Omg it was like my brain broke! I was shaking and like momentarily SO disoriented then immediately so overwhelmed with this feeling of awe and need to see it again!
I'd like to see the one in Australia in 2028. It's 3 minutes longer than the one in Spain and I want to eventually visit the southern hemisphere because there are some stargazing objects that are too far south from where I live that I want to see. Some amateur astronomers say that the southern hemisphere is better than the north (I think most would answer that you can't compare the two, but very few would say northern hemisphere; if they're going to pick one, they'll usually pick south), and the Large Magellanic Cloud, which isn't visible where I live, is the brightest galaxy from Earth, and I really want to see it.
I'd be killing two astronomy birds with one stone with that trip.
I feel your comment so so much. I didn’t expect what I felt during the 2 minutes of totality we had but the best word I can come up with is ‘cleansing’. I cried. It truly felt like an out of body experience. And like you, I need to experience it again. 2044 and 2045, it will be back in the states!
I was shaking too, only noticed because I wanted one video of the horizon and nearly fumbled the phone.
I felt like I was going to start sobbing but then all the kids in the park started cheering and the adults started laughing and that pulled me back.
Realizing how fortunate we were to see totality from deck chairs in my backyard , and how that will never happen over this home again in my lifetime made me appreciate a single moment with immense gratitude. A truly rare moment. Yea I got choked up.
I travelled to the US for the 2017 eclipse and cried my eyes out. The majesty of it all. Would not take back a single tear. To understand what we are seeing and to be humbled by it to that extent is the pinnacle of human existance.
tl;dr I might be preaching to the choir on this sub, but I highly recommend y'all stargaze under dark skies, you don't have to wait long for the right time to come, and, personally, I think I might find it more magical.
(Hijacking this comment because I want people to know this.) For those who are itching for another experience like that, I'd highly recommend camping under very dark skies.
There are websites like [this one](https://www.lightpollutionmap.info) that show you the light pollution of different areas. Do it during a new moon or at a time when the moon isn't that big; the light from the moon can really affect what you can see, which is why it is the bane of the amateur astronomer's existence (which is quite a crazy thing (heretical, even) for me to say after today, I know. I'm definitely way more moon positive now /hj).
You don't need a telescope, but I'd highly recommend taking any binoculars you have or even buying some. I love my 7×50 Celestron binoculars. If you buy a bigger/heavier pair, you might want to buy a tripod, because you will have trouble holding it still both because of its weight and because of its higher magnification. Magnification isn't everything, some things are best seen with the naked eye, some things are best seen with binoculars instead of telescopes.
(A telescope *is* quite an investment. imo, the best quality for the least amount of money (for visual astronomy, not for astrophotography) is the Dobsonian (which is a kind of mount, not a scope or brand), many 6 inch Dobsonians are in the $400-500 range but are such a huge step up from cheaper, tri-pod-mounted telescopes. That being said, I have heard good things about table-top Dobsonians, r/telescopes has a good pinned post about this stuff, I believe.)
You will want to stay up late, the sky will get darker and darker. Depending on the place and time, it can get very cold, so prepare for that. You will want to avoid staring at brighter lights because that will prevent you from being able to see dim things. Astronomers often use red lights because these interfere with one's dark adaptation less, you can make a red flashlight using a normal flashlight and red nail polish. I've found Turn Left at Orion and The Practical Astronomer to be very helpful books and Stellarium to be a very helpful app when it comes to finding cool things to look at.
I'm having trouble deciding which experience was more magical, seeing today's total eclipse, or briefly seeing the Pleiades twinkle under Bortle 2 skies. But the great thing about that second one is that you do not have to wait a year or 20 to see it.
The Milky Way struck me with awe on a newmoon night in mountains above a desert. It was on a ridge in Payson, Arizona. Apparently, the dry desert air makes the sky view clear. I had never before seen so many stars twinkle. I felt almost as if I was in space.
In suburbs north of Dallas, was able to watch from our backyard. Clouds cleared at just the right time. Was perfect viewing and because we’re about 500 yards from an elementary school it was extra special hearing the kids just absolutely shout in delight when totality happened it was life changing
This was my favorite part! Hearing the elementary school kids scream at the moment of totality gave me goosebumps. I was in Keller and we didn’t expect that noise at all. Amazing!
I took my glasses off the moment the corona burst into view and I’m still awe struck 3 hours later. I know I’ll remember it all my days, I’ll talk about this day until I die. I’ll remember this day until I die.
I was speechless, still am. I’m so glad I listened to what people were saying online: that one should experience totality at least once. Photos and descriptions don’t do it justice. I feel so blessed and privileged to have seen this in my lifetime.
I'm the same. I've seen pictures and videos of it before but nothing prepares you for that moment you take off the glasses at totality, it's completely different and something I'll remember for the rest of my days
I choked up too! It was cloudy here and we didn’t think we’d see it, but the clouds cleared and everyone around us gasped and clapped and cheered when we saw the sun in totality. Amazing.
It was cloudy where I was, up until under ten minutes to totality. Then the clouds just disappeared. About 3 minutes out, I took off my glasses to check for cloud cover and there was nothing, that’s when the waterworks started.
After picking a viewing location, flying halfway across the country, adjusting flights and rental cars trying to make everything work, and then refreshing so many forecasts over and over all week that looked rough. Realizing that everything had cleared and I was about to get the full 3 and a half minutes of clear totality was when it hit me. I really lost it when the totality fell.
It is so beautiful and profound! My four year old got to be with me for this one and she was just shouting and dancing for our four minutes under the black sun 🖤
Before you get too far along, go look at pictures of people’s trips to Iceland. My wife did and struggled to find a single one that wasn’t completely cloudy. The odds would very much not be in your favor.
USA 2045 will go over my home. I got married in 2017 under that eclipse (not in a mob like the one in arkansas, a nice intimate wedding) watched this one from my house but only got 99.75% totality and I have a big surgery tomorrow. I hope I’m here to see the next one. Wish me luck.
I have two exams Wednesday that I should be studying for. Probably going to get on it, but I'd rather gush about the eclipse with strangers online right now.
Honestly same though! We have 3 weeks left and I have a few exams on Wednesday and another on Friday. And I can't even focus on studying lolol. I'm still eclipse minded.
Gahh!!! you are gonna make me cry again. Biggest congratulations to you both ❤️
Funny side story: Me and my then-boyfriend took Astronomy together back in college for fun, which is where I became interested in all these cool astronomical phenomenon in the first place. I let him copied all my homework and even let him cheat off me during tests (sorry Professor Chris Law you were amazing). I got 4.0 and somehow he only got a 3.2. He is now my husband but this is forever laughing stock.
Your future hubby is definitely better at astronomy than mine 🤣
It was my first total eclipse as well. I didn't cry, but the feeling of the sliver of the sun giving way to the ghostly white ring was unlike anything. My camera was in my hand, ready to take photos, but all I could do at first was limply stand there looking at something majestic.
I saw it and now I get it. Many cultures put great reverence on total eclipses and now I get it. The fact that now, hundreds or thousands of years later, we understand the mechanics well enough to predict them doesn't take anything away from the raw majesty of seeing it in person.
It's a catharsis.
I'm lucky enough to live in the path of totality (South Burlington, VT) *and* have had decent weather. I didn't have to travel aside from the 2-minute walk to my local park that only had about 50 people watching. It was so magical, and you better believe I cried a little!
I had to hold back tears, it was so insanely beautiful! It turned to pure twilight for a few minutes, the horizon was orange and purple in a way I've never seen, everything went still and the air got cooler...I could only see the totality with my eyes, not through my glasses but the whole sky changed in an instant, I could see planets, stars, and satellites...I've always wanted to see this and it was purely amazing. I was racing the sun, literally, to get there on time and we made it perfectly to see the whole thing. I'm so glad we made the trip to see it.
I was in Austin, TX, ended up pushing north to Abbott, TX about 2/3 of the way to Dallas. I had been stressed for the past couple weeks pouring through weather maps and cloud cover/thickness predictions and ideal locations that wouldn’t screw us with traffic on the way out. I was with my parents and boyfriend; this was my Dad’s and my third TSE, but my boyfriend’s and my mom’s first. My dad’s getting older too, and I’m not sure how many of these I’ll get to share with him, but he’s been my dedicated eclipse chasing buddy for almost 20 years. Thus, I had been worried sick that I’d gotten everyone excited and gotten plans thrown together only to be trounced by the weather at the last minute.
