Eclipse

I have seen several eclipses in my lifetime. At 80, you would think so. Lunar and solar eclipses are very different and provide an interesting perspective on things. Lunar eclipses, of course during the daytime, are not very visible. At night they are but make an often moonless night just like another one.

Solar eclipses, however, are stunning if they are near total. In Chicago, this week’s eclipse was about 94% at 2:07 pm. Wow! Streetlights came on. Although still sunny and shadows were still cast around buildings, people and cars, the light was dim. Shrouded was the feeling that came over me. Shrouded, darkened but not dark.

Recovery from the eclipse was as slow as its approach. Crazy experience. Very odd. Noticeably so. And yet we knew it was coming, knew when it would occur, and even the percentage of totality. Still, our imaginations taunted us to think what it would be like. I did. But I was not prepared for what happened.

I am glad I was home to witness this eclipse. Retired, I had the time to note the fading light. Just think of years past, we were most likely working and indoors. Who would have taken the effort to view the eclipse? Would we even have the foresight to remember the exact time it was to happen? I doubt it. And then, living in Illinois, what are the chances it would be a cloudy day, let alone rainy or snowy? Well, you know the odds on that! We just navigated a week of mostly cloudy, rainy days. The eclipse miraculously had perfect weather for us in Chicagoland.

I am impressed by the experience. I’m thinking this was the most noticeable solar eclipse of my life. Certainly, it was the most I was aware of an eclipse.

Eerie. Spooky. A reminder that Mother Nature is in charge, not mankind. No, we are mere witnesses to some pretty amazing things over which we have no control.

Now, our reactions are under our control. Me? I am pretty thrilled with the experience.

Am I allowed to say, WOW!?

April 12, 2024