I witnessed a total solar eclipse in 1979 here on our North American continent. About 2 to 3 minutes in totality. One of the most amazing experiences in my life. It was worth the trip.
The author was being optimistic in reckoning total eclipses at any point as “once in a lifetime.” I think that Jan Meesus gives the average interval between totality for a point on earth as about 325 years. (It’s a difficult calculation.) However, occasionally some places have two eclipses less than 18 monthes apart. The last total eclipse in New York City was in 1925, for instance.
It’s provocative that Nova Scotia had two eclipses in the early 1970’s either of which was before Carly Simon’s “Your so vain.?
Diamond Ring Effect During 1979 Eclipse (79SE2-4)
The last rays of sunlight shine through deep lunar valleys as the solar corona leaps into view. This eclipse was also noteworthy for the brilliant red solar prominences visible around the Moon's limb.
Total Solar Eclipse of 1979 February 26 (Riverton, MANITOBA) 60mm f/15 achromatic refractor (f.l. = 910mm)
Photo ©1979 by Fred Espenak
Totality will occur somewheres around the Land Between the Lake, Kentucky.
Noonish. So bring me a ham sandwich, will ya.