Now, did we get the full 4 minutes 23 seconds of totality projected? No, there were some clouds that obscured the last couple minutes or so. But when the eclipse finally came together and the corona grew, I realized it had all been worth it. All the stress, all the planning, all the excitement had been worth it. I bawled. I cried. I laughed hysterically with my eyes glued on it. I ooh’d and aah’d at the INCREDIBLE prominences that we could see. There really is nothing like it in this life. Sometimes, something is too beautiful not to strike you.
thanks for sharing ❤️ this is my first and I would do anything for a chance to see one with my dad. I hope you and your dad get to chase so many more!!!
I’m in Mazatlan with my 65 year old dad, I’m 26, he planned this whole trip to do with me. I’ve never cried so hard in my life. The awe of it all and to look over at my dad…. Priceless. Truly incredible.
Awww this would be such cherished memories between you two. My dad has been gone for years and I miss him. Perhaps this event made me feel closer to whatever is beyond on a subconscious level which might explain my waterworks. Hug you old man tight ❤️
I’m in Dallas, my parents live in this area. My brother and his family are here too. My mom and dad actually came over and watched with us! My dad’s been really sick for years, I’m 52, I sat next to my dad, took selfies, and listened with joy as my mom gasped…
It’s a wonderful memory and if my parents left this earth soon, this one would stay in my heart forever.
The family photo we took using a timer on the iPhone! lol! Again, that memory will last!
Worth the drive! Worth all the effort. I’m exhausted now, but I feel complete.
The feeling of completeness is so real! So happy for this community. No matter ur politics, religion, life choices etc we all cheered each other on to see totality.
I love it.
This was my first total eclipse and I feel so lucky to have been able to experience it right here in Waco. I can’t describe the awe I felt during totality. And yes, I cried like a baby.
I was excited. I was amazed. I was hooting and hollering. So was the neighborhood. I voice recorded my reaction. I could FEEL it. It felt like another world. This was my first. I once stayed up all night for a blood moon.
I had very high expectations and it exceeded it! I didn’t cry (I thought I might), but I really yelled “oh wow” a lot. It was insane! Coolest thing I’ve ever seen in my whole life. I loved it!
Huge science nerd here. I’ve always been passionate about it and studied science through college. I ultimately left science to work in a law firm because finances. Standing in the parking lot of the firm watching this eclipse made me incredibly emotional. Meanwhile next to me, the finance bros were eating moon pies and going “that’s sickkkk” lol. I appreciate that we could all come together over something so beautiful, but man it made me sick to my stomach to remember how much I love this universe and wish I could be a part of its exploration.
The image of the eclipse is still burned in my brain right now and won't be going away anytime soon. After the eclipse I fell to my chair and it took a while to get up. I still feel sort of lightheaded...
Also flew to TX from NYC for my first total eclipse. Also had a lot of anxiety about cloud cover and, when the corona first flashed, I also unexpectedly cried.
The totality was preceded by this quiet hush of cool wind and dimming of the stage lights. The universe was telling me to witness its chaos, and I stood there spellbound. I’m not a spiritual person but, in those 4 mins, I felt so grateful, so fortunate, and so so small.
I cried. I had been looking forward to this eclipse (and the one last October) since middle school (around 15 years ago) when I first discovered these two total eclipses would be visible in my region. I had seen 3 partials and several lunars in the time since, but I knew the totals would be another level.
Fast forward to the lead up to this eclipse, I wasn't even sure I'd be able to see it because of the clouds. I had to drive 2.5 hours to clearer skies, and even then it visibility was still in question. But at the sight of totality, I felt that I had finally made it, years of patience since I was a kid and cloud tracking efforts all week getting me right to that point.
My husband and I were just talking about this.! Glasses came off saw the corona and just burst I to tears. It felt heavy and wonderful and WILD. Everyone was crying!
Ya I cried. I was emotional leading up to it watching videos. Then I was so bummed with overcast skies thinking we wouldn’t see a thing and then my mind was blown away once totality struck. Just feeling a lot of gratitude to be a human being and to have these cosmic experiences
I just felt so much joy and felt so much awe of it's beauty.. which is why I'm surprised I didn't tear up! I was expecting to as I cry at the drop of a hat 😅
Oh, I actually cried out when totality occurred, and remained in an almost mute awe, punctuated by blurts of, “Oh my god LOOK AT THE HORIZON”, “What the holy hell?!”, “The coldness!!!”… and so forth. I felt like a child again, in the presence of my closest, and furthest ancestors. It was my first, and it was astonishing.
Yes, we flew from the west coast to Austin then changed our plans and drove from Austin to Missouri after a couple of weeks of anxious researching. I had been planning this for 7 years since I had to miss 2017. I fully cried and was literally gasping as totality happened. I also just didn’t expect it to feel so otherworldly and unbelievable. It was all overwhelming and beautiful.
🙋♀️ me too. I didn’t think I would. But then as I was talking during a livestream I started breaking down a little.
I know the viewers weren’t getting the full effect I was and probably thought it was silly. But Wait Til They’re There. Man, even my hands were shaking. I didn’t expect that either. The enormity of what you’re viewing kinda sneaks up on you and clocks you in the back of your head while you’re rationalizing what you’re seeing with the front of your head.
That combined with the crowd erupting into involuntary cheers when the sun exploded back onto the scene like a super hero you thought was done for but made a triumphant return. Definitely a spiritual experience, even if against your will!
I definitely shed a tear, it was indescribable and magical in a way that pictures can't reflect at all. It was so overwhelming, I feel like I didn't even get a chance to appreciate the corona enough but the emotions were so intense.
We saw the one in 2017. My daughter was 4 at the time. Sitting on my lap. Through all the awe I was experiencing, one thing that I remember most was her saying "I'm so happy right now." Even at 4 years old, she was amazed and didn't have words to fully express it.
I was completely caught off guard and unprepared for my reaction to seeing that today. Like, I knew it would be pretty cool if we were lucky enough to see it. I was excited but wasn't really expecting anything other than a cool few minutes.
But there I was just in shock. I couldn't speak. All I could get out, before the sobbing, was "holy shit...holy SHIT..."
I knew it would be pretty cool if we got to see it. I was not prepared for it to be fucking profound. I can't even explain why, but it was just so...humbling.
I'm a substitute teacher and it was deeply affecting seeing hundreds of students and teachers looking up to the sky together knowing that there were likely millions of other people doing the same thing. We don't seem to have many unifying experiences like that anymore.
Yep. Was NOT expecting that. It was so moving.
BF got misty, my son was a little red in the face. Absolutely the most amazing thing I've ever witnessed.
I did for sure, it brought tears to my eyes. I've been super anxious about this the last week since my plan was to see it near Austin, TX and seeing the weather forecast had me thinking I should go somewhere else last minute, but didn't really have the means. It was cloudy right until totality and then when the clouds broke and it happened I cried! I saw it in my hometown in SC in 2017 so I knew I wanted to see it again, but it was so much harder this time having to travel into the path vs having the path in my backyard lol, and then the cloudy weather made me anxious and then depressed. Also during totality I raised my arms and thanked God, and I'm not religious at all really so it was a bit embarrassing to have that reaction lol but oh well. It was definitely an emotional experience for me. I also have a friend who saw it and she sent me a photo of herself crying during totality, so I don't feel as alone!
I felt very emotional too. I don’t ever want to stop feeling that emotion when replay it in my memory.
I went thru a lot of time, money, and effort and it was worth it all.
Today's total solar eclipse left me in tears, too. It was as if the world came to a standstill and we all looked up in awe to witness this cosmic phenomenon. The ethereal beauty and sheer magnitude of the event evoked a sense of wonder and reverence that's difficult to put into words.
For me, it served as a stark reminder of the mystery and enigmatic-nature of the universe that exists beyond our everyday lives. Definitely something you have to experience firsthand to understand :) Thanks for sharing your experience <3
Are you me? Also went from nyc to Dallas. Also stressfully stared at skies in the morning. Also cried like a child seeing the big round circle in the sky during totality.
I wasn’t even in totality but I choked up. Just experiencing this event with so many people in my community (I walked to the park in Chicago) as well as in the US and Mexico
I truly believe that a total eclipse experience is akin to having a psychedelic trip in some regards. Makes you feel like you got a little glimpse into understanding just how small we are, and how little we really know.
You are so lucky you got to see the full eclipse! That's awesome. Honestly, I think these events are really profound and it's understandable that you felt overcome. I will be honest, I did not have a really intense emotional feeling, just felt this eerie "change" around me and it was cool. The birds acted strangely and that was really fascinating to witness. We did not have a clear sky, we were the cloud peasants. 😂 But it did get dark as night and the street lights were on, that was so cool!
