Advertise on podcast: Totality Talks - The Solar Eclipse Podcast

Show Notes: Basselian Elements — Eclipse Chasers & Citizen Scientists Host Leticia Ferrer talks with Luca Quaglia and Alessandro Pezzi of BasilianElements.com, a team of eclipse chasers known for their detailed mountain-shadow and lunar-limb mapping ahead of major solar eclipses. Topics covered: 1:04 — How the international team came together (university friends from Italy, joined by collaborators in England, Greece, and Romania after their first eclipse in 1999)7:44 — Measuring the solar radius using total solar eclipses, and why the century-old reference value needed revisiting13:07 — Why they camp out at the edge of the path of totality for maximum measurement sensitivity19:04 — The 2024 Texas eclipse story — a fellow observer expecting a minute of totality got 12.8 seconds instead51:49 — Annular eclipses and Baily's Beads — how they extract solar-radius data even without full totality46:53 — Avoiding classic eclipse-chasing mistakes (like forgetting to remove the solar filter) through rigorous preparation46:24 — Their free Eclipse Countdown app for precise contact times58:46 — Plans for the 2027 Spain eclipse, chasing the edge near Zaragoza/TeruelBesselian Elements: https://www.besselianelements.com/ Leticia's video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zR6wVyBLhdE Leticia Ferrer's site:  https://texassolareclipses.com/ Host Chris Chotas Alexander's Site https://www.chotachrome.com/ IG: @chotachrome Totality Talks is created by Leticia Ferrer and Chris Chotas Alexander.   Totality Talks is produced by Chris Chotas Alexander.

Guest: Sævar Helgi Bragason  (Icelandic eclipse expert, organizer of Iceland's 2026 total solar eclipse preparations)  Episode Summary Chris and Leticia interview Sævar, Iceland's leading eclipse expert, ahead of the August 2026 total solar eclipse crossing Iceland. Sævar shares his personal eclipse history, the massive undertaking of preparing an entire country for the event, and what to expect on eclipse day. Topics Discussed Sævar's name and background; his passion for "the cosmic ocean" over the seaHis eclipse history: 4 total eclipses seen (soon to be 5), including 12 minutes 21 seconds of cumulative totalityIceland's last total eclipse was 1954 — stories from elderly witnesses who still light up describing itThe pressure and emotional toll of organizing a national eclipse event (75,000–80,000 expected visitors)Eclipse economics: cruise ships (~40 in Icelandic waters), sold-out accommodations, eclipse-branded glasses (290,000+ distributed), skyr, beer, and champagneNorthern lights and aurora chances during totality; current solar maximum activityFamous eclipse-chasing stories: Indonesia island mishap, flying with John Beatty, private jet trips, shadow bands on videoAdvice for future eclipse organizers: turning off automatic streetlights, encouraging people to stay put if weather is goodEclipse day logistics: totality begins ~5:48 PM in Reykjavik; traffic and travel tipsThe emotional experience of witnessing totality — Sævar's own tears, and reactions from first-timersFuture eclipses: 2027 (Spain), 2028 (Australia), Saros series details, and long-term outlookMerchandise: branded eclipse glasses, T-shirts featuring Völuspá (Norse mythology poem about world's end)Shoutout to Jamie Carter for recommending the interview, and to American Paper Optics/Paolo for eclipse glasses productionNotable Quotes "It's just been the 12th of the most beautiful minutes of my lifetime, for sure.""If I can use the billion dollars to buy clear skies, then definitely the billion dollars.""You'll experience the shortest, most unique, probably most memorable nighttime of your life."Key Dates Mentioned August 2026 – Iceland total solar eclipse2027 – Spain eclipse2028 – Australia eclipse2044/2045 – Future US eclipses discussed Leticia Ferrer's site:  https://texassolareclipses.com/ Host Chris Chotas Alexander's Site https://www.chotachrome.com/ IG: @chotachrome Totality Talks is created by Leticia Ferrer and Chris Chotas Alexander.   Totality Talks is produced by Chris Chotas Alexander.

