Ardglass scientist revels in day as ‘eclipse-chaser’

Ardglass scientist revels in day as ‘eclipse-chaser’

10 April 2024

AN Ardglass man has described Monday’s solar eclipse as “kind of like seeing the end of the world”.

Ryan Milligan was in Mexico to witness the amazing phenomenon for an incredible 12th time.

A self-declared “eclipse-chaser” the 48 year-old has previously travelled across Asia, Australia, North and South America as well as Africa to see a solar eclipse first-hand.

A solar eclipse happens when the Moon moves between the Sun and the Earth, casting a shadow.

Ryan, who is a lecturer in astrophysics at Queen’s University Belfast, described the experience as “really visceral”.

“It’s kind of like the end of the world,” he said. “You can imagine how civilisations in the past might have been terrified at the prospect of a solar eclipse.

“Now we understand them a bit better. They’re really a unique way to feel the position of the Earth in the Solar System and to see the magnificence of the outer solar atmosphere known as the corona.

“It’s that thrill to see a solar eclipse that inspires us chasers to go to the ends of the Earth.”

Ryan saw his first total eclipse in Turkey in 2006.

He said: “Nothing compares to the adrenaline rush of being on the path of totality when the Moon covers all light from the Sun and darkness fills the sky.”

Ryan said the temperature s during the eclipse which adds to the excitement.

“You get these sunsets in the middle of the day, animals go to sleep, stars come out,” he explained.

“The hairs go up on the back of your neck – the adrenaline kicks in because your brain is trying to process what is happening.

“In Mexico, we are probably expecting a 10 to 15 degree drop.

“Imagine you are out in your t-shirt enjoying the sunshine and suddenly you want to put a jacket on, it’s that noticeable a drop – it adds to the thrill of the experience.”

The next total solar eclipse is expected in August 2026 but it will be a little closer to home.

“Europe hasn’t really had a full total solar eclipse since 2015 and that one only went over the Faroe Islands and Svalbard,” Ryan said.

“That year I went to the Faroe Islands and of course the north Atlantic weather got the better of us and we were clouded out. We didn’t get to see totality and it was very disappointing.

“Europe’s been deprived of total solar eclipses for a number of decades now and I’ve had to travel all over Asia, Australia twice, South America twice, North America twice, even Africa, to see these things.

“Having one in your own back yard in a couple of years will be really something to look forward to.”