Totality: The Great North American Eclipse of 2024

by Mark Littmann, Fred Espenak

Overview

Praise for the previous edition
'A relaxed, well-written and information-packed expedition discovering the history of eclipses' - The Sky at Night

A complete guide to the most stunning of celestial sights, a total eclipse of the Sun

Totality: The Great North American Eclipse of 2024 is the most comprehensive source of information, photographs, and illustrations to help readers understand and safely enjoy all aspects of solar eclipses. It includes information on how best to photograph and video record an eclipse, as well as abundant maps, diagrams, and charts, as well as covering the science, history, mythology, and folklore of eclipses.

This new edition focuses especially on the eclipse of April 8, 2024 that passes across Mexico, the United States, and Canada, including detailed maps, precise locations, and weather prospects.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780198879084
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	10/19/2023
Edition description:	2nd ed.
Pages:	384
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Mark Littmann, School of Journalism & Electronic Media, University of Tennessee, Chancellor's Professor and Professor, Hill Chair of Excellence in Science Writing,Fred Espenak, NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, Astrophysicist Emeritus

Mark Littmann teaches science writing at the University of Tennessee, where he holds three distinguished professorships. Mark received a B.S. in chemistry and literature at MIT, an M.A. in creative writing at Hollins College, and a Ph.D. in English at Northwestern University. Mark's books about solar eclipses, giant meteor storms, Halley's Comet, and the discovery of the outer planets have won four national awards. Mark's plays include Halley and Newton, how Edmond Halley made Isaac Newton famous, and Little Lessons for Lina, about Caroline Herschel, the first woman professional astronomer. Before coming to the University of Tennessee in 1991, Mark taught astronomy at Loyola College in Maryland and the University of Utah. In Salt Lake City, he directed the Hansen Planetarium from 1965 to 1983. He wrote and produced 35 planetarium programs, some still performed worldwide. The International Astronomical Union honored Mark by naming Asteroid 303265 after him.


Fred Espenak is the most widely recognized name in solar eclipses. He is an astrophysicist emeritus at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, where he published over a dozen book on solar eclipses. His Five Millennium Canons of solar and lunar eclipses are seminal works for researchers, archaeologists, and historians. Fred writes regularly on eclipses and is well known for his eclipse photography. His image of the 2006 eclipse was featured on a U.S. postage stamp to commemorate the 2017 eclipse. He leads expeditions for solar eclipses around the world and has done so for over 40 years. The International Astronomical Union honored Fred and his eclipse work by naming Asteroid 14120 after him.

Table of Contents

1. The Experience of Totality2. The Great Celestial Cover-Up3. Ancient Efforts to Understand4. Eclipses in Mythology5. The Strange Behavior of Man and Beast: Long Ago6. The Sun at Work7. The First Eclipse Chasers8. The Eclipse that Made Einstein Famous9. The Eclipse that Made Einstein Famous10. Eye Safety During Solar Eclipses11. The Strange Behavior of Man and Beast: Modern Times12. Eclipse Photography13. Remembering the All-American Eclipse of 201714. Coming Back to America: The Eclipse of 202415. The Weather Outlook16. When Is the Next One? Total Eclipses: 2025-203317. Eclipses: Cosmic Perspective, Human Perspective

Editorial Reviews

"Total eclipses of the sun are the most spellbinding sights in the heavens, and Littmann and Espenak's Totality is far and away the most complete and authoritative guide to why, where, and how to see them. Filled with useful observing tips and maps, it's a must-read for experiencing the great US solar eclipse of April, 2024, and an enduring reference for eclipse watching in the future." — Larry Marschall, Professor of Physics, Emeritus, Gettysburg College

"This is a richly informative guide for viewing the Total Solar Eclipse of 2024. It probably answers every question you might have had about this upcoming event as well as some that you probably have not thought of. For anyone planning to travel to see this eclipse the information on weather and viewing locations will be invaluable." — Joe Rao, Associate and Guest Lecturer, American Museum of Natural History

"The authors provide an essential run-up to the great total solar eclipse of April 8, 2024 with an interesting history of past solar eclipses together with predictions for where, and how, to best observe the coming event. There are also enough observer anecdotes and testimonies of past eclipses to convince even the most reluctant travelers to make an effort in 2024 to seek out mother natures' rare, but unparalleled, celestial performance." — Donald K. Yeomans, NASA/JPL Senior Research Scientist

"A total eclipse of the Sun is a fascinating and moving event of great scientific interest. This book is packed with information and is ideal for anyone hoping to witness the 2024 eclipse, whether an experienced eclipse chaser or a first timer" — Professor Philippa Browning, Jodrell Bank Centre of Astrophysics, University of Manchester

"This is a book rich with wonders, revelations, and delights—visual as well as intellectual. There is just something so astounding about a total solar eclipse (I've been privileged to witness two), and Littmann and Espenak have captured that. They help us comprehend the how, the when, and the why of those few moments, as we gaze into the eyeball of majesty. Get ready for 2024." — Dr David Quammen, author of Spillover and The Song of the Dodo, among others

"The authors serve up a splendid repast of eclipse adventure, history, science, travel, and story that captures the excitement and anticipation of one of nature's grandest spectacles. The evolution of the eclipse experience is reconstructed through the amulets of ancient China and the cuneiform tablets of Babylon, the geometric contrivances of Greek philosophers, and the discoveries of Renaissance, Victorian, and 19th-century scientists, all interspersed with an emotional smorgasbord of personal eclipse stories. Written by two experienced "eclipse chasers," Totality offers suggestions on travel, site selection, photography, and, best of all, how to just watch and absorb the unfolding, too-short, celestial drama. An invaluable composition, to be read before the 2024 eclipse and those that follow." — Jay Anderson, Eclipse climatologist

"If there is a more complete modern book describing solar eclipses, I haven't found it. "Totality: The Great North American Eclipse of 2024" describes how, where, and why humans are privileged to see these events. This book offers much more than information on the 2024 total eclipse. Wrapped in history, it tells stories of observers' experiences during eclipses. I am impressed with how thorough these historical biographies and reports are. Successes, failures, surprises, coincidences... It has them all." — Stephen J. Edberg, Astronomer, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (retired)

"Total solar eclipses have terrified and fascinated people for millennia. Littman and Espenak describe the history and science of solar eclipses, with stories about how eclipse enthusiasts were affected by these spectacular events. If you haven't seen a total solar eclipse, this book will prepare you for the experience of a lifetime." — Ralph Chou, Professor Emeritus, School of Optometry & Vision Science, University of Waterloo

From the Publisher