Totality Talks - The Solar Eclipse Podcast

Leticia Ferrer and Chris Alexander

Join us as we delve into the captivating world of total solar eclipses, bringing you exclusive interviews with eclipse experts and enthusiasts.  We talk about the science, history, and cultural significance of these awe-inspiring celestial events. Tune in to unravel the wonders of the universe and discover the magic of these extraordinary phenomena. Whether you're a seasoned astronomer or a curious observer, this podcast is a gateway to understanding the beauty and importance of total solar eclipses.

Gathered from the far sides of Earth, experiences about the joys of totality will be shared by Leticia and Chris.

Clear Skies!

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Episodes

Ep#13 - Afterglow 2024! Pt.1 - Janet Brenner, Laura Ivey, Daniel Brookshier
Apr 25 2024
Ep#13 - Afterglow 2024! Pt.1 - Janet Brenner, Laura Ivey, Daniel Brookshier
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/Safe Solar Viewing Glasses, Eclipse T-Shirts and swag https://texassolareclipses.com/shopHost Leticia Ferrer's Texas Eclipses Site https://texassolareclipses.com/Host Chris Chotas Alexander's Sitehttps://www.chotachrome.com/IG: @chotachromeLooking 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) Eventshttps://texassolareclipses.com/upcoming-events/Totality Talks is created by Leticia Ferrer and Chris Chotas Alexander. Totality Talks is produced by Chris Chotas Alexander.
Ep#10 - Jay Anderson - Climatology Turns To Weather
Mar 29 2024
Ep#10 - Jay Anderson - Climatology Turns To Weather
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-eclipseJay's "Q&A With An Expert" with Space.com:https://www.space.com/total-solar-eclipse-weather-prospects-how-experts-make-predictions-q-and-aThe Eclipse Bulletin and Road Atlas (co-authored with Fred Espenak!):https://www.amazon.com/dp/1941983448https://www.mreclipse.com/pubs/Atlas2024.html Weather model chart collection at weather.us (ECMWF, ICON, GFS, NAM, HRRR):https://weather.us/model-chartsNational Weather Service CPC long range forecasts:https://www.weather.gov/hun/climateforecastWindy app (people love it):https://windy.app/blog/nam-vs-hrrr-weather-models.html3d printable counterbalance bracket to hold bottles or cans (modable).  Courtesy Preston Gregg:https://www.tinkercad.com/things/3zDFQ4HI246-beer-can-counterweight-v03Safe Solar Viewing Glasses, Eclipse T-Shirts and swag https://texassolareclipses.com/shopHost Leticia Ferrer's Texas Eclipses Site https://texassolareclipses.com/Host Chris Chotas Alexander's Sitehttps://www.chotachrome.com/IG: @chotachromeLooking 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) Eventshttps://texassolareclipses.com/upcoming-events/Totality Talks is created by Leticia Ferrer and Chris Chotas Alexander. Totality Talks is produced by Chris Chotas Alexander.
Ep#9 - Dr. Rick Fienberg - From Viking To Ikigai
Mar 22 2024
Ep#9 - Dr. Rick Fienberg - From Viking To Ikigai
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-fienbergAmerican Astronomical Society Solar Eclipse Task Force:https://eclipse.aas.org/about-usRick’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.pdfBallreich’s Eclipse Chips:https://www.ballreich.com/product/eclipsechipse/Michael Zeiler Eclipse Site:https://www.greatamericaneclipse.comSafe Solar Viewing Glasses, Eclipse T-Shirts and swag https://texassolareclipses.com/shopHost Leticia Ferrer's Texas Eclipses Site https://texassolareclipses.com/Host Chris Chotas Alexander's Sitehttps://www.chotachrome.com/IG: @chotachromeLooking 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) Eventshttps://texassolareclipses.com/upcoming-events/Totality Talks is created by Leticia Ferrer and Chris Chotas Alexander. Totality Talks is produced by Chris Chotas Alexander.
Ep#8 - Dr. Gordon Telepun - Solar Eclipse Timer And More
Mar 15 2024
Ep#8 - Dr. Gordon Telepun - Solar Eclipse Timer And More
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/1749412https://books.google.com/books?id=YCBnEAAAQBAJ&printsec=copyright#v=onepage&q&f=falseBrief 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=t7lMTJIfk4wSharp and Fuzzy Shadows Experiment:https://www.solareclipsetimer.com/docs/SharpandFuzzyShadowArticle.pdfGoing To The Sun intro music by The Harmony Theory:https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-harmony-theory/392843088Background music by Nigel Stanford:https://music.apple.com/us/artist/nigel-stanford/983632899Safe Solar Viewing Glasses, Eclipse T-Shirts and swag https://texassolareclipses.com/shopHost Leticia Ferrer's Texas Eclipses Site https://texassolareclipses.com/Host Chris Chotas Alexander's Sitehttps://www.chotachrome.com/IG: @chotachromeLooking 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) Eventshttps://texassolareclipses.com/upcoming-events/Totality Talks is created by Leticia Ferrer and Chris Chotas Alexander. Totality Talks is produced by Chris Chotas Alexander.
Ep#7 - Jamie Carter - Eclipse Journalist
