bay in Antarctica ( “An eclipse chaser of life. Win some, lose some,” wrote one consumer in response).
When he began the group in 2010, UK-based Ian (identified by his first title) noticed it as a spot the place he might be in contact along with his touring companions from Polynesia’s Easter Island. More than a decade later, the group has greater than 8,200 members and is a spot for eclipse chasers to plan and share info, experiences and images. As the world prepares to witness the final photo voltaic eclipse of 2021, we catch up through electronic mail with the person working behind the scenes.
How did you get within the photo voltaic eclipse?
I noticed my first whole photo voltaic eclipse in 1999 within the United Kingdom. However, the climate was not good at the moment. So on the summer time solstice in 2001, I noticed my second whole eclipse in Madagascar. This time, the situations had been good and I used to be hooked. After that, I made a decision it was a great way to journey as a result of it means you let the eclipse determine the place you are going.
How did the concept of ​​beginning a Facebook group come about?
I began a Facebook group to be in contact with my journey companions, whom I joined to look at the photo voltaic eclipse on Easter Island in July 2010. We had been a bunch of people that adopted the eclipse in one of the crucial distant elements of the planet.
How has the group advanced through the years?
Over the years, individuals began connecting and it naturally turned a worldwide hub for individuals. A lot of individuals attended across the photo voltaic eclipse of August 2017. [The total solar eclipse was nicknamed the ‘Great American Eclipse’ because it was visible all along North America in a path spanning from Salem, Oregon to Charleston, South Carolina],
Even after that, there is a regular movement of posts and images, and this group has turn into so large for me that I am unable to handle every little thing myself. So I nominated just a few key members to assist ease the admissions course of. Nowadays, yow will discover a few of the most fascinating eclipse conversations, journey plans and nice images on this area.
Have you held member conferences in particular person?
For now, my interactions with the group are totally on-line. I benefit from the group expertise, however I do not plan on assembly any of it in particular person. Maybe sooner or later I’ll.
What is your favourite eclipse expertise?
The expertise in Madagascar was essential as a result of it began a brand new interest and changed my ordinary summer time exercise that 12 months. I additionally fell in love with Madagascar. The eclipse of 2010 was additionally particular. Standing on a volcano on Easter Island and watching the shadow of the Moon throughout the Pacific Ocean was a really particular expertise. I’ve wished to go to Easter Island for the remainder of my life, so it was like a dream come true.
There’s quite a bit I like about watching an eclipse. I like watching everybody put together for this course of, placing up advanced cameras and taking the guesswork out of first contact. The surprise of the eclipse cannot be described and I hope those that cannot catch one in particular person can benefit from the images shared on the Facebook group.
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With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
