Today marked the first time I was witness to a total solar eclipse! Even with the cloud cover obscuring the view of the relevant celestial bodies it was still an incredible experience as it got dark in the middle of the afternoon. It was dark enough for the streetlights to turn on because their light sensors detected the darkness.
I’ve greatly enjoyed seeing the photos of the event folks have shared on the fediverse and elsewhere.
Here are a few that came my way:
- https://m.bonzoesc.net/@bonzoesc/112238075526004785
- https://tenforward.social/@eli_oat/112238147941750583
- https://tenforward.social/@RogueMogh/112237323937780750
- https://tenforward.social/@giltay/112237491179815032
- https://tenforward.social/@MindmeshLink/112237714809738258
- https://pony.social/@cadey/112237346964763800
- https://social.wxcafe.net/@wxcafe/112237307742428655
- https://arstechnica.com/science/2024/04/moments-of-totality-how-ars-experienced-the-eclipse/
- https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/photos/in-photos-solar-eclipse-scenes-in-canada-1.7166886
- https://kottke.org/24/04/the-best-photos-and-videos-of-the-2024-solar-eclipse
I’ve been thinking about all the past humans who also bore witness to a total solar eclipse and the shared sense of awe and wonder that we feel today. Also thinking about how even with the sun mostly not visible we still cannot look at it directly without eye protection because it will damage our eyes. It is humbling.
I also saw this quote from Bob Goulais, a knowledge keeper from the Nipissing First Nation in a CBC article that I really liked:
“We see that balance in creation,” Goulais said. “It reminds us to reflect on our own place in creation and where we fit into it.”
Bob Goulais in Eclipse passes over Toronto on Monday afternoon
KEXP played eclipse/sun/moon adjacent songs throughout the day, one I really liked was Total Eclipse of the Heart by Bonnie Tyler. What’s your favourite eclipse/sun/moon adjacent song?