Through personal stories of six ordinary people, this narrative non-fiction book describes what it is like to experience a total eclipse for the first time. After these stories, you will understand why you MUST try to experience this eerie and awe-inspiring event yourself. Essential reading, written by an eclipse-chasing psychologist.

In 2017, over 200 million Americans witnessed the spectacular total eclipse of the Sun, and the 2024 eclipse is expected to draw even larger crowds. In anticipation of this upcoming event, this book takes us back in history over 150 years, telling the story of the nation’s first ever eclipse chasers. Our tale follows the chaotic journeys of scientists and amateur astronomers as they trekked across the western United States to view the rare phenomenon of a total solar eclipse. The fascinating story centers on the expeditions of the 1869 total eclipse, which took place during the turbulent age of the chimerical Planet Vulcan and Civil War Reconstruction. The protagonists—a motley crew featuring astronomical giants like Simon Newcomb and pioneering female astronomers like Maria Mitchell—were met with unanticipated dangers, mission-threatening accidents, and eccentric characters only the West could produce. Theirs is a story of astronomical proportions. Along the way, we will make several stops across the booming US railroad network, traveling from viewing sites as familiar as Des Moines, Iowa, to ones as distant and strange as newly acquired Alaska. From equipment failures and botched preparations to quicksand and apocalyptic ‘comets’, welcome to the wild, western world of solar eclipses.

The most complete guide to viewing eclipses-including details on every solar and lunar eclipse through 2017 Want to observe the most fleeting eclipse phenomena, take dramatic photos, and keep a detailed record of the experience? Now you can be prepared. This comprehensive one-stop resource covers everything you need to know about solar and lunar eclipses-why they happen, how to view them, how to photograph them, even when and where they will occur through the year 2017. Here's where to turn for: * Detailed explanations of eclipse mechanics and dynamics, viewing techniques, and what to look for, both in the sky and all around you * Extended discussions of eclipse photography and videography-film selection and developing, filter requirements, special care of equipment, and more * Intriguing individual and group activities you can carry out during an eclipse to heighten your enjoyment and deepen your understanding of the event * Detailed maps and discussions on how and where to best view each eclipse, plus travel considerations, likely weather conditions, and equipment recommendations Whether you're a backyard astronomer, a dedicated eclipse chaser, or a teacher guiding students through their first eclipse experience, Eclipse! provides the in-depth, detailed, practical information you need to make the most of these thrilling celestial marvels of nature.

A uniquely prismatic representation of total solar eclipses, this volume invites us to imagine a liberated mode of discovery, perception, creativity, and knowledge-production across the traditional academic divisions.