We Earthlings are quite fortunate when it comes to eclipses. Most planets don’t have a large enough moon to create a total solar eclipse. Our moon, however, is just the right size and distance. By sheer coincidence, the sun is about 400 times farther from us than the moon and also about 400 times larger in diameter—resulting in the perfect alignment that makes our eclipses especially breathtaking.

There are about 70 total solar eclipses each century, with each one casting a narrow path of complete sun blockage. For most of history, there was no way to predict when or where they would occur. Only the very fortunate few who happened to be in the right place, at the right time, with the right weather, could witness a total solar eclipse. I live in Atlantic Canada, specifically in New Brunswick, and I feel incredibly lucky to have experienced one. The event was truly distinctive and unforgettable.

Image courtesy of Unsplash & Personal Archive April 08, 2024