The Night Sky

Eclipse Countdown

Welcome to The Night Sky: A Podcast on the Eclipses Comes to Kerrville. A podcast celebrates that for two days over the next 15 months, Kerrville, TX, will be the Eclipse Capital of the World. This podcast, hosted by Andrew Gay and Tom Fox, will celebrate these two eclipses and discuss how the town of Kerrville will prepare for an influx of a quarter million (or more) visitors. This podcast is produced by the Texas Hill Country Podcast Network. Today, Tom and Andrew visit over the final countdown to the Eclipse and review their favorite stories from this podcast series. Eclipses and astronomy, a subject of fascination that has mesmerized countless individuals, trigger profound curiosity and captivation in their enthusiasts. Delving into this topic, Tom Fox and Andrew Gay bring their own unique perspectives into the conversation. Fox’s perspective is one that marries admiration for celestial events with an appreciation for their scientific and economic implications. His dialogue and interaction with experts like Ben Locwin and Mike Zeller have enriched his understanding of the nuances of different eclipses, highlighting their unpredictable and thrilling nature. Conversely, Andrew Gay’s enthusiasm for the subject was sparked later in life, in his mid- to late-twenties. His discussions with former NASA employees and avid eclipse chasers such as Loretta Hidalgo Whitesides and Jeff Stone have deepened his knowledge and fueled his interest in the world of astronomy. Gay espouses a philosophy of preparedness for upcoming eclipses while also embracing the uncertainties associated with these events, emphasizing the importance of enjoying the experience as a whole. Key Highlights: * Passionate Enthusiasts Inspiring Wonder Through Eclipses * Eclipse’s Economic Impact on Local Communities * Chasing the Mystique of Total Solar Eclipses  Resources: Andrew Gay on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-gay-0a4218117/] Tom Fox on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasfox13/]

Mike Zeiler on Mapping The Path of The Eclipse

Welcome to The Night Sky: A Podcast on the Eclipses Comes to Kerrville a podcast which celebrates that for two days over the next 15 months, Kerrville, TX will be the Eclipse Capitol of the World. This podcast, hosted by Andrew Gay and Tom Fox will celebrate these two eclipses and discuss how the town of Kerrville will prepare for an influx of a quarter million (or more) visitors. This podcast is produced by the Texas Hill Country Podcast Network. Today, Tom takes a solo turn to visit with eclipse chaser and tracker Mike Zeiler. Mike Zeiler is a seasoned expert in geographic information systems (GIS) with a particular focus on smart mapping and analytical capabilities. His passion for astronomy has led him to chase solar eclipses since 1991, witnessing numerous total, annular, and partial eclipses. This passion has also driven him to create eclipse maps and establish the renowned website, Great American Eclipse.  Zeiler's perspective on the 2024 eclipse preparation is centered on strategic planning and maximizing the chances of a successful viewing experience. He emphasizes the importance of selecting a location with favorable weather conditions and good mobility options in the event of patchy clouds on eclipse morning. His approach to eclipse chasing involves meticulous preparation and a willingness to travel to different parts of the world to witness these celestial events. His dedication to his passion is evident as he looks forward to upcoming eclipses in Spain in 2026 and 2027.  Key Highlights: * Eclipse Chaser: Mike Zeiler's Celestial Journey * Double Diamond Ring Phenomenon Prediction Platform * 2024 Eclipse: Emphasizing Experience Over Photography * Long-Term Eclipse Chasing Plans Around the World Resources: GreatAmericanEclipse.com [https://www.greatamericaneclipse.com/] Twitter [https://twitter.com/AmericanEclipse] Andrew Gay on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-gay-0a4218117/] Tom Fox on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasfox13/]

Chap Percival on The Transformative Journey of Total Solar Eclipses

Welcome to The Night Sky: A Podcast on the Eclipses Comes to Kerrville a podcast which celebrates that for two days over the next 15 months, Kerrville, TX will be the Eclipse Capital of the World. This podcast, hosted by Andrew Gay and Tom Fox will celebrate these two eclipses and discuss how the town of Kerrville will prepare for an influx of a quarter million (or more) visitors. This podcast is produced by the Texas Hill Country Podcast Network. Today, Tom and Andrew visit with noted eclipse chaser Chap Percival.  Chap Percival is a seasoned educator and advocate for safe and educational eclipse viewing, with a rich background in math and science education and a deep passion for astronomy. His perspective on safe and educational eclipse viewing is shaped by his extensive experience in the field, including his time as a planetarium director and his personal experiences witnessing six eclipses across four continents. Chap strongly emphasizes the importance of safety during eclipse viewing, recommending the use of eclipse glasses and cautioning against young children staring at the sun. He also encourages people to visit his website for more information and resources on safe viewing and his book on eclipses. Join Tom Fox and Andrew Gay as they delve deeper into this topic with Chap Percival on the next episode of The Night Sky podcast. Key Highlights: * The Transformative Journey of Total Solar Eclipses * Experiencing the Multidimensional Eclipse Journey * Ethereal Transformation: Chasing the Eclipse * Chap Percival's Eclipse Viewing Guide Resources: Go See The Eclipse: A Glimpse of God’s Glory [https://www.amazon.com/Go-See-Eclipse-Glimpse-Glory/dp/0986197548/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2MHBO9HRB374M&keywords=chap+percival+eclipse&qid=1705442114&sprefix=chap+percival+eclipse%2Caps%2C101&sr=8-1] by Chap Percival Eclipse Kerrville [https://www.shopsattheridge.com/event/eclipse-2024] Andrew Gay on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-gay-0a4218117/] Tom Fox on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasfox13/]

