In ancient China, a solar eclipse signaled that the sun was being devoured by a dragon, according to the Smithsonian Magazine.
The Inca saw solar eclipses as a sign of the sun god’s displeasure and would please him with sacrifices.
Though we understand the science behind it now, for some, the intrigue hasn’t worn off.
A total solar eclipse will happen in parts of North America on April 8 and Medicine Hat’s Lukas Gornisiewicz is going to track it down.
“It’s a really an unearthly type of wonder to see in the sky. It only happens once every 18 months and once you see one you’re totally hooked and you want to go see the next one in the next one,” Gornisiewicz told CHAT News.
Gornisiewicz has been an ‘eclipse chaser’ since 2006.
Gornisiewicz photographing the total solar eclipse in Australia 2012Since then, he has been to 10 total eclipses in nine different countries.
“It’s your ticket to see other countries and meeting different people, different cultures,” said Gornisiewicz.
Gornisiewicz signing total solar eclipse painting Indonesia 2016This year, Gornisiewicz is in Texas to view the total solar eclipse, where the moon passes between the sun and earth, entirely blocking the sun’s light.
The path of totality stretches from Mexico’s west coast, across much of the United States, into the southwestern corner of Ontario and parts of the maritimes.
Gornisiewicz says if you have the means to travel to the path of totality, it is totally worth it.
“The last five minutes is almost just as great as totality because all this stuff happens. It starts getting dark, the wind picks up, so it’s cooled down because the shadow of the moon is approaching. It’s just pretty phenomenal,” Gornisiewicz explained.
Diamond ring effect – total solar eclipse 2019Here in Medicine, we will only see a partial solar eclipse.
However, Ahmed Ibrahim, a member of the Medicine Hat Astronomy Club, is still excited to see the phenomenon.
“Even if you feel that it’s not something that you’re interested in, in you know, 10, 15 years, if you did it, especially with your loved ones, you’re still going to remember that moment,” said Ibrahim.
The first time Ibrahim ever saw a total solar eclipse, in 1990, is still burned in his memory.
“I was 11 years old. I was in Egypt. My dad took the film cameras, the old film cameras, and cut it, put it in cardboard, and there you go. That was our solar glasses for that time,” he said.
Total solar eclipses appear about every 18 months somewhere on the planet, but if you’re not chasing them down like Gornisiewicz, you may be lucky to see it just once in your lifetime.
In Canada, we won’t see another total eclipse until 2044.
But when it does come, Hatters will be right on the path of totality.
“It’s just enjoyable to watch. It’s really educational. It gets people outside and see the wonders of the world,” Gornisiewicz said.
To view the partial solar eclipse in Medicine Hat, make sure you have solar eclipse glasses and never look at it with your naked eye.
The eclipse will start at 11:47 a.m. in Medicine Hat and reach maximum coverage at 12:45 p.m.
