Totality Talks - The Solar Eclipse Podcast

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.  

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.