The Night Sky - Dr. Kim Arvidsson's Journey in Astronomy

Welcome to The Night Sky: A Podcast on the Eclipses Comes to Kerrville, a podcast that celebrates that for two days over the next 15 months, Kerrville, TX, will be the Eclipse Capitol of the World. This podcast, hosted by Andrew Gay and Tom Fox, will celebrate these two eclipses and discuss how the town of Kerrville will prepare for an influx of a quarter million (or more) visitors. The Texas Hill Country Podcast Network produces this podcast. Join hosts Tom Fox and Andrew Gay on the latest episode of “The Night Sky” as they interview Kim Arvidsson, an associate professor of astronomy and physics at Schreiner University, who has a rich background in astrophysics, having studied at Lund University in Sweden and Iowa State University, and later working as a postdoc at the Adler Planetarium in Chicago. Arvidsson’s passion for astronomy was ignited during his childhood when he witnessed the return of Haley’s Comet and learned about Voyager Two’s exploration of Uranus and Neptune. This fascination with the predictability of astronomical events led him to a career in astronomy, where he now focuses on observational studies of star-forming regions. As an educator, he takes great pleasure in witnessing his students’ “light bulb” moments as they grasp and articulate complex concepts. Join Tom Fox and Andrew Gay as they delve into Dr. Kim Arvidsson’s career and contributions to astronomy education on this episode of The Night Sky podcast. Key Highlights: ·      Dr. Kim Arvidsson's Journey in Astronomy ·      Dr. Arvidsson's fascination with celestial events ·      Astronomical Luck: Upcoming Dual Eclipses ·      Eclipse prediction through ancient observations ·      Exploring the Cosmos: Beyond Gazing at Stars Resources Kim Arvidsson [https://schreiner.edu/su-directory/arvidsson-kim/] Andrew Gay on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-gay-0a4218117/] Tom Fox on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasfox13/]

Bruce Barton from the Hill Country Astronomers

Welcome to The Night Sky: A Podcast on the Eclipses Comes to Kerrville, a podcast that celebrates that for two days over the next 18 months, Kerrville, TX, will be the Eclipse Capitol of the World. This podcast, hosted by Andrew Gay and Tom Fox, will celebrate these two eclipses and discuss how the town of Kerrville will prepare for an influx of a quarter million (or more) visitors. This podcast is produced by the Texas Hill Country Podcast Network. Join hosts Tom Fox and Andrew Gay on the latest episode of "The Night Sky" as they interview Bruce Barton, a member of the Hill Country Astronomers, about the rare and exciting upcoming solar eclipses coming to Kerrville. With over 80 members from various counties, the Hill Country Astronomers Club is at the forefront of astronomy in the region. Barton shares his expertise about the rarity of a total solar eclipse, occurring only once every 4-500 years at any location on Earth. He also reveals that the last total solar eclipse to occur near Texas was in 1878, and the next one won't happen until 2048. The hosts and guests then discuss personal experiences of watching a total solar eclipse, emphasizing the need for safety glasses and the unique nature of the experience that photos don't do justice. The hosts offer resources for listeners to learn more about the Hill Country Astronomy Club and the local dark sky group. Take advantage of this fascinating episode filled with expert knowledge and personal stories about the wonders of the night sky. ·      The Rarity of Solar Eclipses ·      Chasing the Total Solar Eclipse in the Fog ·      Eclipse Tourism Challenges in Small Towns ·      Hill Country Astronomy Club Outreach Programs ·      Embracing the Solar Eclipse Experience ·      Contact Recommendations for Listeners Notable Quotes: “If I were to rank it from, say, 1 to 10, it's an 11.” “The instant that it went total, I was a crow magnet man. I was absolutely gobsmacked.” “But as beautiful as those photographs are, they cannot do justice. To what you will see with your own eyes during a total solar eclipse.” ‘Basically, we're there to provide an avenue for people who are interested in the night sky to become more familiar with it.” Resources Hill Country Astronomers [https://www.hillcountryastronomers.com/] Andrew Gay on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-gay-0a4218117/] Tom Fox on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasfox13/]