Your use of this site is contingent on your understanding and agreement that you have read this link, you agree with its contents, and you will comply with all the rules of common sense and well established protocols for eye safety when observing any solar phenomenon.
"Mr. Eclipse" Co-author of NASA eclipse bulletins Author of many technical and educational books on eclipses Expert at eclipse calculations
Photographer for the US Postal Service's commemorative eclipse stamp!
Astronomer, University of Arizona Studies exoplanets using the Hubble Space Telescope Creator of UMBRAPHILE and eFLIGHT software Tied for having seen the most total eclipses in the world!
Senior Editor, Sky & Telescope Magazine
Senior Editor, Astronomy Magazine
Advanced amateur eclipse chaser! Retired Park Ranger, US National Parks Service
Physician Advanced amateur eclipse chaser!
World's leading eclipse meteorologist! Co-author of NASA eclipse bulletins
Professor of Astronomy, Williams College (Massachusetts) Author of many eclipse- and astronomy-related books Tied for having seen the most total eclipses in the world! Author of the Peterson Field Guide to the Stars and Planets
Owner of Rainbow Symphony Has produced millions of eclipse glasses conforming to all worldwide safety standards
Professor of Applied Mathematics, University of Brno (Czech Republic) World's pre-eminent eclipse photographer Works closely with Dr. Habbal
Webmaster of GreatAmericanEclipse.com World's pre-eminent eclipse mapmaker/cartographer Hosts www.eclipse-maps.com - a leading resource for historical eclipse maps
Professor Emeritus of Optometry, University of Waterloo (Ontario) Author of the ISO standard governing solar viewing glasses World's pre-eminent researcher and author on eclipse eye safety
Professor of Astronomy, University of Hawaii Researcher in the field of Solar Physics - with emphasis on the corona Works closely with Dr. Druckmüller
Expert on eclipse outreach and community organization Organized safe viewing for thousands during the 2012 eclipse in Australia Author of leading community planning and educational eclipse viewing guides
Creator of Google Interactive eclipse maps Author of Solar Eclipse Maestro software Member of the IAU's Working Group on Solar Eclipses
How many total eclipses have you seen?
Let's find out just how experienced our panelists are, when it comes to seeing total eclipses! And remember, these counts are as of 2014 - many of these experts have added one or two to the totals that they're telling you about!
Fred Espenak
Oh, I think I've been to 25 now, and I think I've seen about 20.
That makes you a veteran for sure! Thanks, Fred!
Glenn Schneider
Well, I've been in the path of 31 total eclipses [ed: it is 33 as of 2017]; I've been clouded out three and a half times. So, seeing is not quite the same thing! I've been enveloped by the Moon's shadow 31 times, but I've actually seen totality three times less than that. I count the half that I saw, which was a partial cloud-out in China in 2009.
And by the time our audience reads this, you've made it to 33 - simply incredible! Thanks, Glenn!
Jay Anderson
Ah, well, annulars and totals are… I think they're close to 27, I don't know. Within, say, plus or minus one or two.
Jay Anderson
Ah, totals, um… I'm not sure of the exact number, I think it's 16 or 17.
I wish I'd seen so many, I could lose count!
Ralph Chou
At this point, I've now notched 22 solar eclipses - and of those, 17 were total and 3 were annulars.
Very respectable, indeed!
Joel Moskowitz
Uh, let's see - 16?
Wow! More than me, and we started with the same one!
Xavier Jubier
Number I have seen - good question. I don't even know, let's say more than 10?
Xavier Jubier
15 totals, 8 annulars.
At least that many, I think! Thanks, Xavier!
Jim Rosenstock
I've seen about 10 of these things, you know - so I'm obsessed.
You and me both!
Kelly Beatty
Seen 7. Been clouded out on three. I guess technically, I experienced an eclipse - I just didn't see it.
That has happened to the best of us!
Michael Bakich
I have been to 13 total solar eclipses, and I've seen 12 of them.
Another veteran, for sure!
Michael Zeiler
I've seen six totals and three annulars.
Nice!
Jay Pasachoff
By now, I have seen 59 eclipses, of which 31 were total [ed: it is 33 as of 2017]. And I've started going to all the eclipses - total, annular and partial.
Simply astounding!
Terry Cuttle
Uh - 13!
Short and sweet - and an amazing tally, given that you have had to travel long distances for all but three of them!
Dr. Miloslav Druckmüller
I have exactly seen five eclipses, and twice I was unsuccessful.
Mark Margolis
Like, 6 totals - and then 2 or 3 annulars, a bunch of partials...
Well, now we know how experienced our panel is! Let's move on now, to what got these individuals started on a lifetime of eclipse-chasing! Let's hear about their very first total eclipse experience!
