Totality Talks - The Solar Eclipse Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Ep#15 - Mike Frost - Eclipse & Revelation Sep 18, 2024

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/

Wild Times: Wildlife Education
Wildlife mysteries, crazy news, and daring animal stories—listen now!

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Safe Solar Viewing Glasses, Eclipse T-Shirts and swag
https://texassolareclipses.com/shop
Host Leticia Ferrer's Texas Eclipses Site
https://texassolareclipses.com/
Host Chris Chotas Alexander's Site
https://www.chotachrome.com/
IG: @chotachrome
Looking for an Eclipse Day Event - Leticia Ferrer will be at the
Cosmic Cowboy Eclipse Festival in Hillsboro Texas - 4 minutes 23 seconds of Totality
Also Check out Leticia Ferrer's Event's Page for Free Local (in Dallas) Events
https://texassolareclipses.com/upcoming-events/
Totality Talks is created by Leticia Ferrer and Chris Chotas Alexander.
Totality Talks is produced by Chris Chotas Alexander.

Ep#14 - Afterglow 2024! Pt.2 - Dr. Heather Appleby May 14, 2024

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

Wild Times: Wildlife Education
Wildlife mysteries, crazy news, and daring animal stories—listen now!

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Ep#13 - Afterglow 2024! Pt.1 - Janet Brenner, Laura Ivey, Daniel Brookshier Apr 25, 2024

YES! So, did you see it? Sounds like lucky holes were found …almost everywhere! Apologies for the delay.... eclipse elation and subsequent eclipse blues are real. We’ve been truckin along to April 8 and hope YOU got to see the total eclipse of the Sun! In this episode, we chat with 2 eclipse virgins no more: producers of the first total solar eclipse musical (based on David Baron’s book American Eclipse), Janet Brenner and Laura Ivey. They observed their first total solar eclipse and share their experiences with us. Leticia and I also share a little bit about our eclipse day 2024.
Also in this episode, we share some love from inside the shadow of the Moon. We'll spend part of our session with veteran eclipse chaser, Letica’s husband, Daniel Brookshier. Daniel tells us a bit about their encounter inside the umbra of the April 08, 2024 eclipse, marking HIS eighth rendezvous with totality. We nerd out about image and video capturing as we exchange notes on totality 2024.

Astronomy Without Borders:
https://astronomerswithoutborders.org/programs/solar-glasses-distribution

Instagram - American Eclipse Musical:
https://www.instagram.com/americaneclipsemusical/

Link to Daniel's Eclipse video:
https://www.facebook.com/TexasEclipses/posts/pfbid02CDab8hfwhtpN7ffJQ4fvz1JDseBqM6UcwkKeX6gpAGYE1tgHF6NezRhjKns94UVul

Solar Wind Sherpas:
https://project.ifa.hawaii.edu/solarwindsherpas/

Capture Eclipse:
https://almadenobservatory.net/CaptureEclipse/

Wild Times: Wildlife Education
Wildlife mysteries, crazy news, and daring animal stories—listen now!

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Ep#12 - The Shady Ladies - Observation Tips Apr 06, 2024

Eclipse chasers from around the world are arriving in the path of totality! In this BONUS episode, we chat about last minute eclipse prep and have a couple of surprise eclipse chaser guests joining us in the fun. we chat with 2 of The Shady Ladies, Sally Kilburn and Dr. Khati Hendry, observers of 14 total solar eclipses. They just arrived from British Columbia to observe the event. They join us from Leticia's House in Dallas.
Eclipse Day 2024 Checklist:
https://www.solareclipsetimer.com/docs/eclipsedaychecklist.pdf

Wild Times: Wildlife Education
Wildlife mysteries, crazy news, and daring animal stories—listen now!

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Ep#11 - Dr. Tyler Nordgren - Stars Above, Earth Below Apr 04, 2024

In this episode, we switch gears and talk about eclipse poster art! Commissioned by the national parks service to create "See America" posters and promote the dark skies of our national parks, we have the eclipse event poster art master, Tyler Nordgren. He is a former astronomy professor, dark sky ambassador, and artist that gave up his teaching career for art! Hope you enjoy or chat with Tyler.

Link to the Space Art Travel Bureau:
https://www.tylernordgren.com/
International Dark Sky Association:
https://darksky.org/
Betchart Expeditions:
https://betchartexpeditions.com/
Oceanwide Expeditions:
https://oceanwide-expeditions.com/

Wild Times: Wildlife Education
Wildlife mysteries, crazy news, and daring animal stories—listen now!

