What are eclipse chasers called?

Eclipse Chasers: More Than Just Shadow Lovers, They’re Obsessed!

So, you know those folks who aren’t content just seeing a regular sunset? The ones who have to be in the path of totality during an eclipse? Yeah, they’re a special breed. And they have a name (well, a few, actually). The coolest one? Umbraphile.

Umbraphile: Shadow Obsessed

“Umbraphile” – it just sounds cool, doesn’t it? It basically means “shadow lover,” pieced together from Latin and Greek roots. “Umbra” for shadow, “-phile” for, well, loving something. These aren’t just people who like eclipses; they’re seriously into them. It’s not in every dictionary yet, but trust me, if you hang around eclipse chasers, you’ll hear it thrown around a lot.

Eclipse Chaser: The Everyday Term

Now, if you want a more common term, there’s always “eclipse chaser.” Simple, right? It’s anyone who actively chases after eclipses. Maybe they’ve seen one or two, maybe they’ve seen a dozen. Doesn’t matter – if they’re on the hunt for that perfect shadow, they’re an eclipse chaser.

Other Names and the Eclipse Tribe

Of course, there are other ways to describe these folks. “Eclipse observer,” “eclipse enthusiast”… you get the idea. But whatever you call them, they’re part of a tribe. I remember stumbling across online forums years ago – people swapping tips, coordinating travel plans, just geeking out over upcoming eclipses. The buzz after the 2017 eclipse was insane! Everyone, it seemed, wanted to join the club.

Why Go to All That Trouble?

Seriously, though, why do people chase eclipses? I’ve always wondered. For some, it’s the science – witnessing a rare astronomical event firsthand. But for most, I think it’s something deeper. It’s that feeling of awe, that sense of being connected to something bigger than yourself. One eclipse psychologist, Dr. Kate Russo, even came up with an acronym for it: SPACED. It stands for the whole experience – the sense of wrongness, primal fear, awe, connection, euphoria, and the overwhelming desire to do it again. Pretty spot on, if you ask me.

The Legends of the Shadow

Over the years, some serious eclipse legends have emerged. Ever heard of Fred Espenak? The guy is “Mr. Eclipse,” a retired NASA astrophysicist. Then there’s Michael Zeiler, the map guru behind GreatAmericanEclipse.com. And Xavier Jubier, who created an interactive Google Maps site that’s like the eclipse chaser’s bible. But people have been chasing eclipses for a long time. Samuel Williams, a Harvard professor, led the first American eclipse expedition way back in 1780! And Mabel Loomis Todd, an editor and writer, was an avid chaser. Norman Lockyer even co-discovered helium while observing the sun during an eclipse.

So, whether you call them umbraphiles, eclipse chasers, or just plain obsessed, these folks are united by one thing: a love for the incredible spectacle of a solar eclipse. They’ll travel halfway around the world, endure crazy conditions, all for those few precious minutes in the shadow. And honestly? I kind of get it.