Mar 7 2024
Ep#7 - Jamie Carter - Eclipse Journalist
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.orgThe Eclipse Company:https://theeclipse.companyMap 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=b3a74b457252Festival Guides and Reviews:https://festivalguidesandreviews.comGreat resource at National Eclipse:https://nationaleclipse.comLink 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=feR12pQ8dXcSafe Solar Viewing Glasses, Eclipse T-Shirts and swag https://texassolareclipses.com/shopHost Leticia Ferrer's Texas Eclipses Site https://texassolareclipses.com/Host Chris Chotas Alexander's Sitehttps://www.chotachrome.com/IG: @chotachromeLooking 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) Eventshttps://texassolareclipses.com/upcoming-events/Totality Talks is created by Leticia Ferrer and Chris Chotas Alexander. Totality Talks is produced by Chris Chotas Alexander.
Ep#4 - Dr. Kate Russo - Ineffable (Part 1)
Jan 24 2024
Ep#4 - Dr. Kate Russo - Ineffable (Part 1)
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.htmlAmerican Paperwearhttps://ampaperwear.com/Safe Solar Viewing Glasses, Eclipse T-Shirts and swag https://texassolareclipses.com/shopHost Leticia Ferrer's Texas Eclipses Site https://texassolareclipses.com/Host Chris Chotas Alexander's Sitehttps://www.chotachrome.com/IG: @chotachromeLooking 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) Eventshttps://texassolareclipses.com/upcoming-events/Totality Talks is created by Leticia Ferrer and Chris Chotas Alexander. Totality Talks is produced by Chris Chotas Alexander.
Ep#3 - Allan Aldworth - Aussie First Timer
Jan 8 2024
Ep#3 - Allan Aldworth - Aussie First Timer
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, 2028November 25, 2030July 13, 2037December 26, 2038Path 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 Carlyhttps://www.hit.com.au/shows/allan-and-carlyHit 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-eLinks to Allan & Carly on the LiSTNR app: https://omny.fm/shows/hit-wa-breakfast/playlists/allan-michelle-listnrIG: @hitfmwa @allanaldworthSafe Solar Viewing Glasses, Eclipse T-Shirts and swag https://texassolareclipses.com/shopHost Leticia Ferrer's Texas Eclipses Site https://texassolareclipses.com/Host Chris Chotas Alexander's Sitehttps://www.chotachrome.com/IG: @chotachromeLooking 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) Eventshttps://texassolareclipses.com/upcoming-events/Totality Talks is created by Leticia Ferrer and Chris Chotas Alexander. Totality Talks is produced by Chris Chotas Alexander.
Ep#2 - Fred Espenak - Mr. Eclipse
Dec 7 2023
Ep#2 - Fred Espenak - Mr. Eclipse
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=cgxZ4H3gJ8cThe book Totality: The Great North American Eclipse of 2024 2nd Edition by Mark Littmann and Fred Espenak:  https://amzn.to/417qnbDIn 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/3uVm9HNFive Millennium Canon of Solar Eclipses: Volume 2: 1 to 3000 Fred Espenak and Jean Meeus:  -https://amzn.to/46LWkasAs 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.htmlAlso, check out Fred Espenak's Author Page on Amazon: https://amzn.to/41eXsT4Sponsor - American Paper Wear Solar Eclipse Glasseshttps://ampaperwear.com/“Solar Echoes” and “Automatica” music created by Nigel Stanford. Safe Solar Viewing Glasses, Eclipse T-Shirts and swag https://texassolareclipses.com/shopHost Leticia Ferrer's Texas Eclipses Site https://texassolareclipses.com/Host Chris Chotas Alexander's Sitehttps://www.chotachrome.com/IG: @chotachromeLooking 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) Eventshttps://texassolareclipses.com/upcoming-events/Totality Talks is created by Leticia Ferrer and Chris Chotas Alexander. Totality Talks is produced by Chris Chotas Alexander.
Ep#1 - Get In The Path
Nov 7 2023
Ep#1 - Get In The Path
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-EDhttps://youtu.be/Qog18tiNnqg?si=THSMOmmwiF51c7i8How solar and lunar eclipses workhttps://youtu.be/oNH3akWXaV8?si=hhblWbd1hCkZWQSJSponsor - American Paper Wear Solar Eclipse Glasseshttps://ampaperwear.com/Solar Eclipses Interactive Google Map courtesy of Xavier M Jubierhttp://xjubier.free.fr/en/site_pages/solar_eclipses/TSE_2024_GoogleMapFull.htmlDr. Gordon Telepun’s Solar Eclipse Timerhttps://www.solareclipsetimer.com/NEW Prediction of Solar Maximum (Space.com)https://www.space.com/solar-maximum-expected-2024-new-predictions-suggestWeather 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. Safe Solar Viewing Glasses, Eclipse T-Shirts and swag https://texassolareclipses.com/shopHost Leticia Ferrer's Texas Eclipses Site https://texassolareclipses.com/Host Chris Chotas Alexander's Sitehttps://www.chotachrome.com/IG: @chotachromeLooking 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) Eventshttps://texassolareclipses.com/upcoming-events/Totality Talks is created by Leticia Ferrer and Chris Chotas Alexander. Totality Talks is produced by Chris Chotas Alexander.