And afterwards? Many people say that a total solar eclipse is Nature’s greatest spectacle. I was doubtful about this because of all the other contenders for that title, but having seen one, I think they may be right. A total eclipse has everything; a celestial portent, weird atmospheric effects, and the sense of drama as the Sun slowly vanishes behind the Moon. The thing that struck us, though, was the sheer cosmic inevitability of it all. All the media chatter beforehand counted for nothing when the shadow came.
48
seconds into totality. Clouds hide some of the corona. Three prominences are
visible behind the lower part of the Moon. Still from
a
video by Nigel
Chatfield (Click to enlarge image)Back to top
My brother Nigel said, "The whole essence of the experience for me was the
sheer scale of it, far beyond the comprehension of the millions across the globe
who had turned out to watch it. The Moon and Sun were oblivious to the watchers
below, moving in the same paths they had followed for millions of years. It gave
perspective to events on earth and served as a timely reminder that there are
things in the Universe far greater than humankind."
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