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Ep#10 - Jay Anderson - Climatology Turns To Weather Mar 29, 2024

This episode we chat with the premier eclipse climate and weather expert, Jay Anderson. He is the ultimate ‘clear skies guy’ as creator of eclipseophile.com, which is THE standard for eclipse trip planning. He has observed 34 solar eclipses including 24 total solar eclipses. Jay joins us remotely from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
At 10 days out from totality in 2024, we hear about his journey and listen to wise guidance as we transition from climate projections to weather models for the upcoming event.
“Dream, travel, explore… you only go around once.” -Jay Anderson
Link to Eclipsophile climatology and weather links:
https://eclipsophile.com/
Quick link to eclipse-day planning:
https://eclipsophile.com/eclipse-day-weather/
Jay's recent Sky & Telescope article:
https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/what-will-the-weather-be-on-the-day-of-the-total-solar-eclipse
Jay's "Q&A With An Expert" with Space.com:
https://www.space.com/total-solar-eclipse-weather-prospects-how-experts-make-predictions-q-and-a
The Eclipse Bulletin and Road Atlas (co-authored with Fred Espenak!):
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1941983448
https://www.mreclipse.com/pubs/Atlas2024.html
Weather model chart collection at weather.us (ECMWF, ICON, GFS, NAM, HRRR):
https://weather.us/model-charts
National Weather Service CPC long range forecasts:
https://www.weather.gov/hun/climateforecast
Windy app (people love it):
https://windy.app/blog/nam-vs-hrrr-weather-models.html
3d printable counterbalance bracket to hold bottles or cans (modable). Courtesy Preston Gregg:
https://www.tinkercad.com/things/3zDFQ4HI246-beer-can-counterweight-v03

Wild Times: Wildlife Education
Wildlife mysteries, crazy news, and daring animal stories—listen now!

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Ep#9 - Dr. Rick Fienberg - From Viking To Ikigai Mar 22, 2024

In this episode we chat with Dr. Richard Tresch Fienberg, astronomer and science communicator. He talks about his journey from JPL, to Sky and Telescope, and on to the American Astronomical Society. Of course, we chat about the total solar eclipse of April 8, 2024. He is now retired and serves as the head of the American Astronomical Society’s Solar Eclipse Task Force. Trained as a professional astronomer, he remains an amateur astronomer at heart. Rick joins us from his private observatory in central New Hampshire.
We apologize for the snaps and pops in the audio. It was cleaned up significantly and a newer version has been uploaded. If you take the automatic download, you can refresh your version if the pops are too annoying!
Dr. Richard Tresch Fineberg Bio:

https://aas.org/press/richard-tresch-fienberg

American Astronomical Society Solar Eclipse Task Force:

https://eclipse.aas.org/about-us

Rick’s Sky & Telescope Article On How Dark Does It Get:

https://skyandtelescope.org/2024-total-solar-eclipse/how-dark-does-it-get-during-a-total-solar-eclipse/

How to build a sun funnel (Rick Fienberg, Chuck Bueter, Louis A. Mayo):

https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/static/img/make-sun-funnel/Build_a_Sun_Funnel_v4.pdf

Ballreich’s Eclipse Chips:

https://www.ballreich.com/product/eclipsechipse/

Michael Zeiler Eclipse Site:

https://www.greatamericaneclipse.com

Wild Times: Wildlife Education
Wildlife mysteries, crazy news, and daring animal stories—listen now!

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Ep#8 - Dr. Gordon Telepun - Solar Eclipse Timer And More Mar 14, 2024

In this episode, we chat with creator of the essential solar eclipse timer app and author of the book Ecilpse Day 2024 And More. Expert eclipse enthusiast, eclipse photographer, and plastic surgeon… Dr. Gordon “Telepun”. Great info in this episode regarding Eclipse day 2024!

Solar Eclipse Timer app:
https://www.solareclipsetimer.com/
Eclipse Day 2024 And More Book:
https://389141.e-junkie.com/product/1749412
https://books.google.com/books?id=YCBnEAAAQBAJ&printsec=copyright#v=onepage&q&f=false
Brief synopsis of the book:
https://astronomytechnologytoday.com/2022/04/18/eclipse-day-2024-and-more/
Sky-Watcher USA Webcast:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7lMTJIfk4w
Sharp and Fuzzy Shadows Experiment:
https://www.solareclipsetimer.com/docs/SharpandFuzzyShadowArticle.pdf
Going To The Sun intro music by The Harmony Theory:
https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-harmony-theory/392843088
Background music by Nigel Stanford:
https://music.apple.com/us/artist/nigel-stanford/983632899

Wild Times: Wildlife Education
Wildlife mysteries, crazy news, and daring animal stories—listen now!

