#32 Solar Eclipse

[Natalie]

On Wednesday, August 12, 2026 Russia, parts of Europe, and parts of North America will be able to see a total solar eclipse. Do you enjoy star gazing, seeing periodic eclipses, or following developments in space?

[Rosemarie]

Living in a big city, I rarely get a good view of the night sky. But I enjoy whichever events I get a chance to see.
I got about a 10 second obstructed view of the last solar eclipse we had in Toronto, but was more excited when it actually got dark. That was cool!

[Ed]

I have watched a total solar eclipse once. I had to travel far to see it. It was very interesting to see. The rest of the trip was also interesting since it was in a country with a culture different from my own. Yet, when I've had other chances to travel to see one, I've declined. They don't last long, and seeing one was enough.

Partial solar eclipses are completely underwhelming.

Lunar eclipses can be neat, but I rarely go outside after sunset these days.

I hope someday to see a really big, bright comet.

[Allan]

I have some great pictures from April 8, 2024, which was a total solar eclipse providing up to 4 minutes and 28 seconds of darkness along a 115-mile-wide path stretching from Mexico through 15 U.S. states to Canada. We had a large family gathering at my in-laws' house in Fredericksburg, Texas, smack dab in the middle of the 100% band.

[Rosemarie]

That sounds amazing, Allan.

[Stephen]

Apparently there will be a partial eclipse visible in Ottawa tomorrow afternoon, with a maximum of about 15.5% of the sun covered. I hadn’t been aware this was going to happen. Don’t know how noticeable it will be.

Thoretically I’m somewhat interested in the night sky but I rarely look at it, don’t pay attention to meteor showers etc. I do notice when there are bright planets near the moon, for instance. If I lived in the country I imagine I’d look at the stars more often.

[Natalie]

I lived for a couple years in Flagstaff, Arizona where there is a fairly large observatory. City regulations said outside lights could not be bright and must be angled down. It was darker at night but the stars were amazingly clear to see.
I love to look at the night sky!