IN THE MEDIA
Most people learn about the wonder of totality from the media. But all too often, the media focuses on sensational stories that miss the real magic of the experience.
That’s why I’m eager to share my knowledge and insights with the media and help them paint a more accurate and thrilling picture of what a total solar eclipse truly is.
So if you’re a journalist, podcaster, or documentary maker looking to add a touch of wonder and inspiration to your eclipse coverage, don’t hesitate to reach out. I’m here to share the real story of the total solar eclipse.
I share my personal experiences of chasing eclipses all over the world for the last two decades. I also draw from my research on the human experience of totality, and my leadership role in community planning for these once-in-a-lifetime events. I’m ready to share my passion and excitement with anyone who will listen.
The eclipse experience is difficult to put into words or neat sound bites. Interviews can take a little while to share the essence of the eclipse experience or the motivations of an eclipse chaser. If you are looking for a quick sound bite, feel free to use something from this website or my books. If you are looking for more depth and detail, then get in touch for an interview.
Online Articles
I have contributed to many online articles. The following selection are to articles that go more in-depth into the eclipse experience, and the work I do, written for a general audience:
STARTS WITH A BANG: Ring of Light
ATLAS OBSCURA: Total Eclipse of the Heart: A Look Into The World of Umbraphiles
ABC NEWS: Psychologist turned eclipse chaser combines work with passion and lives the dream
QUARTZ: The Thrill of an eclipse is so overwhelming that its turned hundreds of people into addicts
VOX: Total solar eclipse chasers 2017
VICE: The Eclipse Doctor
MOTHERBOARD: Inside the thriving subculture of eclipse chasers
WIRED: Meet the woman trying to prepare your town for the total solar eclipse
CNN NEWS: Solar eclipse chasers
LA TIMES: These addicts go to great lengths and expense, again and again, to stand in awe of the Heavens
Magazines
I have been featured in various magazines and print publications. Here is a small selection:
PLANET JACKSON HOLE: Preparing for darkness
JAKARTA POST 2016: Open | Download
DIMMERLATTEN POST 2015: Open | Download
DISCOVER MAGAZINE: Eclipse 2017: Mind melt
YOGA JOURNAL: Eclipse your fears
SKY & TELESCOPE MAGAZINE: Total Solar Eclipse Special (June-July) (no link)
I have also been commissioned to write articles for various publications, including British Airways Magazine, and Sky & Telescope, and have also written for a number of astronomical magazines. Get in touch if you would like me to write for your publication.
Live broadcasts
I really enjoy participating in live broadcasts before every total eclipse, as it really helps to set the scene and convey the excitement of what it is like to be within the path of totality. It is incredibly exciting and thrilling, and I do get rather excitable! Before the total eclipse of 2017, for example, I took part in eight live broadcasts on eclipse day. The clip below with the BBC was recorded live 20 minutes before totality, and I was on location in Grand Teton National Park as the Moon’s shadow was approaching. This was one of my favourite live interviews of the day, and as you can see the interviewer really did pick up on the fab vibe!
For annular eclipses, I often do not travel, but I still take part in live shows to help convey what the experience is like. There is often much more time to go indepth into the eclipse experience. Here are two live broadcasts from annular eclipses recorded with Slooh, from September 1, 2016 and February 26, 2017. Both times I was live from Belfast.
I have undertaken many live radio interviews before and after total eclipses. I actually enjoy building up a picture of what the vibe is like at my location and sharing that excitement. However, there are two caveats to this:
– mobile phone reception is often poor in remote locations, and if phone reception is poor at my viewing location I will not move purely to get a phone signal
– I stop all interviews from 15 minutes prior to totality so I can fully enjoy the experience
– There is no guarantee that I can provide coherent live interviews after totality, as I’m all a bit gah-gah just like everybody else!
Documentaries
I have now taken part in several eclipse-related documentaries, that aim to help share the eclipse experience with a wide audience, with a selection here.
When two Americans venture off to Antarctica to chase an astronomical event that will black out the sun, they uncover madness, obsession and an identity crisis at the heart of the darkness.
Short clip advertising the featured documentary “The Eclipse Chaser” for MetroTV’s 360 Horizon show. The documentary was broadcast in full one week after the total solar eclipse. Credit: MetroTV
Radio & Podcasts
I am a huge fan of doing local radio interviews from within the community in the lead up to every eclipse. I believe this is the best way to engage the community, and it is a way to create buzz and share key information and resources. I did this extensively in 2012 in Australia; in the Faroe Islands in 2015, and also extensively in many states in 2017. I think radio phone in’s are a great way to address the ‘why should I care’ feel many locals have when they are not yet informed of why the total eclipse is something they would also enjoy.
I have also now participated in a quite a few eclipse-related podcasts, which are often longer, giving so much more time to delve into different aspects of the eclipse experience. A selection of these can be heard here, and are all worthy of a listen.
BECOME A TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE CHASER
GIMLET PODCAST: RAPTURE CHASERS
TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE SUN: BBC WORLD SERVICE
DARK SIDE OF THE SUN FINAL: BBC RADIO 4
LOOKING UP: BBC EARTH
Media Panels
Before every total eclipse, I get overwhelmed with with media requests – as do other eclipse folk who engage in eclipse outreach activities. As we are often asked the same questions repeatedly, we have found media panels are very effective at managing the chaos leading up to eclipse day, helping everyone meet tight deadlines. This is a model I encourage where possible to help ease the burden on those who are trying to engage in eclipse outreach leading up to every eclipse.