A solar eclipse can be one of nature’s most awe-inspiring phenomena. That’s why each time an eclipse comes around, tens of thousands of eclipse chasers around the world descend on the path of totality. This enthusiasm is contagious and experiencing an eclipse in the right conditions can easily turn you into an eclipse chaser for life!
Believe it or not, an eclipse party can have a festival-like atmosphere. Depending on where you go, there may be tailgating, live music, food, and plenty of fun for the whole family. As the countdown to the eclipse begins, the buzz will build throughout the crowd, lifting all the way to the big moment. Once the Moon approaches the edge of the Sun, the crowd noise suddenly goes quiet as everyone breathless stares at the sky in amazement.
After the eclipse, you’ll notice there’s still a hum of excitement and positive energy buzzing through the crowd. Don’t let that go to waste! The minutes after witnessing an eclipse can be a great opportunity to teach young eclipse-chasers about what they just saw, to meet old school eclipse chasers and trade stories, and, of course, to keep having fun!
Here’s how to make the most of the ninety minutes after an eclipse.
Let the Lesson Sink In
If you’re an educator experiencing the eclipse with your class, take a few minutes to let the lesson sink in. Have your kids gather around and discuss what you just witnessed. Bring along some educational materials, such as diagrams, textbooks, or print-outs, that can recreate the eclipse from a different perspective.
By reviewing the astronomical science shortly after the eclipse, you can ensure the information sticks in your students’ minds. This can make it a truly unforgettable experience – one that also makes for an amazing science lesson!
Meet Your Fellow Eclipse Chasers
Whether you’re heading to a total eclipse viewing or a partial eclipse viewing, you’re more than likely going to be joining dozens, if not hundreds, of enthusiastic eclipse chasers who have been doing this their entire lives.
Take some time to introduce yourself to your fellow eclipse chasers and strike up some conversation. If you run into seasoned eclipse viewing veterans, you’re bound to get an earful of stories about their favorite eclipses. This sense of community is one of the best eclipse after effects and is a wonderful opportunity to learn, but also to make new friends who you can plan to meet up with again at the next event.
Process the Experience for Yourself
While trading stories and sharing memories with fellow eclipse chasers is fun, the moments after an eclipse are a great time to process the experience for yourself. For some, this may be recording the event in a journal – where you watched this eclipse, who you were with, what the weather was like, and how you felt seeing this particular eclipse.
For others, especially young children, the best way to process the eclipse may be through writing a creative story, drawing a picture, or even writing a song! There’s no wrong way to do it, and it can help you better commit the experience to memory.
Share the Experience with the Visually Impaired
A solar eclipse is not an event that is only accessible for those who are able to experience it with their eyes. Today, scientists and eclipse chasers have developed ways for the visually impaired to share in the eclipse experience. This includes Eclipse Soundscape apps which allow the visually impaired to track the movement of the Moon across the Sun in real-time through vibrations on a smartphone.
It also creates a recording of the soundscape produced during the eclipse itself. This reflects the amazing phenomenon in which nocturnal animals in the area begin to buzz as the Moon crosses in front of the Sun, but once the Sun reappears, the animals begin to sing a “false dawn chorus,” thinking that the sun is rising once again!
After the eclipse, check in with your visually impaired friends to get a sense of what they experienced. Your visually impaired friends likely have a heightened sense of the sound, the light, and the temperature, and by gathering their information, you can get a more complete understanding of the eclipse!
Make Sure You’re Ready
While we’ve been focusing on what to do after the eclipse, it’s important that we also make sure you’re ready before the big event! Before you head out to your eclipse viewing party, make sure you’re prepared. Check out our “Center Line” Eclipse Gear Guide to you have everything you need to make the most of the experience, including eclipse shades and solar filters.
Rainbow Symphony was founded by a dedicated eclipse chaser, which is why we’re so dedicated to providing the products and the resources you need to be fully prepared for the next eclipse. Whether you’re planning for the annular eclipse on October 14, 2023, or the next total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, we’ve got you covered.
Explore our collection of eclipse eyewear, including durable plastic eclipse shades, clip-on eclipse glasses, and paper eclipse glasses available to order in bulk.
And don’t forget to bookmark our blog to keep up to date with the latest information about the eclipse, eclipse after effects, the eclipse-chaser community, and more tips for how you can make the most of the party!
