Stephen Bedingfield from Yellowknife, inspired by a 2003 broadcast of a total solar eclipse over Antarctica, made a decision to pursue witnessing every eclipse possible. Currently in Spain with his wife, he is chasing his 13th total solar eclipse, which marks his 23rd eclipse when including partial ones. The event is estimated to last around two minutes.
Bedingfield compared the experience of witnessing a total solar eclipse to seeing iconic natural wonders like the Great Barrier Reef, Niagara Falls, and Mount Everest simultaneously in one place at a single moment. He emphasized the uniqueness and grandeur of such an event, stating that there is nothing quite like it.
While a total solar eclipse is set to occur this week over Greenland, Iceland, Spain, northern Russia, and a small portion of Portugal, Canada will only have the opportunity to witness a partial solar eclipse, where the moon will partially obscure the sun.
Expressing his awe for the celestial phenomenon, Bedingfield highlighted the perfect alignment of the sun, moon, and Earth during a solar eclipse, creating a mesmerizing spectacle that showcases the wonders of the solar system.
Having traveled extensively as an eclipse chaser, Bedingfield has connected with a community of like-minded individuals who share his passion for eclipses. He described the eclipse-chasing community as a tribe that gathers at almost every eclipse, adding to the excitement of the experience and providing opportunities to explore different cultures and meet new people.
Bedingfield mentioned that apart from the brief duration of the eclipse itself, part of the allure lies in observing how the environment undergoes significant changes. He noted that temperatures can drop rapidly, bird behavior alters, and the overall surroundings transform during the eclipse, making it a truly immersive environmental experience.
To safely view the upcoming eclipse, Christa Van Laerhoven, the vice president of the Yukon Astronomical Society, advised using proper eye protection such as approved solar eclipse glasses or creating a pinhole projector at home using simple materials like an empty box, a white sheet of paper, and foil. Van Laerhoven also suggested using a leafy tree or leaves with holes as a natural pinhole projector.
Addressing common misconceptions, Van Laerhoven clarified that the sun is equally hazardous to observe during all times, emphasizing the importance of taking precautions and avoiding direct sunlight exposure, especially during a partial eclipse when the temptation to look directly at the sun might be stronger.