Happy Solar Eclipse Day
Cartographer Andy Woodruff shares his passion for eclipses with a fun, interactive map
Remember that time I told you that the Sun is undefeated when it comes to making light? While that is still technically true, there is going to be some significant interference today.
From the Moon.
A total solar eclipse will traverse much of North America today, including over a significant amount of territory in the United States (see here for how to watch it safely). Being that the path of totality covers some significant population centers in the States, plenty of Americans planned travel for today. Perhaps you are among those who traveled to Dallas, Indianapolis, Cleveland, or Buffalo in the hopes of catching a glimpse of this unique celestial event.
One such American in the path of totality today is cartographer Andy Woodruff (he of the stunning map of the White Mountains of New Hampshire, which was profiled here previously). According to Andy’s post on LinkedIn a few weeks ago, this will be the seventh (!) time he’s witnessed a total solar eclipse.
Andy (and his parents, wow!) is what you might call an eclipse junkie. He’s also an eclipse purist. Woodruff contends that you only really see an eclipse if you see a total eclipse:
Pardon my snobbery, but if you see only the partial phase of this or any other eclipse, you really did not see the eclipse!
So, for this one to count toward your lifetime eclipse total, you’ll need to be in the path of totality today. Check out Andy’s Eclipse 2024 map to see if you are and, if not, maybe you are close enough to one of those big cities to make a last-minute road trip.