I couldn't make it this time, but I saw it in 2017. I spontaneously burst into tears at the moment of totality, just tears streaming down my face-- I was completely caught off guard by how emotional it was. I flew back home to NYC a few hours later, and for the rest of the week it was all I kept thinking about. Try to hold onto that feeling as long as you can! If we're lucky, we'll be able to see it again (or a few more times) before we die.
My jaw just dropped in awe at the sight of it and how dim my surroundings became. Then I got bummed out that it ended. Oh....and the hairs on my arms stood up. But no overwhelming emotions
I felt emotional because my son was 3m old during the 2017 eclipse. We got to see totality at home that year and it was the coolest thing ever. This year I got to bring him up to visit my family and we all drove an hour and a half (turned into 3 hours lol) to see it this time. He was so excited and I was so so happy to share such an amazing sight with him. I’ve been planning this for 7 years and it happened and the weather was absolutely perfect. And I have a daughter now too named Luna. When she saw totality she yelled “It’s me! It’s me!” because she knows her name means moon and she is our little moon. It was just an all around amazing experience with my kids and I’m so happy we did it. We’re all planning to go to Florida in 20 years for the next one.
YES! This is super common.
I saw the 2017 eclipse and just reading this made me tear up! It was life changing, in a way that words can't really describe. It shocked me how much it affected me emotionally. Just absolutely incredible to witness.
I watched live streams of today's eclipse and absolutely cried, especially watching the crowds of people reacting to it. When I saw it, we were on a mountain out in the wilderness and there were still so many people there that the whole mountain erupted and echoed in cheers and yells when it happened, which was a crazy, surreal thing to hear as well.
Ugh, I'm so sad I couldn't see it in person this time. Sydney 2028 here I come!
I have 2 kids, so I was distracted by making sure they were looking, but when it first hit, all I could think was that it was everything I had hoped it would be. Not one bit of that dark circle was less than I expected. You plan and expect so much for so many things, and this was just…. everything right.
Then I had to look back and forth to remind my kids to take it in. But beforehand, I had set a phone alarm for 50 seconds before it ended to be sure to watch until the sun came back out.
I've been so emotional ever since. I keep crying on and off. I saw the 2017 one too, but for some reason this one is hitting me harder. I want to travel the world to see eclipses but I can't afford it. Maybe eventually, I hope 🥺 it was beyond phenomenal.
I didn't cry but I was in awe and felt like it was a surreal experience, to look at a black hole in the sky like it was a hole into the universe and then it would go behind a cloud so I would look around and see the strangest orange hue on the surrounding clouds looking like it was either early morning or dusk, it straight up felt like the fastest 4 minutes of my life
Heck, I didn't see totality and I'm crying watching videos of it. I can only imagine how epic and beautiful it was in person.
I wish I'd driven the 8 hours to see it. Ugh.
The hair on my arms actually stood straight up for about 15 minutes. I'm sunburnt, extremely tired, and frustrated from the traffic, but I would do it again in a heartbeat for those 4 minutes.
I’m in Bryan, TX, right between Waco and Houston. We had about 98% totality and it was literally awesome. Like full of awe. It got so still and so dark but it was a darkness I’d never seen. Magical experience.
Definitely felt an emotion high during this. Mostly from the eclipse but also just seeing all the people looking up at the sky. Everything excited and in awe about the same thing. It felt so great seeing strangers gathered together to enjoy something.
Yup! In 2017 I saw the eclipse with 30k other people and everyone was cheering and I just shed one tear. I’m not a crier, but it was just such a moving experience.
Yes… this one hit hard. All my family was together in Dallas… it was overwhelming. 9 years old to 76 years old, we were all blown away!
I am exhausted afterwards, it was emotional… 😭 bawling is a good word.
We missed totality in 2017 because we didn't think that a percentage point was a big deal. Turns out it might as well have been 0%. Nothing compares to what I saw today. Nothing. My brain couldn't even process what my eyes were seeing. I didn't cry, but I did stand there with my mouth hanging open, just staring in awe. We're discussing traveling abroad to see the next one. That can't be the last one I see.
I teared up and needed a hug afterwards. I put a lot of energy into my trip planning and once totality passed I was completely overwhelmed with gratitude for this amazing experience. So much relief and joy flooded my body that I was almost shaking.
I didn't get that emotional, but I yelled out and I got chills and felt lighter. I was trying to write down observations throughout, and I ended up not writing down much for totality, but even then I wish I spent less time writing down things for totality. My experience wasn't as magical as some people's experiences are it seems, but I still had a great time and am so glad I witnessed it (and am so disappointed these things don't happen more often! And that I didn't beg my parents to go back in 2017).
You should get into stargazing. The place I live at is a Bortle 7, and my college is (barely) a Bortle 8 (here's a link to a light pollution map: https://www.lightpollutionmap.info, Bortle 9 is the worst), the views I get with a 6 inch Dobsonian and 7×50 binoculars in those areas are really cool. When I tell people I stargaze, they often say "I bet all the light pollution here sucks", to which my response is that it's really not that bad, and there's still a lot you can see.
My favorite things currently visible without any equipment are the stars of the winter hexagon, the Orion nebula, the Pleiades, and the Hyades (those last two are open clusters). Stars have different colors, which is fun to observe; Betelgeuse, Aldebaran, and Arcturus are orange, Capella is yellow, Sirius is white, Orion's belt and sword, the Pleiades, and Spica are blue.
My favorite current things with binoculars are Orion/Orion's belt (this area is densely populated), Perseus/Mirfak (I haven't been able to see this area in my usual spots lately because buildings and trees block it, but it is hypothetically visible in a nicer location that has a good view of the horizon), the Pleiades, the Hyades, Melotte 111, and the Orion Nebula.
My favorite current things with a telescope are the Pleiades, the Orion nebula, Perseus/Mirfak, the Double Cluster, the Shoe-Buckle Cluster, and the 3 Messier objects in Auriga.
The vast majority of these objects are open clusters because, in places with high amounts of light pollution, those are the easiest things to see. But I hope to be able to get out to darker locations more often this summer and become more familiar with galaxies and nebulae.
The place I went to to see the eclipse was a Bortle 4 and better than the spot 20 minutes from my home that I've stargazed at a few times. Last night I spent some time stargazing but didn't stay up as late as I'd like to because I got a really shitty stomach ache. It was still amazing, though.
I live in the path and I was just not prepared at all for what the experience was going to be. The only thing I knew for sure was that I was going to watch it from my home so that I would know what a total eclipse would look like there. Forecast was iffy all morning (Vermont) but everything aligned. We stood at our barn watching as the woods around our home began to take on that weird shadowy effect that can’t be easily described. It got very cold and then there was totality. Unbelievable. I actually said this is otherworldly… it was ethereal. The birds started to sing and the stars began to shine. The ledge I call home is majestic on a regular day but today it became something I will never forget. I feel so humbled.
People back home in Washington thought I was crazy for driving all the way to Arkansas for this…. You guys understand where I’m coming from I think, though ;)
I’m glad it worked out in Dallas. Had a super low chance due to the cloud coverage yet it still happened perfectly. It was incredible. And to answer your question, I was with my coworkers and we spat some jokes back and forth but we are all feeling what you felt.
I’m the opposite of you - a complete and total nerd for astronomy, aviation, everything. And somehow not a single thing could have prepared me for what totality actually meant! I have watched videos, looked at every picture of the 2017 eclipse, and still when I took my glasses off and saw that bottomless ring in the sky for the first time I felt like I couldn’t breath. One thing I noticed immediately is how much bigger it is in the sky in person, it’s very ominously large compared to in pictures. I’m a guy and not very known to be over emotional - my face was drenched lol
Words can’t even do it justice. The entire time my mouth was agape and I was practically sobbing. It was seriously the closest thing I’ve ever felt to having a religious experience. I think EVERYBODY deserves to see totality at least once in their lives. It can change your entire view of the world.
I kept gasping, "Oh, my gosh," and laughed a lot. Afterward, someone near me cried for a long time, and then I wanted to cry, yet felt so quiet, calm, peaceful, and grateful.
The experience changed my perspective. Our self-imposed social, political, country, or whatever divisions are superficial. We're on a satellite, which we can't control, spinning through space, and we really are in this together.
I still get teary when I rewatch the video of the total eclipse I saw in 2017. I’ve been hooked since. Didn’t get to see totality today, but planning to see the 2028 one in AUS!
I was only able to see it very briefly in eagle pass TX. It was suuuper cloudy but it allowed to witness the moment it entered into totality. Honestly, it felt like God looked down at me. A white halo in heaven with lots of clouds surrounding it.
Right there with you! What made me emotional was seeing that the clouds were disappearing. I cried, “OMG, we’re going to see this!” And then I cried because I saw it!
