Monday, April 8, may as well be declared a national holiday. People are taking off work and have traveled from around the world to be in the path of totality for the total solar eclipse that will make its way across North America. All eyes will be on the sky—hopefully with protective eyewear of some sort.
Eclipse Across America
Even if you don’t live in the path of totality and didn’t make vacation plans to be there, though, you will still have an opportunity to experience the eclipse. National Geographic and ABC News have teamed up to create a mesmerizing live event titled “Eclipse Across America.”
This remarkable broadcast aims to bring the rare spectacle of a total solar eclipse right into the homes of at least 32 million viewers across the nation, a celestial event that will not occur again in the United States until 2044. Anchored by ABC News’ David Muir and Linsey Davis from Burlington, Vermont, this two-hour special promises an unforgettable viewing experience across multiple platforms, including ABC, ABC News Live, National Geographic Channel, Nat Geo WILD, Disney+, Hulu, and various social media platforms.
The event will feature a stellar lineup of National Geographic talent, including Mariana van Zeller, Cristina Mittermeier, Babak Tafreshi, Jedidah Isler, and Ved Chirayath, who will provide insights on how to safely observe and photograph the eclipse while diving into the science and history behind this astronomical phenomenon. With live reporting from 10 cities along the path of 100% totality—from Mazatlán, Mexico, to Houlton, Maine—the broadcast hopes to share the eclipse’s breathtaking journey across North America.
Insights From Babak
I spoke with Babak Tafreshi, renowned for his work in astrophotography, about this epic event. The first thing I wanted to know was, “What’s the big deal?” Don’t get me wrong, I am enthralled by astronomy and the universe and I always want to view any eclipse I can. But it seems like we have eclipses all the time—so why is the whole world freaking out about this one?
The short version, according to Babak is simple: “Experiencing a partial eclipse—even a 99% partial eclipse—is a totally different thing than totality.”
He described viewing a near-total eclipse like watching a football game from outside the stadium, and explained that the last ray of sunlight—just that last 1% during a 99% partial eclipse—is still enough to create a daytime environment.
“While in totality, you have the actual darkness,” he explained. “You will see planets and see stars. You will see phenomena such as the solar corona, diamond ring, Bailey’s Beads, the shadow bands, the shadow cone approach—and none of them happen in even the deepest partial eclipse.”
Viewing The Eclipse
You may be familiar with eclipse glasses. The special glasses are designed to enable you to look directly at an eclipse—although the duration should still be limited. But, what about a total eclipse?
Babak noted that you have to remove the protective glasses to see anything in a total eclipse because it will be completely dark. You won’t see anything at all with the glasses on.
He recommends removing the glasses just a couple of seconds before totality—when the diamond ring phenomenon occurs. He said some people are more conservative and wait to remove the protective glasses until after the diamond ring, but he emphasized that it is the most beautiful thing you can see during totality and you won’t be able to see it with the glasses.
As a professional astrophotographer, Babak also shared a few tips. He said the camera sensor will be safe about 20 seconds before totality. At that point, it’s ok to remove your filter and adjust your exposure settings to get the shot.
He stressed, though, that people taking photos with a DSLR not look through the physical viewer. Babak explained that DSLR camera users should use the digital display to frame the shots and never look through the eyepiece at the sun, even at 99% partial eclipse.
While you may feel compelled to capture some images of your own, it might be better to leave that to the professionals. The few minutes of eclipse may go by quickly, and if you spend the whole time trying to frame and capture photos, you will miss it.
Take the opportunity to just enjoy the spectacle firsthand. Babak pointed out that the human eye has a much better dynamic range than any camera today—even with current technology. “So, you can see all of these streamers coming out of the solar corona, prominences and everything. It’s an experience that I highly recommend.
Front Row Seat
“Eclipse Across America” is not just an opportunity to witness a rare astronomical event but also a chance to experience the unity and wonder such a spectacle brings. As Tafreshi points out, the event is a powerful reminder of the beauty and mysteries of the cosmos, offering a moment of awe and a break from the ordinary. The collaboration between Nat Geo and ABC News leverages over a century of storytelling expertise and trusted news reporting to create a viewing experience that promises to be as educational as it is thrilling.
I am sure it will be an amazing event for those who are in the path of totality to see it in person, but watching “Eclipse Across America” will be a close second. In fact, in many ways, it will be better. In the same way that actually being at an NFL Super Bowl is an epic experience, but watching the game from the comfort of home comes with a variety of advantages. You get multiple camera angles and close-ups along with expert commentary, and you can watch in your pajamas and grab a Coke from the fridge any time you like.
No matter where or how you watch it, though, the moon will blot out the sun to some extent for most of the hemisphere. Those outside the band of totality will still experience a significant partial eclipse. But, as Babak pointed out, it’s just not the same at all.
With extensive coverage planned across Disney’s platforms, “Eclipse Across America” invites viewers to be part of a communal experience, encouraging them to share their own moments and observations using the hashtag #EclipseAcrossAmerica. This event promises not only to bring the spectacle of the eclipse to viewers everywhere but also to highlight the profound impact such celestial events can have on our perspective of the world and our place within the cosmos.
