The Eclipse of 1999

[Stirlinghibee]

I read recently that NASA are going to beam the Beatles "Across the Universe" to the Polaris star system. It got me thinking about the time I heard this gorgeous song during something very special, the 1999 total solar eclipse.

I was on the top of a seastack on the beach at Lizard point, Cornwall during what I now think is the most thing incredible sight I have ever witnessed. 20,000 people had filled the beach and the surrounding cliffs and the excitment rose as 11:11 am drew nearer. Someone had put a massive PA system on the beach and at the start of the eclipse started to play this song. In all my athiest life, It was by far the closest I have come to a religious experience. The interplay of the Earth, the Sun and the moon was brought home to me during these incredible two minutes, and just how we are all part of a cosmic majesty. I was humbled and stunned for hours afterwards.

Did anyone else witness it like this?

[Stu]

That's a great post. You describe the experience and your feelings about it very well.

[Colr]

I wass at the necropolis in Glasgow. It was the biggest damp squib I can remember. Like a cloud passing over.

I remember some Weegie muppet on the TV that night saying how it was a life altering experience - THAT WAS PROBABLY THE DRUGS, MATE!!!

[Stirlinghibee]

Originally Posted by Colr

I wass at the necropolis in Glasgow. It was the biggest damp squib I can remember. Like a cloud passing over.

I remember some Weegie muppet on the TV that night saying how it was a life altering experience - THAT WAS PROBABLY THE DRUGS, MATE!!!

Col, when I came back home a few days later everybody was looking at me and thinking "What is he making such a fuss about?? It's like Neil fae the Young ones has swapped place wi Stennyhibee" . It really was a case of you had to be there. Whilst most people described it as a cloud going across, in the zone of totality (Cornwall) we had -

1. A shadow travelling across the atlantic coming towards us.

2. A strange wind appearing from nowhere, that felt like a soft breath on your skin, and a low moaning sound.

3. Apart from the music, total silence from the seagulls that he been screetching moments before.

4. A temperature drop of about 10 degrees. The same as you feel going from a house to the street. And it going up again as quick.

5. Looking in the far distance to see blue sky on the horizon.

6. And something that looked like everyones idea of a black hole dominating the Sky.

The soapdodger most likely was on drugs!

[Colr]

Sounds great. I might book now for this one:-

http://www.eclipse.org.uk/eclipse/04...S2017Aug21.pdf

[Stirlinghibee]

Col I most certainly would if you can. I would advice a costal resort in Oregon, as you would be able to see the "blue sky horizon" and also the onrushing shadow.

I went to the eclipse with a scientist's curiosity, and came back one of the "planet people" fae Quatermass for a few weeks!

[Colr]

Originally Posted by Stennyhibee

Col I most certainly would if you can. I would advice a costal resort in Oregon, as you would be able to see the "blue sky horizon" and also the onrushing shadow.

I went to the eclipse with a scientist's curiosity, and came back one of the "planet people" fae Quatermass for a few weeks!

The web site that I referenced was quite good. Plenty in the ocean in the coming years so Easter Island and the Fore Isles are getting to show sooner than the US.

[Greenscratch]

Originally Posted by Stennyhibee

I read recently that NASA are going to beam the Beatles "Across the Universe" to the Polaris star system. It got me thinking about the time I heard this gorgeous song during something very special, the 1999 total solar eclipse.

I was on the top of a seastack on the beach at Lizard point, Cornwall during what I now think is the most thing incredible sight I have ever witnessed. 20,000 people had filled the beach and the surrounding cliffs and the excitment rose as 11:11 am drew nearer. Someone had put a massive PA system on the beach and at the start of the eclipse started to play this song. In all my athiest life, It was by far the closest I have come to a religious experience. The interplay of the Earth, the Sun and the moon was brought home to me during these incredible two minutes, and just how we are all part of a cosmic majesty. I was humbled and stunned for hours afterwards.
Did anyone else witness it like this?

Dude,

you may be an athiest, but you can still experience Om.

[Colr]

Lincoln City or Newport, Oregon?

[Looby-Lou]

I lost my virginity that night

[Beagle]

Originally Posted by Looby-Lou

I lost my virginity that night

So you could say the 'moon' moved for you that night?

[Looby-Lou]

Originally Posted by Beagle

So you could say the 'moon' moved for you that night?

Nah...wouldn't say that