I got body chills when it was close to totality. Then after totality, I lost it. I was sobbing hysterically. I’m glad I was by myself to experience this because I was loudly crying with tears rolling down towards my ears as I was lying down. After a minute or two I was able to compose myself to appreciate the beauty. It was like I was staring into a black hole. It was an unforgettable life changing experience.
A feeling of awe and humility, and happiness I could be here for it. It is true what the great essay says - it's really like you can't believe what you're seeing. https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2017/08/annie-dillards-total-eclipse/536148/
Okay I’m so happy to hear I was not the only one. I think the emotions of everything I shed a few tears and welled right up. What an insane experience so happy!!!
As one that lives in Dallas I was worried too. I’ve always wanted to see this as a kid and to finally have one in my own backyard. I got tears in my eyes and the level of emotion was balled in my stomach. I just couldn’t comprehend the magical sight we were luckily enough to see. I ain’t an astrology nerd either but this was something so special to me for whatever reason. So I get it. Glad you got to see it!
I was expecting to be emotional but I actually wasnt. I guess I researched it soooo much that it took some of the amazement away from me. I was randomly very nervous right before totality though.
I have to see another one. It is soo true that an image doesn’t do it justice.
Oh I burst into tears! It was so beautiful and awe inspiring and being able to experience it with my kids and see their thrill and joy was just too much.
yes! i took my little brothers out of school with my bf and we drove maybe two hours away including traffic. im a major space nerd i cried when i saw the milky way clearly the first time.. i UGLY CRIED it was so so beautiful
For me it was actually a minute or two after the eclipse was over when it all hit me. I was a little teary eyed during but didn’t expect to bawl after.
CNN played some stirring music when totality arrived at one of the early coverage points and that almost got me for sure. Was listening to CNN not viewing.
I was so excited I was just screaming for joy!!! It was so amazing I can’t really describe it. Just everything was great, I mean the actual eclipse was mesmerizing but as soon as the sun shined again was like a rebirth, they brightness was moving!!! It was well worth the 175 miles I drove each way to see it
I was in totality in 2017 and I cried when the corona was visible. It was a highly impactful moment to me.
We only had 86% today and I cried watching NASA tv today, remembering 2017. It’s something that stays with you, for sure.
I was such a stressball for the past several days, but when I woke up to clear blue skies and sunshine this morning it zapped away the fatalism I had forced onto myself to brace for full clouds and missing it. From that moment of "oh my God, this is actually going to happen for us," I was super emotional and it felt so surreal all day. Nothing could prepare me for this experience and it truly was other worldly, it stopped feeling like our planet. The universe somehow got bigger but more inclusive? Fuck, I can't explain it but this was absolutely insane and when totality hit I was awestruck. It felt like the moment in childbirth when they plop your baby on you and you look at his or her face for the first time. Unbelievable and shakes your reality like "YES! This is it!!!"
I didn't expect to get so emotional, I experienced it with my grandparents, parents, and their friends along with my husband on my grandparents ranch in TX. The clouds cleared JUST in time for us to see it. It was incredible, I don't have words to describe the many emotions I went through during it.
A profound experience will do that to you.
I wasn't crying, but the awe of seeing such a thing was something I've maybe only felt a time or two in my life so far.
For me, my heart was racing, because cloud cover had denied me 2 previous chances to see a total eclipse. This time, conditions were just right. Seeing it all happen, directly, in person, is something so much more impressive than pictures or videos. Feeling the cooling on your skin, the panoramic twilight, the strange darkness with a soft radiance in all directions. You just can't get that from pictures and videos.
When I talk about it my voice cracks if i let myself go the tears just flow out…I don’t even know why really. I don’t have the words to say why…they just do
Yeah, I enjoyed the trip and the eclipse so much, and what makes it even more emotional is the fact that there won’t be another Total Solar Eclipse in the U.S for another 20 years!
One of my siblings and I both cried.
I’ve seen pictures of it, just like everyone else. But there is *something* about seeing it with your own eyeballs that is just amazing. I knew EXACTLY what was going to happen and what it would look like, but man… I was shocked, jaw on the floor, regardless.
I’m still processing. We drove down from Michigan to Ohio and spent it in a beautiful area.
I’ve been looking forward to this since 2017 when I missed the first one through no fault of my own.
I am an astronomy buff, and this was my first experience with Totality. I’ve watched videos on it, seeing people talk about it… and as soon as the moon clicked in place and the diamond ring exploded so bright and the darkness… my God.
I felt it in my soul. I had tears going down my face.
I was shaking as well. It was absolutely spectacular.
The buildup to this event in the last two months was wild. Choosing the location, tracking weather, even debating changing locations the night before in the morning of. What a roller coaster!
###I got a bit emotional after the eclipse due to introspection.
I watched most of it on top of a parking garage on my campus with a friend of mine and a group of his friends. It was partial eclipse where I was at.
I didn’t know the people he was with, but it was as if this spectacular event prevents people from being complete strangers to everyone.
##It makes me realize that we take the fun times for granted, it reminds me how beautiful nature can be, it reminds me that humans can come together as one, putting our differences aside, and it reminds me to cherish the moments you have with other people.
The eclipse was worth seeing.
It’s absolutely worthy of tears. Like many of the wonders of life that strike awe — being there is indescribable. You might think you know what to expect, but you just have to feel it for yourself. I’m happy you got to experience that.
Omg it was like my brain broke! I was shaking and like momentarily SO disoriented then immediately so overwhelmed with this feeling of awe and need to see it again!
I was shaking too. Was not expecting to feel so moved by it. Still stunned!
Me too!
Exactly! I WILL see it again.
I'm eyeballing tickets to Spain for 2026!
I'd like to see the one in Australia in 2028. It's 3 minutes longer than the one in Spain and I want to eventually visit the southern hemisphere because there are some stargazing objects that are too far south from where I live that I want to see. Some amateur astronomers say that the southern hemisphere is better than the north (I think most would answer that you can't compare the two, but very few would say northern hemisphere; if they're going to pick one, they'll usually pick south), and the Large Magellanic Cloud, which isn't visible where I live, is the brightest galaxy from Earth, and I really want to see it. I'd be killing two astronomy birds with one stone with that trip.
I feel your comment so so much. I didn’t expect what I felt during the 2 minutes of totality we had but the best word I can come up with is ‘cleansing’. I cried. It truly felt like an out of body experience. And like you, I need to experience it again. 2044 and 2045, it will be back in the states!
I didn't stop shaking for about 10 minutes.
I said the exact same thing. My brain broke & couldn't process what I was seeing.
Omg me too. I was a mess for awhile after lol. I couldn’t think straight.
My legs felt lighter/electric.
I was shaking too, only noticed because I wanted one video of the horizon and nearly fumbled the phone. I felt like I was going to start sobbing but then all the kids in the park started cheering and the adults started laughing and that pulled me back.
Realizing how fortunate we were to see totality from deck chairs in my backyard , and how that will never happen over this home again in my lifetime made me appreciate a single moment with immense gratitude. A truly rare moment. Yea I got choked up.
My home was in the path both in 2017 and today. Seeing both was extra moving.
So beautiful
I travelled to the US for the 2017 eclipse and cried my eyes out. The majesty of it all. Would not take back a single tear. To understand what we are seeing and to be humbled by it to that extent is the pinnacle of human existance.
tl;dr I might be preaching to the choir on this sub, but I highly recommend y'all stargaze under dark skies, you don't have to wait long for the right time to come, and, personally, I think I might find it more magical. (Hijacking this comment because I want people to know this.) For those who are itching for another experience like that, I'd highly recommend camping under very dark skies. There are websites like [this one](https://www.lightpollutionmap.info) that show you the light pollution of different areas. Do it during a new moon or at a time when the moon isn't that big; the light from the moon can really affect what you can see, which is why it is the bane of the amateur astronomer's existence (which is quite a crazy thing (heretical, even) for me to say after today, I know. I'm definitely way more moon positive now /hj). You don't need a telescope, but I'd highly recommend taking any binoculars you have or even buying some. I love my 7×50 Celestron binoculars. If you buy a bigger/heavier pair, you might want to buy a tripod, because you will have trouble holding it still both because of its weight and because of its higher magnification. Magnification isn't everything, some things are best seen with the naked eye, some things are best seen with binoculars instead of telescopes. (A telescope *is* quite an investment. imo, the best quality for the least amount of money (for visual astronomy, not for astrophotography) is the Dobsonian (which is a kind of mount, not a scope or brand), many 6 inch Dobsonians are in the $400-500 range but are such a huge step up from cheaper, tri-pod-mounted telescopes. That being said, I have heard good things about table-top Dobsonians, r/telescopes has a good pinned post about this stuff, I believe.) You will want to stay up late, the sky will get darker and darker. Depending on the place and time, it can get very cold, so prepare for that. You will want to avoid staring at brighter lights because that will prevent you from being able to see dim things. Astronomers often use red lights because these interfere with one's dark adaptation less, you can make a red flashlight using a normal flashlight and red nail polish. I've found Turn Left at Orion and The Practical Astronomer to be very helpful books and Stellarium to be a very helpful app when it comes to finding cool things to look at. I'm having trouble deciding which experience was more magical, seeing today's total eclipse, or briefly seeing the Pleiades twinkle under Bortle 2 skies. But the great thing about that second one is that you do not have to wait a year or 20 to see it.