Ep#26 - Nick James - AstroTrails UK Guest: Nick James, veteran eclipse chaser and longtime AstroTrails guide/traveler 0:58 – Welcome & intro: Nick's history traveling with AstroTrails 1:58 – The 2020 Argentina eclipse: pulling off a COVID-era trip via a special educational license, quarantine bubble, and the horse-paddock viewing site 8:36 – History of AstroTrails: from the 1973 Monte Umbi ship expedition to Brian McGee and Julie's growth of the company 16:14 – How AstroTrails plans itineraries, splits groups across sites, and navigates local logistics/contracts 21:59 – Nick's upcoming family trip to Spain for the eclipse, combined with his sister's 60th birthday 24:57 – Video vs. still photography for eclipses: camera gear, high dynamic range, and a new polarization camera setup 31:10 – Plans for the Perseid meteor shower the night after totality 38:34 – Scouting eclipse sites: using tools to check horizon/mountain obstructions 50:16 – Scouting the 2028 Australia eclipse: Sydney vs. the Kimberleys 53:27 – Nick's eclipse success rate: 18 umbra experiences and only a few clouded out 56:44 – Recapping the 2024 Mexico/Texas eclipse and last-minute cloud clearing in Torreón 59:22 – Closing thoughts and looking ahead to Egypt https://www.astro-trails.com/ Nick's incredible eclipse videos!!: 2020: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAlzqdfHTT8 2023: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUniI-DCQKI And many more: https://www.youtube.com/@nickdjames Leticia Ferrer's site:  https://texassolareclipses.com/ Host Chris Chotas Alexander's Site https://www.chotachrome.com/ IG: @chotachrome Totality Talks is created by Leticia Ferrer and Chris Chotas Alexander.   Totality Talks is produced by Chris Chotas Alexander.

Leticia Ferrer and Chris welcome back returning guest Jay Anderson, a meteorologist known for producing cloud-cover forecasts for solar eclipse chasers, ahead of the upcoming eclipse in Spain, Iceland, and Greenland. Visit Jay’s website for all things eclipse weather: http://www.eclipsophile.com Topics covered: 1:16 — Introduction: Jay Anderson, "the Eclipsophile"2:37 — Jay's eclipse-chasing history (25 total + 10 annular eclipses since 1979)6:19 — Forest fire smoke risks in Spain for the upcoming eclipse12:11 — Saharan dust storms and their effect on eclipse viewing19:55 — Jay's forecasting toolkit: why he relies on Windy and multiple weather models33:02 — The "chinook effect" and how it could clear clouds over Greenland's fjords41:31 — Successfully chasing the 2021 Antarctica eclipse from a National Geographic ship51:08 — Jay's other passion: teaching storm chasing at the University of Manitoba55:29 — Plans for the 2028 Australia eclipse with a four-wheel drive camper62:12 — Closing story: the "hand of God" moment during the 2009 China eclipse Leticia Ferrer's site:  https://texassolareclipses.com/ Host Chris Chotas Alexander's Site https://www.chotachrome.com/ IG: @chotachrome Totality Talks is created by Leticia Ferrer and Chris Chotas Alexander.   Totality Talks is produced by Chris Chotas Alexander.

Show Notes — Ep24: Chasing Totality with Jared Koh Jared Koh joins Totality Talks to discuss Chasing Totality: The Complete Handbook for the 2026 Total Solar Eclipse, co-written with his father Joe Koh, and their family's eclipse-chasing journey since 2008. Topics covered: 0:33 — Introduction and Jared's eclipse count (4 total, 1 annular)0:54 — First eclipse in 2012 aboard a cruise ship in the Pacific3:56 — The Saros cycle and why "science deepens wonder"4:22 — Common eclipse-chasing mistakes from the book's "Ghost in the Machine" chapter (solar filters, bumped focus, dead batteries, autofocus)7:49 — Camera fails across four eclipses (2012 phone footage, 2017 360 camera, 2024 drone freeze)17:45 — Family background: parents' astronomy/travel passions and the "Beyond Totality" mini-site17:50 — The 2023 "triple diamond ring" eclipse proposal story22:41 — Drone photography, GPS interference, and country-specific drone regulations28:07 — Gear planning with Dad's PADCO framework (Path, Accessibility, Duration, Cloud cover, Outreach)36:24 — Community and outreach at eclipse gatherings41:34 — Jared's favorite part of the book: a photo with his parents at his first eclipse43:38 — The "eclipse pitch deck" and convincing friends/family to join the trip45:40 — Describing totality as a sudden sunset/sunrise52:50 — How technology changes (and might diminish) the eclipse-chasing experience54:47 — Gear rigs and camera automation setups (SetnC solar clip timer)Mentioned resources: Book: Chasing Totality: The Complete Handbook for the 2020 Total Solar Eclipse by Jared and Joe KohMini-site: chasingtotality.org/beyond ("Beyond Totality")Book: Total Addiction and Being in the Shadow by Kate Russo2026 total solar eclipse cruise details (Southampton → Ibiza → La Coruña, SpainJared's Eclipse Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccNnrhExC58b Leticia Ferrer's site:  https://texassolareclipses.com/ Host Chris Chotas Alexander's Site https://www.chotachrome.com/ IG: @chotachrome Totality Talks is created by Leticia Ferrer and Chris Chotas Alexander.   Totality Talks is produced by Chris Chotas Alexander.