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Ep#7 - Jamie Carter - Eclipse Journalist Mar 07, 2024

In this episode we chat remotely with the world's only true eclipse journalist, Jamie Carter. He is based in the UK and writes articles daily that appear in Forbes.com, Space.com, Sky&Telescope, and more. He is also the creator of the website When Is The Next Eclipse https://whenisthenexteclipse.com/. We take a trip around the globe and chat about his experiences, writings, and favorite resources regarding total solar eclipses. Of course, we chat about the coming total solar eclipse of April 8, 2024.
He provides several incredibly helpful resources listed below!:
Jay Anderson's climatology and weather for celestial events:
https://eclipsophile.com/
Time and Date site:
https://www.timeanddate.com/
Dedicated site for the 2024 eclipse:
https://eclipse2024.org

The Eclipse Company:
https://theeclipse.company
Map of Nope Article at Forbes.com:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamiecartereurope/2024/03/19/why-every-american-needs-to-see-the-map-of-nope-meme-before-april-8s-total-solar-eclipse/?sh=b3a74b457252

Festival Guides and Reviews:
https://festivalguidesandreviews.com

Great resource at National Eclipse:
https://nationaleclipse.com
Link to the post with the picture of us with our “Eclipse Globe”: https://texassolareclipses.com/our-interview-with-jamie-carter/
Link to video of the group that played during totality on the Faroe Islands in 2015... now that's what we call a "lucky hole!":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=feR12pQ8dXc

Wild Times: Wildlife Education
Wildlife mysteries, crazy news, and daring animal stories—listen now!

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Ep#6 - David Baron - American Eclipse Feb 19, 2024

In this episode we chat with science writer, author, and eclipse evangelist David Baron.
We have a fascinating conversation about the total solar eclipse experience, world travels, and the total solar eclipse of 1878 across America.
Link to David’s must see TedX talk:
https://youtu.be/cgxZ4H3gJ8c?si=VXYegDHFT9DJcit7
Link to David’s book American Eclipse: A Nation's Epic Race to Catch the Shadow of the Moon and Win the Glory of the World
https://amzn.to/3OSuKlL
Songs from the coming American Eclipse musical to debut at Baylor:
https://wacotrib.com/news/local/history/songs-from-eclipse-themed-musical-to-debut-at-baylor-ahead-of-april-8-total-eclipse/article_4eaef400-a0e1-11ee-af29-c7eda4d7d63e.html
Clear Skies!

Wild Times: Wildlife Education
Wildlife mysteries, crazy news, and daring animal stories—listen now!

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Ep#5 - Dr. Kate Russo - Ineffable (Part 2) Feb 02, 2024

In part 2 of our fascinating conversation with Dr. Kate Russo, we continue on about the ineffable. We also chat about community planning and eclipse chasing in general.
Kate is a native of Queensland, Australia and has authored pioneering books on the psychology of total solar eclipses including Total Addiction and Being In The Shadow.
Dr. Kate Russo - Being In The Shadow
https://beingintheshadow.com/
Amazon link to her books:
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Kate-Russo/author/B00871EJ6K?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true#:~:text=Dr%20Kate%20Russo%20is%20an,a%20period%20of%2017%20years.
How Chasing Eclipses Opened Me Up To The Awe Of Living
https://aeon.co/ideas/how-chasing-solar-eclipses-opened-me-up-to-the-awe-of-living
American Paperwear
https://ampaperwear.com/

Wild Times: Wildlife Education
Wildlife mysteries, crazy news, and daring animal stories—listen now!

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Ep#4 - Dr. Kate Russo - Ineffable (Part 1) Jan 24, 2024

In this episode, we get to chat with clinical psychologist, eclipse chaser, and community planner extraordinaire, Dr. Kate Russo. She is a native of Queensland, Australia and has authored pioneering books on the psychology of total solar eclipses including Total Addiction and Being In The Shadow.
Our conversation will be split into 2 episodes as we dive into the "ineffable" wonder of totality. How do you describe an experience for which there are no words? Dr. Kate shares her approach to researching this very concept.
Dr. Kate Russo - Being In The Shadow
https://beingintheshadow.com/
Amazon link to her books:
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Kate-Russo/author/B00871EJ6K?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true#:~:text=Dr%20Kate%20Russo%20is%20an,a%20period%20of%2017%20years.
Fred Espenak Fan Fest!:
https://astropixels.com/main/espenak.html
American Paperwear
https://ampaperwear.com/

Wild Times: Wildlife Education
Wildlife mysteries, crazy news, and daring animal stories—listen now!