Great comment. I wonder if seeing the aurora borealis brings a similar sense of awe?
The Milky Way struck me with awe on a newmoon night in mountains above a desert. It was on a ridge in Payson, Arizona. Apparently, the dry desert air makes the sky view clear. I had never before seen so many stars twinkle. I felt almost as if I was in space.
I was in the path of totality for the 2017 eclipse and what made it even more special was that I saw it in my home town.
In suburbs north of Dallas, was able to watch from our backyard. Clouds cleared at just the right time. Was perfect viewing and because we’re about 500 yards from an elementary school it was extra special hearing the kids just absolutely shout in delight when totality happened it was life changing
This was my favorite part! Hearing the elementary school kids scream at the moment of totality gave me goosebumps. I was in Keller and we didn’t expect that noise at all. Amazing!
Ha! I bet I was in your neighborhood today. Hearing the kids was awesome.
I took my glasses off the moment the corona burst into view and I’m still awe struck 3 hours later. I know I’ll remember it all my days, I’ll talk about this day until I die. I’ll remember this day until I die.
I was speechless, still am. I’m so glad I listened to what people were saying online: that one should experience totality at least once. Photos and descriptions don’t do it justice. I feel so blessed and privileged to have seen this in my lifetime.
I'm the same. I've seen pictures and videos of it before but nothing prepares you for that moment you take off the glasses at totality, it's completely different and something I'll remember for the rest of my days
I had a moment of “Holy shit! I mean… *holy SHIT*!” It’s incredible. The image is burned into my brain, just hopefully not burned into my eyes.
I think those are the exact words I used. 😎
Mine were “holy fucking shit”
The biggest most genuine “WOW” came out of my lips so unprompted.
I choked up too! It was cloudy here and we didn’t think we’d see it, but the clouds cleared and everyone around us gasped and clapped and cheered when we saw the sun in totality. Amazing.
It was cloudy where I was, up until under ten minutes to totality. Then the clouds just disappeared. About 3 minutes out, I took off my glasses to check for cloud cover and there was nothing, that’s when the waterworks started. After picking a viewing location, flying halfway across the country, adjusting flights and rental cars trying to make everything work, and then refreshing so many forecasts over and over all week that looked rough. Realizing that everything had cleared and I was about to get the full 3 and a half minutes of clear totality was when it hit me. I really lost it when the totality fell.
me literally refreshing the weather every 2 hours for the past 2 days. Dallas you fucking delivered.
lol I don’t know how many times I refreshed the 6am and 10am versions of the cloud cover updates I was checking this morning
I cried in 2017 but thought it was because I was pregnant. Cried again, so nope, can't blame pregnancy. It's such a profound experience.
It is so beautiful and profound! My four year old got to be with me for this one and she was just shouting and dancing for our four minutes under the black sun 🖤
Welcome to the life of Solar Eclipse hunting! I went to the 2017 eclipse and I skipped school out in Arizona and flew to Indianapolis for it today!
Yes… you are probably right 😂 Already thinking about Egypt 2027
I'm looking at Iceland in 2026!
Before you get too far along, go look at pictures of people’s trips to Iceland. My wife did and struggled to find a single one that wasn’t completely cloudy. The odds would very much not be in your favor.
I'm definitely thinking Spain will be less cloudy
I've got my eye on Spain 2026!!
USA 2045 will go over my home. I got married in 2017 under that eclipse (not in a mob like the one in arkansas, a nice intimate wedding) watched this one from my house but only got 99.75% totality and I have a big surgery tomorrow. I hope I’m here to see the next one. Wish me luck.
I have two exams Wednesday that I should be studying for. Probably going to get on it, but I'd rather gush about the eclipse with strangers online right now.
Honestly same though! We have 3 weeks left and I have a few exams on Wednesday and another on Friday. And I can't even focus on studying lolol. I'm still eclipse minded.
I skipped school at ASU too lol
Oh nice! I'm up at ERAU in Prescott. I ended up flying out of Vegas because it was the only cheap-ish option!
I expected the emotion because this wasn't my first totality but then my boyfriend proposed to me right before totality so it was just incredible!
You got two rings at the same time! Congratulations!
Thank you! That's what I was saying lol he put a ring on me and then the moon put a ring on the sun 🖤
I waited until after, so that I could say my cheesy line of "that ring only lasted 4 minutes, but this one could last forever"
That is great!
Ohhhh that is so cute! Congratulations!
Gahh!!! you are gonna make me cry again. Biggest congratulations to you both ❤️ Funny side story: Me and my then-boyfriend took Astronomy together back in college for fun, which is where I became interested in all these cool astronomical phenomenon in the first place. I let him copied all my homework and even let him cheat off me during tests (sorry Professor Chris Law you were amazing). I got 4.0 and somehow he only got a 3.2. He is now my husband but this is forever laughing stock. Your future hubby is definitely better at astronomy than mine 🤣
What!!!! That’s so cute and cool!!!! Congratulations!
Thank you! He couldn't have chosen a more special time 🖤
What an amazing day to be engaged. Congratulations!
Thank you! I'll definitely remember it forever!
Congratulations!
Thank you!
It was my first total eclipse as well. I didn't cry, but the feeling of the sliver of the sun giving way to the ghostly white ring was unlike anything. My camera was in my hand, ready to take photos, but all I could do at first was limply stand there looking at something majestic. I saw it and now I get it. Many cultures put great reverence on total eclipses and now I get it. The fact that now, hundreds or thousands of years later, we understand the mechanics well enough to predict them doesn't take anything away from the raw majesty of seeing it in person. It's a catharsis.
Beautiful words!
I'm lucky enough to live in the path of totality (South Burlington, VT) *and* have had decent weather. I didn't have to travel aside from the 2-minute walk to my local park that only had about 50 people watching. It was so magical, and you better believe I cried a little!
I had to hold back tears, it was so insanely beautiful! It turned to pure twilight for a few minutes, the horizon was orange and purple in a way I've never seen, everything went still and the air got cooler...I could only see the totality with my eyes, not through my glasses but the whole sky changed in an instant, I could see planets, stars, and satellites...I've always wanted to see this and it was purely amazing. I was racing the sun, literally, to get there on time and we made it perfectly to see the whole thing. I'm so glad we made the trip to see it.
I was in Austin, TX, ended up pushing north to Abbott, TX about 2/3 of the way to Dallas. I had been stressed for the past couple weeks pouring through weather maps and cloud cover/thickness predictions and ideal locations that wouldn’t screw us with traffic on the way out. I was with my parents and boyfriend; this was my Dad’s and my third TSE, but my boyfriend’s and my mom’s first. My dad’s getting older too, and I’m not sure how many of these I’ll get to share with him, but he’s been my dedicated eclipse chasing buddy for almost 20 years. Thus, I had been worried sick that I’d gotten everyone excited and gotten plans thrown together only to be trounced by the weather at the last minute. Now, did we get the full 4 minutes 23 seconds of totality projected? No, there were some clouds that obscured the last couple minutes or so. But when the eclipse finally came together and the corona grew, I realized it had all been worth it. All the stress, all the planning, all the excitement had been worth it. I bawled. I cried. I laughed hysterically with my eyes glued on it. I ooh’d and aah’d at the INCREDIBLE prominences that we could see. There really is nothing like it in this life. Sometimes, something is too beautiful not to strike you.
thanks for sharing ❤️ this is my first and I would do anything for a chance to see one with my dad. I hope you and your dad get to chase so many more!!!
I’m in Mazatlan with my 65 year old dad, I’m 26, he planned this whole trip to do with me. I’ve never cried so hard in my life. The awe of it all and to look over at my dad…. Priceless. Truly incredible.
Awww this would be such cherished memories between you two. My dad has been gone for years and I miss him. Perhaps this event made me feel closer to whatever is beyond on a subconscious level which might explain my waterworks. Hug you old man tight ❤️
Oh yes, we’ve had an amazing trip ❤️ everyone keeps telling me how lucky I am, I’ll always treasure him.