In this episode, we chat with Joe Rao — veteran meteorologist, Hayden Planetarium lecturer, and eclipse chaser with 14 total solar eclipses under his belt. Episode Highlights 1:07 — Joe's eclipse journey began at 16, witnessing his first total solar eclipse in Gaspé, Quebec (1972)1:47 — The five airborne eclipses Joe has chased, including flights arranged with the late Dr. Glenn Schneider2:44 — How Joe convinced American Trans Air to delay a 1990 flight by 41 minutes to intercept a total eclipse over the Pacific15:46 — Remembering "Mr. Eclipse" Fred Espenak and the legacy of eclipse calculation pioneer Jean Meeus20:00 — Chasing the 2024 Great North American Eclipse from Plattsburgh, NY — and the brutal traffic home31:37 — Understanding the Saros cycle and the "exeligmos" — why Joe's upcoming August 2026 eclipse completes a 54-year cycle41:32 — Joe's upcoming eclipse cruises: Balearic Sea (2026), Gibraltar (2027), and Australia's Kimberley region (2028)45:06 — The unforgettable 1999 "Ship of Fools" cruise off Nova Scotia that delivered a perfectly clear sunrise eclipse57:01 — The story of convincing American Hawaii Cruises to run an eclipse-themed cruise — and having breakfast with Apollo 11 astronaut Michael Collins51:24 — Joe's advice for first-time eclipse viewers: put the phone down and just watchKey Takeaway Don't photograph your first total eclipse — just absorb it. As Joe puts it, the corona, diamond ring, and shifting sky colors are experiences you can't get through a phone screen. Leticia Ferrer's site:  https://texassolareclipses.com/ Host Chris Chotas Alexander's Site https://www.chotachrome.com/ IG: @chotachrome Totality Talks is created by Leticia Ferrer and Chris Chotas Alexander.   Totality Talks is produced by Chris Chotas Alexander.