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Ep#3 - Allan Aldworth - Aussie First Timer Jan 07, 2024

This episode we catch up with a new friend we met in Exmouth, Western Australia just after the total solar eclipse of 2023. Allan Aldworth is a co-host of then morning radio show Hit Breakfast (WA) and observed his first TSE this last April. He joins us remotely and shares his experiences with us today as we chat about eclipse day, Perth, and the little town of Exmouth. Our talk also covers:
- The first time experience
- Exmouth's community preparations
- Planning for the next 4 Australian Eclipses
As mentioned in this episode the other upcoming Total Solar Eclipses in Australia are:

July 22, 2028
November 25, 2030
July 13, 2037
December 26, 2038

Path of 4/20/23!:
https://whenisthenexteclipse.com/four-years-today-there-will-a-spectacular-solar-eclipse-in-western-australia/
Once again, we kindly ask that you excuse our mess. We had some mic issues with Leticia's rig and her audio is distorted in segment 2 between 11:00 and 24:00. We got it fixed for the last segment, so it's a victory! This is still a first-timer podcast construction zone. Regards. Clear Skies!
Hit Breakfast with Allan and Carly
https://www.hit.com.au/shows/allan-and-carly
Hit Breakfast Bonus Podcast: Why People Plan Their Lives Around Eclipses
https://omny.fm/shows/hit-wa-breakfast/bonus-podcast-why-people-plan-their-lives-around-e
Links to Allan & Carly on the LiSTNR app:
https://omny.fm/shows/hit-wa-breakfast/playlists/allan-michelle-listnr
IG: @hitfmwa @allanaldworth

Wild Times: Wildlife Education
Wildlife mysteries, crazy news, and daring animal stories—listen now!

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Ep#2 - Fred Espenak - Mr. Eclipse Dec 07, 2023

This episode we have the honor of chatting with retired NASA Goddard Space Flight Center astrophysicist Fred Espenak. Known as “Mr. Eclipse”, Fred has authored over 20 books related to eclipse prediction, eclipse observation, and eclipse photography. He has traveled to all 7 continents to observe total eclipses of the Sun and witnessed 30 total solar eclipses, 11 annular solar eclipses and 9 partial solar eclipses. He's spent almost an hour and half inside the umbral shadow. Today, we chat (remotely) and listen to Fred’s tales from the road en route to chasing totality. We talk about his first eclipse experience and explore his path of authoring canons, guides, and manuals for eclipse observation.
Fred Espenak's Eclipsewise:
https://www.eclipsewise.com/

David Baron's Ted Talk (You owe it to yourself to experience a total solar eclipse):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgxZ4H3gJ8c
The book Totality: The Great North American Eclipse of 2024 2nd Edition by Mark Littmann and Fred Espenak: https://amzn.to/417qnbD
In this episode we discuss Fred Espenak and Jean Meeus, "Bible of Solar Eclipses"
Five Millennium Canon of Solar Eclipses: Volume 1: -1999 to 0 by Fred Espenak and Jean Meeus: https://amzn.to/3uVm9HN

Five Millennium Canon of Solar Eclipses: Volume 2: 1 to 3000 Fred Espenak and Jean Meeus: -https://amzn.to/46LWkas
As mentioned in the episode, the April 08 2024 Total Solar Eclipse will be Fred's 4th eclipse of Saros 139. His first eclipse was March 7, 1970 of the same Saros. For more on Saros, read Fred's article in Sky and Telescope:
Fred Espenak, November 20, 2023, How Did The Ancients Predict Eclipses? The SAROS Cycle: https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/how-did-the-ancients-predicted-eclipses-the-saros-cycle/
Or check out Fred Espenak's Eclipsewise Saros Page: https://www.eclipsewise.com/solar/SEhelp/SEsaros.html
Also, check out Fred Espenak's Author Page on Amazon:

Wild Times: Wildlife Education
Wildlife mysteries, crazy news, and daring animal stories—listen now!

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Ep#1 - Get In The Path Nov 07, 2023

The first episode of Totality Talks! We introduce ourselves and get acquainted with the podcast concept. We also begin to guide listeners into the path and discuss the true awe of totality. We are working on our microphone issues and ask for your understanding and patience.
There are a few small content errors in this podcast... that's why we will be interviewing experts! We will also be utilizing the “wrong” buzzer when warranted. Clear skies!

What creates a total solar eclipse? TED-ED
https://youtu.be/Qog18tiNnqg?si=THSMOmmwiF51c7i8
How solar and lunar eclipses work
https://youtu.be/oNH3akWXaV8?si=hhblWbd1hCkZWQSJ
Sponsor - American Paper Wear Solar Eclipse Glasses
https://ampaperwear.com/
Solar Eclipses Interactive Google Map courtesy of Xavier M Jubier
http://xjubier.free.fr/en/site_pages/solar_eclipses/TSE_2024_GoogleMapFull.html
Dr. Gordon Telepun’s Solar Eclipse Timer
https://www.solareclipsetimer.com/
NEW Prediction of Solar Maximum (Space.com)
https://www.space.com/solar-maximum-expected-2024-new-predictions-suggest
Weather prospects for 2024 and many future solar eclipses can be found at Jay Anderson's site: https://eclipsophile.com/2024tse/
“Solar Echoes” and “Automatica” music created by Nigel Stanford.