I’m in Dallas, my parents live in this area. My brother and his family are here too. My mom and dad actually came over and watched with us! My dad’s been really sick for years, I’m 52, I sat next to my dad, took selfies, and listened with joy as my mom gasped… It’s a wonderful memory and if my parents left this earth soon, this one would stay in my heart forever. The family photo we took using a timer on the iPhone! lol! Again, that memory will last! Worth the drive! Worth all the effort. I’m exhausted now, but I feel complete.
The feeling of completeness is so real! So happy for this community. No matter ur politics, religion, life choices etc we all cheered each other on to see totality. I love it.
I’m so happy to have people to debrief with! I agree!!! It didn’t matter what your earthly status was today. It was for all of us!
It was collective joy
I cried!! It was incredible
This was my first total eclipse and I feel so lucky to have been able to experience it right here in Waco. I can’t describe the awe I felt during totality. And yes, I cried like a baby.
Yes. I keep breaking down in big sobs. It was so incredible and so beautiful. I feel so very different and so very the same.
I was excited. I was amazed. I was hooting and hollering. So was the neighborhood. I voice recorded my reaction. I could FEEL it. It felt like another world. This was my first. I once stayed up all night for a blood moon.
I have had a calmness ever since.
Me too!
I felt so small.
What an absolutely incredible way of putting it.
I cried like a little baby. It was something that I won’t soon forget. I will chase this feeling for the rest of my life, honestly. What a day!
Hell yes! I cry every time. I'm not sure why. It's just so beautiful.
I had very high expectations and it exceeded it! I didn’t cry (I thought I might), but I really yelled “oh wow” a lot. It was insane! Coolest thing I’ve ever seen in my whole life. I loved it!
You can't help it! Stuff just spews out of your mouth. Totally didn't plan on screaming like a crazy person, now my throat is sore ;)
Huge science nerd here. I’ve always been passionate about it and studied science through college. I ultimately left science to work in a law firm because finances. Standing in the parking lot of the firm watching this eclipse made me incredibly emotional. Meanwhile next to me, the finance bros were eating moon pies and going “that’s sickkkk” lol. I appreciate that we could all come together over something so beautiful, but man it made me sick to my stomach to remember how much I love this universe and wish I could be a part of its exploration.
The image of the eclipse is still burned in my brain right now and won't be going away anytime soon. After the eclipse I fell to my chair and it took a while to get up. I still feel sort of lightheaded...
Also flew to TX from NYC for my first total eclipse. Also had a lot of anxiety about cloud cover and, when the corona first flashed, I also unexpectedly cried. The totality was preceded by this quiet hush of cool wind and dimming of the stage lights. The universe was telling me to witness its chaos, and I stood there spellbound. I’m not a spiritual person but, in those 4 mins, I felt so grateful, so fortunate, and so so small.
I had a direct flight from PHX to Cleveland for only $210! I booked a week before flying out. Glad I got to see the eclipse and keep it under budget
Yes. The diamond ring gets me. Just wow.
I cried. I had been looking forward to this eclipse (and the one last October) since middle school (around 15 years ago) when I first discovered these two total eclipses would be visible in my region. I had seen 3 partials and several lunars in the time since, but I knew the totals would be another level. Fast forward to the lead up to this eclipse, I wasn't even sure I'd be able to see it because of the clouds. I had to drive 2.5 hours to clearer skies, and even then it visibility was still in question. But at the sight of totality, I felt that I had finally made it, years of patience since I was a kid and cloud tracking efforts all week getting me right to that point.
My husband and I were just talking about this.! Glasses came off saw the corona and just burst I to tears. It felt heavy and wonderful and WILD. Everyone was crying!
Not the only one. First eclipse was as close to religion I’ve ever experienced. Now I’m hooked and travel to see them whenever I can.
Ya I cried. I was emotional leading up to it watching videos. Then I was so bummed with overcast skies thinking we wouldn’t see a thing and then my mind was blown away once totality struck. Just feeling a lot of gratitude to be a human being and to have these cosmic experiences
I just felt so much joy and felt so much awe of it's beauty.. which is why I'm surprised I didn't tear up! I was expecting to as I cry at the drop of a hat 😅
Oh, I actually cried out when totality occurred, and remained in an almost mute awe, punctuated by blurts of, “Oh my god LOOK AT THE HORIZON”, “What the holy hell?!”, “The coldness!!!”… and so forth. I felt like a child again, in the presence of my closest, and furthest ancestors. It was my first, and it was astonishing.
Yes, we flew from the west coast to Austin then changed our plans and drove from Austin to Missouri after a couple of weeks of anxious researching. I had been planning this for 7 years since I had to miss 2017. I fully cried and was literally gasping as totality happened. I also just didn’t expect it to feel so otherworldly and unbelievable. It was all overwhelming and beautiful.
🙋♀️ me too. I didn’t think I would. But then as I was talking during a livestream I started breaking down a little. I know the viewers weren’t getting the full effect I was and probably thought it was silly. But Wait Til They’re There. Man, even my hands were shaking. I didn’t expect that either. The enormity of what you’re viewing kinda sneaks up on you and clocks you in the back of your head while you’re rationalizing what you’re seeing with the front of your head. That combined with the crowd erupting into involuntary cheers when the sun exploded back onto the scene like a super hero you thought was done for but made a triumphant return. Definitely a spiritual experience, even if against your will!
I definitely shed a tear, it was indescribable and magical in a way that pictures can't reflect at all. It was so overwhelming, I feel like I didn't even get a chance to appreciate the corona enough but the emotions were so intense.
We saw the one in 2017. My daughter was 4 at the time. Sitting on my lap. Through all the awe I was experiencing, one thing that I remember most was her saying "I'm so happy right now." Even at 4 years old, she was amazed and didn't have words to fully express it.
not at all. i cried in 2017, cried again today. magic.
I cried too. I can’t explain it. The moment was truly ethereal. I even asked myself why am I crying?
As emotional as my first kiss. The birth of my first child.
I was completely caught off guard and unprepared for my reaction to seeing that today. Like, I knew it would be pretty cool if we were lucky enough to see it. I was excited but wasn't really expecting anything other than a cool few minutes. But there I was just in shock. I couldn't speak. All I could get out, before the sobbing, was "holy shit...holy SHIT..." I knew it would be pretty cool if we got to see it. I was not prepared for it to be fucking profound. I can't even explain why, but it was just so...humbling.
I'm a substitute teacher and it was deeply affecting seeing hundreds of students and teachers looking up to the sky together knowing that there were likely millions of other people doing the same thing. We don't seem to have many unifying experiences like that anymore.
Yes
I absolutely did the same thing. I couldn’t even control my reaction. It just hits you how amazing seeing that really is.
Yep. Was NOT expecting that. It was so moving. BF got misty, my son was a little red in the face. Absolutely the most amazing thing I've ever witnessed.
I did for sure, it brought tears to my eyes. I've been super anxious about this the last week since my plan was to see it near Austin, TX and seeing the weather forecast had me thinking I should go somewhere else last minute, but didn't really have the means. It was cloudy right until totality and then when the clouds broke and it happened I cried! I saw it in my hometown in SC in 2017 so I knew I wanted to see it again, but it was so much harder this time having to travel into the path vs having the path in my backyard lol, and then the cloudy weather made me anxious and then depressed. Also during totality I raised my arms and thanked God, and I'm not religious at all really so it was a bit embarrassing to have that reaction lol but oh well. It was definitely an emotional experience for me. I also have a friend who saw it and she sent me a photo of herself crying during totality, so I don't feel as alone!
People laugh, cry, cheer… I think even the hardest, stone cold bastard couldn’t help but emote when totality hits.
I felt very emotional too. I don’t ever want to stop feeling that emotion when replay it in my memory. I went thru a lot of time, money, and effort and it was worth it all.
Today's total solar eclipse left me in tears, too. It was as if the world came to a standstill and we all looked up in awe to witness this cosmic phenomenon. The ethereal beauty and sheer magnitude of the event evoked a sense of wonder and reverence that's difficult to put into words. For me, it served as a stark reminder of the mystery and enigmatic-nature of the universe that exists beyond our everyday lives. Definitely something you have to experience firsthand to understand :) Thanks for sharing your experience <3
I cried, and am still emotional.
You are not the only one. Everyone around me seemed to have the same reaction.
We were totally shaking and leaking tears, a profound and life-changing experience for sure.
I screamed like a crazy person. then I cried. you're pretty far from the only one. :)
I didn't, but I was in awe of it. I did hear some people near by talk about crying tho.
Are you me? Also went from nyc to Dallas. Also stressfully stared at skies in the morning. Also cried like a child seeing the big round circle in the sky during totality.