Welcome back to TT!    ***(episode updated July 6)*** In this episode we have Anne Buckle and Graham Jones from Timeanddate.com They are the hosts of the eclipse livestreams on Time&Date.com and they join us from Norway.  Hope you enjoy are chat with Anna and Graham! Leticia and Chris interview Anne Buckle and Graham Jones of timeanddate.com about their eclipse resources, astronomy writing, and 10 years of eclipse live streaming. Graham describes a project revisiting the often-quoted “one total solar eclipse per location every 375 years” result by expanding Jean Meeus’s 1982 analysis from 600 to 15,000 years, using latitude bands and major computing power; they found 373 ± 7 years versus Meeus’s 375 ± 16, then extended work to partial eclipses and other patterns. They discuss building a stronger science team, past streams (2017 and 2023 Exmouth with Perth Observatory and government support), and plans for 2026 with teams near León and Mallorca plus partner feeds from Iceland, Greenwich, and Kassel. They cover cloud risks, eclipse “myths” (eclipses aren’t that rare), Earth-rotation delta‑T uncertainty shifting totality paths, solar cycle 25 trending down from max, and Perseids near the August eclipse under new moon. 00:00 Welcome and Introductions 02:33 Timeanddate Tools Shoutout 03:03 Anna and Graham Backgrounds 03:56 Recalculating Eclipse Frequency 09:16 Building the Eclipse Team 10:51 First Livestream Memories 12:30 Plans for 2026 Spain 14:53 Partners for Europe Coverage 17:38 Anna First Totality Story 19:59 2024 Eclipse Split Teams 23:04 2023 Exmouth Livestream 27:15 Favorite Eclipse Moments 29:14 Moon Deadline Mindset 30:47 Math Meets Wonder 32:33 Saros Series Visualized 34:17 Eclipse Patterns Over Millennia 40:34 Sharing Sky Guides 42:44 Midnight Sun and Auroras 44:53 Solar Cycle 25 Update 46:25 Perseids After Totality 49:02 Eclipse Myths Debunked 50:09 Delta T Shifts Totality 56:29 Wrap Up and Thanks https://www.timeanddate.com/ https://www.timeanddate.com/company/by/anne-buckle https://www.timeanddate.com/company/by/graham-jones Saros 126 Animated Gif: https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEsarosanimate/126.gif Saros 126 (72 eclipses 1179CE - 2459CE): https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEsaros/SEsaros126.html Leticia Ferrer's site:  https://texassolareclipses.com/ Host Chris Chotas Alexander's Site https://www.chotachrome.com/ IG: @chotachrome Totality Talks is created by Leticia Ferrer and Chris Chotas Alexander.   Totality Talks is produced by Chris Chotas Alexander.

In this episode, we are speaking with Nacho Perez, The Director of Galáctica (the Center for the Observation and Dissemination of Astronomy in Teruel, Spain).  He is an astronomer and science communicator, coming into Astronomy through Art.  Galaticia is nominated as the European Museum of the year, and hosts many public outreach astronomy events which I was fortunate to attend last year.   He shares what the Galáctica center is doing for the August 12 2026, Total Solar Eclipse, how he got into his role as the Director and other items about Spain and this year's Total Solar Eclipse.  Links: https://galactica.org.es/en/eclipse-experience/ Instagram: @nachopereztorrejon  Leticia Ferrer's site:  https://texassolareclipses.com/ Host Chris Chotas Alexander's Site https://www.chotachrome.com/ IG: @chotachrome Totality Talks is created by Leticia Ferrer and Chris Chotas Alexander.   Totality Talks is produced by Chris Chotas Alexander.

In this episode we have part 1 of a  2 parter focusing on Spain 2026.   Part one is our interview with Tania Uhlig from Comboi Spain travel. She joins from Spain to chat all things eclipse España!  Time is getting short before the next event... book your travel before things start getting strange! Part 2 is with Nacho Pérez of Galactica (Spain) with Tania as translator... publishing very soon! https://www.instagram.com/comboispain/ Leticia Ferrer's site:  https://texassolareclipses.com/ Host Chris Chotas Alexander's Site https://www.chotachrome.com/ IG: @chotachrome Totality Talks is created by Leticia Ferrer and Chris Chotas Alexander.   Totality Talks is produced by Chris Chotas Alexander.

In this episode, we welcome Dr. Angela Speck. Professor of astrophysics and the chair of the Department of Physics and Astronomy at University of Texas San Antonio.  She’s wanted to become an astronaut since she was 5 years old. While not scheduled to fly, she continues to vigorously study the untold secrets of the cosmos. The English-born professor has become a leading eclipse expert, having first helped prepare the U.S. public and media for the total solar eclipses that took place in 2017 and 2024.   We welcome Angela to the podcast! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angela_Speck https://sciences.utsa.edu/spotlights/faculty/2019/angela-speck.html Video version! https://share.descript.com/view/yz8xMdoKyca Leticia Ferrer's site:  https://texassolareclipses.com/ Host Chris Chotas Alexander's Site https://www.chotachrome.com/ IG: @chotachrome Totality Talks is created by Leticia Ferrer and Chris Chotas Alexander.   Totality Talks is produced by Chris Chotas Alexander.

