Dr Alfredo Carpineti, an astrophysicist, recalls the moment he saw his first total solar eclipse in 2017, an experience that profoundly changed him. Despite witnessing many celestial phenomena, nothing prepared him for the beauty and silence of totality.
The Chase for Totality
On 21 August 2017, Carpineti and his husband raced through Nashville, Tennessee, to find a clear view of the Great American Eclipse. They had traveled from London to witness the event, but clouds threatened to ruin their chance. With just 50 seconds of totality, they parked at a printing company and watched as the moon covered the sun.
A Profound Silence
As the world fell into twilight, birds landed and hushed, and the corona became visible. Carpineti and his husband were moved to tears. He realized the incredible coincidence that the moon and sun appear the same size from Earth, making total eclipses possible. This experience turned him into an "eclipse hunter."
A Second Eclipse in Mexico
In April 2024, Carpineti traveled to Mazatlán, Mexico, for the second Great American Eclipse. With over four minutes of totality, the sun at its peak solar cycle produced a wispy corona. The crowd's joyful chatter turned into a profound silence, reinforcing his appreciation for the universe.
Carpineti has already booked trips to Spain for the 2026 and 2027 total eclipses. The 2027 eclipse will be the longest of the century, with over six minutes of totality. He finds this cosmic phenomenon endlessly fascinating.
His book Invisible Rainbows is out on 21 May.