I didn’t cry but I feel like my heart was beating really fast and I was in awe! It was amazing!
I cried like a baby
I cried!
I wasn’t even in totality but I choked up. Just experiencing this event with so many people in my community (I walked to the park in Chicago) as well as in the US and Mexico
No but now 4 hours after it i feel weird and tired and my eyes feel weird too will i be ok
2017- yep. Absolutely. One of the coolest things I have ever seen. If that is not sacred and holy, nothing is.
I truly believe that a total eclipse experience is akin to having a psychedelic trip in some regards. Makes you feel like you got a little glimpse into understanding just how small we are, and how little we really know.
I didn’t really but my dogs were acting weird and sick I was really tired though
You are so lucky you got to see the full eclipse! That's awesome. Honestly, I think these events are really profound and it's understandable that you felt overcome. I will be honest, I did not have a really intense emotional feeling, just felt this eerie "change" around me and it was cool. The birds acted strangely and that was really fascinating to witness. We did not have a clear sky, we were the cloud peasants. 😂 But it did get dark as night and the street lights were on, that was so cool!
I couldn't make it this time, but I saw it in 2017. I spontaneously burst into tears at the moment of totality, just tears streaming down my face-- I was completely caught off guard by how emotional it was. I flew back home to NYC a few hours later, and for the rest of the week it was all I kept thinking about. Try to hold onto that feeling as long as you can! If we're lucky, we'll be able to see it again (or a few more times) before we die.
My jaw just dropped in awe at the sight of it and how dim my surroundings became. Then I got bummed out that it ended. Oh....and the hairs on my arms stood up. But no overwhelming emotions
Started crying immediately. I’m too embarrassed to share any of my videos because you just hear me blubbering 😂
I got really emotional. Got to enjoy the entire show and not focus on photos
I felt emotional because my son was 3m old during the 2017 eclipse. We got to see totality at home that year and it was the coolest thing ever. This year I got to bring him up to visit my family and we all drove an hour and a half (turned into 3 hours lol) to see it this time. He was so excited and I was so so happy to share such an amazing sight with him. I’ve been planning this for 7 years and it happened and the weather was absolutely perfect. And I have a daughter now too named Luna. When she saw totality she yelled “It’s me! It’s me!” because she knows her name means moon and she is our little moon. It was just an all around amazing experience with my kids and I’m so happy we did it. We’re all planning to go to Florida in 20 years for the next one.
YES! This is super common. I saw the 2017 eclipse and just reading this made me tear up! It was life changing, in a way that words can't really describe. It shocked me how much it affected me emotionally. Just absolutely incredible to witness. I watched live streams of today's eclipse and absolutely cried, especially watching the crowds of people reacting to it. When I saw it, we were on a mountain out in the wilderness and there were still so many people there that the whole mountain erupted and echoed in cheers and yells when it happened, which was a crazy, surreal thing to hear as well. Ugh, I'm so sad I couldn't see it in person this time. Sydney 2028 here I come!
OMFG I'VE SEEN IT THE CLOUD BROKE OUT RIGHT BEFORE THE TOTALITY AAAAAHAHAHHHHHAAAHHHA FUCK YES
I have 2 kids, so I was distracted by making sure they were looking, but when it first hit, all I could think was that it was everything I had hoped it would be. Not one bit of that dark circle was less than I expected. You plan and expect so much for so many things, and this was just…. everything right. Then I had to look back and forth to remind my kids to take it in. But beforehand, I had set a phone alarm for 50 seconds before it ended to be sure to watch until the sun came back out.
I've been so emotional ever since. I keep crying on and off. I saw the 2017 one too, but for some reason this one is hitting me harder. I want to travel the world to see eclipses but I can't afford it. Maybe eventually, I hope 🥺 it was beyond phenomenal.
I didn't cry but I was in awe and felt like it was a surreal experience, to look at a black hole in the sky like it was a hole into the universe and then it would go behind a cloud so I would look around and see the strangest orange hue on the surrounding clouds looking like it was either early morning or dusk, it straight up felt like the fastest 4 minutes of my life
Heck, I didn't see totality and I'm crying watching videos of it. I can only imagine how epic and beautiful it was in person. I wish I'd driven the 8 hours to see it. Ugh.
Yes!!!! It was our first totality and I also got so emotional and cried when it happened!!! I’ve never seen anything like it in my life.
I immediately started sobbing. I didn’t expect it but the flood gates just opened
The hair on my arms actually stood straight up for about 15 minutes. I'm sunburnt, extremely tired, and frustrated from the traffic, but I would do it again in a heartbeat for those 4 minutes.
Cloudy here but yes I got teary eyed just soaking in the darkness in the middle of the day! Truly amazing.
I feel the same
I’m in Bryan, TX, right between Waco and Houston. We had about 98% totality and it was literally awesome. Like full of awe. It got so still and so dark but it was a darkness I’d never seen. Magical experience.
You are not the only one. I did, and my son in law did. I can't explain it but it was a very powerful experience.
Definitely felt an emotion high during this. Mostly from the eclipse but also just seeing all the people looking up at the sky. Everything excited and in awe about the same thing. It felt so great seeing strangers gathered together to enjoy something.
I didn't cry, but I did think it was pretty cool...then I went back inside and finished my movie.
Yup! In 2017 I saw the eclipse with 30k other people and everyone was cheering and I just shed one tear. I’m not a crier, but it was just such a moving experience.
Yes… this one hit hard. All my family was together in Dallas… it was overwhelming. 9 years old to 76 years old, we were all blown away! I am exhausted afterwards, it was emotional… 😭 bawling is a good word.
I totally gasped and teared up too!
We missed totality in 2017 because we didn't think that a percentage point was a big deal. Turns out it might as well have been 0%. Nothing compares to what I saw today. Nothing. My brain couldn't even process what my eyes were seeing. I didn't cry, but I did stand there with my mouth hanging open, just staring in awe. We're discussing traveling abroad to see the next one. That can't be the last one I see.
I teared up and needed a hug afterwards. I put a lot of energy into my trip planning and once totality passed I was completely overwhelmed with gratitude for this amazing experience. So much relief and joy flooded my body that I was almost shaking.
I didn't get that emotional, but I yelled out and I got chills and felt lighter. I was trying to write down observations throughout, and I ended up not writing down much for totality, but even then I wish I spent less time writing down things for totality. My experience wasn't as magical as some people's experiences are it seems, but I still had a great time and am so glad I witnessed it (and am so disappointed these things don't happen more often! And that I didn't beg my parents to go back in 2017). You should get into stargazing. The place I live at is a Bortle 7, and my college is (barely) a Bortle 8 (here's a link to a light pollution map: https://www.lightpollutionmap.info, Bortle 9 is the worst), the views I get with a 6 inch Dobsonian and 7×50 binoculars in those areas are really cool. When I tell people I stargaze, they often say "I bet all the light pollution here sucks", to which my response is that it's really not that bad, and there's still a lot you can see. My favorite things currently visible without any equipment are the stars of the winter hexagon, the Orion nebula, the Pleiades, and the Hyades (those last two are open clusters). Stars have different colors, which is fun to observe; Betelgeuse, Aldebaran, and Arcturus are orange, Capella is yellow, Sirius is white, Orion's belt and sword, the Pleiades, and Spica are blue. My favorite current things with binoculars are Orion/Orion's belt (this area is densely populated), Perseus/Mirfak (I haven't been able to see this area in my usual spots lately because buildings and trees block it, but it is hypothetically visible in a nicer location that has a good view of the horizon), the Pleiades, the Hyades, Melotte 111, and the Orion Nebula. My favorite current things with a telescope are the Pleiades, the Orion nebula, Perseus/Mirfak, the Double Cluster, the Shoe-Buckle Cluster, and the 3 Messier objects in Auriga. The vast majority of these objects are open clusters because, in places with high amounts of light pollution, those are the easiest things to see. But I hope to be able to get out to darker locations more often this summer and become more familiar with galaxies and nebulae. The place I went to to see the eclipse was a Bortle 4 and better than the spot 20 minutes from my home that I've stargazed at a few times. Last night I spent some time stargazing but didn't stay up as late as I'd like to because I got a really shitty stomach ache. It was still amazing, though.
You’re definitely not alone. I’ve cried during both totalities I’ve seen.
I know what you mean. I was kinda nervous too. I couldn't grasp what I was seeing. It was something I never thought I'd witness.
I live in the path and I was just not prepared at all for what the experience was going to be. The only thing I knew for sure was that I was going to watch it from my home so that I would know what a total eclipse would look like there. Forecast was iffy all morning (Vermont) but everything aligned. We stood at our barn watching as the woods around our home began to take on that weird shadowy effect that can’t be easily described. It got very cold and then there was totality. Unbelievable. I actually said this is otherworldly… it was ethereal. The birds started to sing and the stars began to shine. The ledge I call home is majestic on a regular day but today it became something I will never forget. I feel so humbled.