Welcome back to Totality Talks! In this episode, we chat with the authors of the new book The Eclipse Effect:  How to seize extraordinary moments to build strong communities. We welcome back, from the UK Jamie Carter. He is the foremost solar eclipse journalist - regular contributor to Forbes.com,  space.com and editor of whenisthenexteclipse.com He co-authors the book with Debra Ross… from Rochester, NY, she is publisher and CEO of KidsOutAndAbout.com .  She has also served as co-chair of the American Astronomical Society’s Solar Eclipse Task Force. Debra is an entrepreneur, and advocate for community engagement, independent learning, and curiosity-driven exploration. We now have our podcast in video format and are working to get our show distributed across YouTube, Spotify, and Rumble. https://share.descript.com/view/miN9djSdHVw Leticia Ferrer's site:  https://texassolareclipses.com/ Host Chris Chotas Alexander's Site https://www.chotachrome.com/ IG: @chotachrome Totality Talks is created by Leticia Ferrer and Chris Chotas Alexander.   Totality Talks is produced by Chris Chotas Alexander.

In this episode we chat with FB Eclipse Travel and Discussion group founder and eclipse chasing traveler, Janine Frances from Pennsylvania. We chat about eclipses past and the annular eclipse over Easter Island in October of 2024... and of course, we chat about the coming total solar eclipses.  My audio file was corrupted for the last 3rd of the episode... I do believe the context works out after some creative editing. Regards, Chris Total Eclipses of the Sun by Mabel Loomis Todd (1894): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1165151987/ref=ox_sc_act_image_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1 Leticia Ferrer's site:  https://texassolareclipses.com/ Host Chris Chotas Alexander's Site https://www.chotachrome.com/ IG: @chotachrome Totality Talks is created by Leticia Ferrer and Chris Chotas Alexander.   Totality Talks is produced by Chris Chotas Alexander.

Welcome back to Totality Talks… it has been exactly one year since the Great American Eclipse of April 8, 2024. We are officially off of our hiatus! Only 491 days to go until the next total solar eclipse. In this episode we are doing our first fan interview. Ken and Megan Keifer from Mooresville, Indiana reached out to us  last summer after Ken saw his 2nd and Megan saw her 1st!  Recently, Ken’s waterfall photography was featured on US postage stamps. They share their stories with us and we share ours with them.   Find Ken's work here: https://kennethkeifer.smugmug.com/ Leticia Ferrer's site:  https://texassolareclipses.com/ Host Chris Chotas Alexander's Site https://www.chotachrome.com/ IG: @chotachrome Totality Talks is created by Leticia Ferrer and Chris Chotas Alexander.   Totality Talks is produced by Chris Chotas Alexander.

Welcome back from our post eclipse hiatus!  In this episode we chat with British Astronomical Association's Mike Frost.... he shares  book, Eclipse and Revelation: Total Solar Eclipses In Science, History, Literature, and the Arts. We chat about eclipses past and future total solar eclipses. He also shares stories that include such shenanigans as breaking into a cemetery with Jay Passachoff to see the grave of Sir Edmond Halley. Meet Mike Frost: https://britastro.org/section_information_/historical-section-overview/meet-the-section-director Get the book!: https://www.amazon.com/Eclipse-Revelation-Eclipses-Science-Literature/dp/0192857991 Astro Trails UK: https://www.astro-trails.com/ Leticia Ferrer's site:  https://texassolareclipses.com/ Host Chris Chotas Alexander's Site https://www.chotachrome.com/ IG: @chotachrome Totality Talks is created by Leticia Ferrer and Chris Chotas Alexander.   Totality Talks is produced by Chris Chotas Alexander.

Welcome back to Totality Talks!   In this episode, we continue to bask in the afterglow of the 2024 total eclipse.  We have an interesting virgin no more this time around as we chat with an astrophysicist that saw her first total solar eclipse on April 8.  We have physics and astronomy professor from Dallas College Richland Campus - Dr. Heather Appleby.  Dallas College Richland Campus: https://www.dallascollege.edu/about/rlc/pages/default.aspx Heather's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-appleby-940a082a Leticia Ferrer's site:  https://texassolareclipses.com/ Host Chris Chotas Alexander's Site https://www.chotachrome.com/ IG: @chotachrome Totality Talks is created by Leticia Ferrer and Chris Chotas Alexander.   Totality Talks is produced by Chris Chotas Alexander.