When the Sun Played Hide and Seek: A Solar Eclipse Adventure

Ah, March 20, 2015—the day the sun decided to take a little vacation and play hide and seek with the Earth! Talk about dramatic!

While most of us were groggily sipping our morning coffee and questioning our life choices, parts of Europe were busy being bathed in an unforgettable total solar eclipse!

Now, before you think I’m just moonlighting as an astronomy buff, let me take you to the moment when NASA’s Terra satellite, that overachieving snooper in the sky, swept by the Arctic Ocean at a bright-and-early 10:45 UTC (which we Earthlings like to call 6:45 a.m. EDT). That clever little gadget captured the eclipse’s shadow gracefully pirouetting over the clouds, leaving many of us on the ground wishing we could have the same—minus the high-tech machinery, of course!

But let’s not forget about our friends in northern Africa and northern Asia who had the joy of witnessing a partial solar eclipse. Can you imagine them gazing up in awe, sunglasses on, coffee in hand, squinting at the sky and saying, “Is it Monday again? What’s with this odd light?”

Chasing the elusive shadow of celestial objects can be a bit like trying to catch a cat wearing a spacesuit—challenging and slightly absurd. As the moon slowly glided over the sun, it was a beautiful reminder that even the most brilliant star needs a break sometimes. Maybe it was just tired of shining bright and wanted to take an extended brunch break!

In true eclipse spirit, many folks gathered outdoors, equipped with the latest in scientific eyewear (a.k.a cardboard boxes with holes, or good ol’ solar glasses) ready to witness this cosmic spectacle. And let’s be honest; it’s an incredible feeling to look up and see the sun unceremoniously blocked by the moon—like that one friend who always manages to overshadow you at parties. The moon was probably whispering, “Don’t worry, Sun. I’ll let you shine again in a bit!”

With every glance up, people were filled with excitement—and let’s not forget those lovely hashtags on social media that accompanied each Instagram snap. #Eclipse #SunIsOnVacation #SorryNotSorryToYourSunburn.

So, as we reminisce about that unforgettable morning five years ago when the sun played hard to get, let’s raise a coffee cup (sorry, tea drinkers) to celestial events. Why? Because they remind us not only of the awe-inspiring wonders of our universe but also of the glorious moments when we all collectively squint and say, “What the heck is going on up there?”

Next time an eclipse rolls around, remember to mark March 20 on your calendar—your future self will thank you for the excuse to wear funky glasses and take a break from your adulting responsibilities for a few minutes. Happy sky-watching!

Image via NASA https://ift.tt/YKEpXhO