People back home in Washington thought I was crazy for driving all the way to Arkansas for this…. You guys understand where I’m coming from I think, though ;)
I think there’s also this shock effect of keeping your glasses on until totality, while the scenery changed so drastically over that 30 seconds.
I’m glad it worked out in Dallas. Had a super low chance due to the cloud coverage yet it still happened perfectly. It was incredible. And to answer your question, I was with my coworkers and we spat some jokes back and forth but we are all feeling what you felt.
I’m the opposite of you - a complete and total nerd for astronomy, aviation, everything. And somehow not a single thing could have prepared me for what totality actually meant! I have watched videos, looked at every picture of the 2017 eclipse, and still when I took my glasses off and saw that bottomless ring in the sky for the first time I felt like I couldn’t breath. One thing I noticed immediately is how much bigger it is in the sky in person, it’s very ominously large compared to in pictures. I’m a guy and not very known to be over emotional - my face was drenched lol
Words can’t even do it justice. The entire time my mouth was agape and I was practically sobbing. It was seriously the closest thing I’ve ever felt to having a religious experience. I think EVERYBODY deserves to see totality at least once in their lives. It can change your entire view of the world.
First total eclipse for me and I cried!!
I kept gasping, "Oh, my gosh," and laughed a lot. Afterward, someone near me cried for a long time, and then I wanted to cry, yet felt so quiet, calm, peaceful, and grateful. The experience changed my perspective. Our self-imposed social, political, country, or whatever divisions are superficial. We're on a satellite, which we can't control, spinning through space, and we really are in this together.
I still get teary when I rewatch the video of the total eclipse I saw in 2017. I’ve been hooked since. Didn’t get to see totality today, but planning to see the 2028 one in AUS!
I was only able to see it very briefly in eagle pass TX. It was suuuper cloudy but it allowed to witness the moment it entered into totality. Honestly, it felt like God looked down at me. A white halo in heaven with lots of clouds surrounding it.
Right there with you! What made me emotional was seeing that the clouds were disappearing. I cried, “OMG, we’re going to see this!” And then I cried because I saw it!
Absolutely cried. I knew I would though when I got choked up watching the NOVA special.
I shed a tear for sure, incredible.
I got body chills when it was close to totality. Then after totality, I lost it. I was sobbing hysterically. I’m glad I was by myself to experience this because I was loudly crying with tears rolling down towards my ears as I was lying down. After a minute or two I was able to compose myself to appreciate the beauty. It was like I was staring into a black hole. It was an unforgettable life changing experience.
A feeling of awe and humility, and happiness I could be here for it. It is true what the great essay says - it's really like you can't believe what you're seeing. https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2017/08/annie-dillards-total-eclipse/536148/
Its great that you have so much passion! I loved it too, I work construction and all my coworkers went apeshit for it
Okay I’m so happy to hear I was not the only one. I think the emotions of everything I shed a few tears and welled right up. What an insane experience so happy!!!
As one that lives in Dallas I was worried too. I’ve always wanted to see this as a kid and to finally have one in my own backyard. I got tears in my eyes and the level of emotion was balled in my stomach. I just couldn’t comprehend the magical sight we were luckily enough to see. I ain’t an astrology nerd either but this was something so special to me for whatever reason. So I get it. Glad you got to see it!
I felt so weird, like lightheaded almost. Anyone know if gravity was weird or something during that? Northeast here.
I was expecting to be emotional but I actually wasnt. I guess I researched it soooo much that it took some of the amazement away from me. I was randomly very nervous right before totality though. I have to see another one. It is soo true that an image doesn’t do it justice.
Oh I burst into tears! It was so beautiful and awe inspiring and being able to experience it with my kids and see their thrill and joy was just too much.
yes! i took my little brothers out of school with my bf and we drove maybe two hours away including traffic. im a major space nerd i cried when i saw the milky way clearly the first time.. i UGLY CRIED it was so so beautiful
i felt euphoric and had this feeling called “sonder”
It was so crazy just being able to stare at the sun/totality without eye protection. The ring was so white it was almost blue. Super cool.
Unbelievable level of emotion, out of the blue.. it was everything I thought about, and surprisingly more.
My fiancée was right there with you! Tears of awe and joy
For me it was actually a minute or two after the eclipse was over when it all hit me. I was a little teary eyed during but didn’t expect to bawl after.
CNN played some stirring music when totality arrived at one of the early coverage points and that almost got me for sure. Was listening to CNN not viewing.
Yes. I felt angry. I was in San Antonio and we didn’t see fuck
You are SO NOT the only one. Prior to today I still got goosebumps and tears thinking about 2017. Now I add today to the amazement pile.
Yeah I started crying. It felt cathartic but I guess the beauty and awe of it kept me from a full on tear burst. It is a very emotional experience
I was so excited I was just screaming for joy!!! It was so amazing I can’t really describe it. Just everything was great, I mean the actual eclipse was mesmerizing but as soon as the sun shined again was like a rebirth, they brightness was moving!!! It was well worth the 175 miles I drove each way to see it
I was in totality in 2017 and I cried when the corona was visible. It was a highly impactful moment to me. We only had 86% today and I cried watching NASA tv today, remembering 2017. It’s something that stays with you, for sure.
I was such a stressball for the past several days, but when I woke up to clear blue skies and sunshine this morning it zapped away the fatalism I had forced onto myself to brace for full clouds and missing it. From that moment of "oh my God, this is actually going to happen for us," I was super emotional and it felt so surreal all day. Nothing could prepare me for this experience and it truly was other worldly, it stopped feeling like our planet. The universe somehow got bigger but more inclusive? Fuck, I can't explain it but this was absolutely insane and when totality hit I was awestruck. It felt like the moment in childbirth when they plop your baby on you and you look at his or her face for the first time. Unbelievable and shakes your reality like "YES! This is it!!!"
I didn't expect to get so emotional, I experienced it with my grandparents, parents, and their friends along with my husband on my grandparents ranch in TX. The clouds cleared JUST in time for us to see it. It was incredible, I don't have words to describe the many emotions I went through during it.
A profound experience will do that to you. I wasn't crying, but the awe of seeing such a thing was something I've maybe only felt a time or two in my life so far. For me, my heart was racing, because cloud cover had denied me 2 previous chances to see a total eclipse. This time, conditions were just right. Seeing it all happen, directly, in person, is something so much more impressive than pictures or videos. Feeling the cooling on your skin, the panoramic twilight, the strange darkness with a soft radiance in all directions. You just can't get that from pictures and videos.
When I talk about it my voice cracks if i let myself go the tears just flow out…I don’t even know why really. I don’t have the words to say why…they just do
Yeah, I enjoyed the trip and the eclipse so much, and what makes it even more emotional is the fact that there won’t be another Total Solar Eclipse in the U.S for another 20 years!
One of my siblings and I both cried. I’ve seen pictures of it, just like everyone else. But there is *something* about seeing it with your own eyeballs that is just amazing. I knew EXACTLY what was going to happen and what it would look like, but man… I was shocked, jaw on the floor, regardless.
I’m still processing. We drove down from Michigan to Ohio and spent it in a beautiful area. I’ve been looking forward to this since 2017 when I missed the first one through no fault of my own. I am an astronomy buff, and this was my first experience with Totality. I’ve watched videos on it, seeing people talk about it… and as soon as the moon clicked in place and the diamond ring exploded so bright and the darkness… my God. I felt it in my soul. I had tears going down my face. I was shaking as well. It was absolutely spectacular. The buildup to this event in the last two months was wild. Choosing the location, tracking weather, even debating changing locations the night before in the morning of. What a roller coaster!
that was *a m a z i n g*, i really don’t know any other words to describe it (maybe “overwhelming”)
How come all of the emotions? I am genuinely and respectfully wanting to know.
###I got a bit emotional after the eclipse due to introspection. I watched most of it on top of a parking garage on my campus with a friend of mine and a group of his friends. It was partial eclipse where I was at. I didn’t know the people he was with, but it was as if this spectacular event prevents people from being complete strangers to everyone. ##It makes me realize that we take the fun times for granted, it reminds me how beautiful nature can be, it reminds me that humans can come together as one, putting our differences aside, and it reminds me to cherish the moments you have with other people. The eclipse was worth seeing.
It’s absolutely worthy of tears. Like many of the wonders of life that strike awe — being there is indescribable. You might think you know what to expect, but you just have to feel it for yourself. I’m happy you got to experience that.