There’s nothing quite like the experience of a total solar eclipse—the sky darkens in the middle of the day, temperatures drop, and for a few fleeting minutes, the Sun’s outer atmosphere, the corona bursts into view. On April 8, 2024, I witnessed this breathtaking celestial event from Jackman, Maine, a prime location for eclipse chasers in the northeastern United States.

Armed with a rented Nikon D500, and 600mm Tamron SP lens, I employed my Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer 2i star tracker to carry the load. While I had the gear to shoot the eclipse, I have to admit that “experiencing” this eclipse naked-eye was my primary goal. This would be my 3rd total solar eclipse and admittedly my attention during much of totality for first two TSE’s was spent on camera equipment.

I left the Dallas/Fort Worth area, where oddly enough the total solar eclipse would be visible, however the weather for much of Texas was not looking as favorable for eclipse day as I would have liked. So to  Boston I flew and then drove up to Waterville, ME after a brief stop to visit a relative and enjoy a magnificent whole lobster dinner at Billy’s Chowder House in Wells, ME.

Jackman, Maine, offered an incredible vantage point for the eclipse as the centerline passed almost on top of the town. Nestled in the remote western region of the state near the Canadian border, the town’s high likelihood of clear skies that day made it an ideal spot to witness totality.

I drove in early that morning from Waterville, ME arriving in Jackman well before the crowd. The main road to Jackman is US 201, a two lane highway that is pretty much the only way in and out of that area. That would come back to bite me when it came time to leave after the eclipse. Not knowing what the crowd was like or even where I’d be setting up to shoot the eclipse, I was eager to get there. I quickly landed on the veteran’s memorial park area just next to the Jackman Town Office, and it turned out to be a popular place.

Jackman’s population of less than one thousand residents grew that morning by ten fold to roughly 10,000 or so eclipse chasers. There were cars, trucks, campers and RV’s everywhere. I watched as my location went from a handful of people sleeping in their cars grew to wall to wall people and vehicles literally with no parking left in sight up and down US 201. Logging trucks occasionally still made their way through the sea of people and cars in the small town. Cell towers and service was overloaded in the area, and texts were only sporadic. It was an amazing transformation in and of itself but that was just the beginning. I had later read that this eclipse crowd resulted in the largest group of people ever in Jackman history. That doesn’t surprise me.

As the Moon began its slow march across the Sun, the excitement among fellow eclipse watchers was palpable. Using my camera gear and  Thousand Oaks Optical SolarLite Solar Filter Film, I was able to safely view and photograph the partial phases leading up to and beyond totality.

As the Moon completely covered the Sun at 3:29:30 p.m. EDT, a deep twilight settled over the landscape. It always occurs “all of a sudden” even though you are expecting it to happen. The solar corona, a ghostly halo of plasma extending millions of miles into space, became visible to the naked eye.

It was a sight that no photograph could fully do justice—you just have to see it for yourself. This was my third total solar eclipse but nothing could have prepared me for the naked-eye visible solar prominences seen during this one!

The prominences were mind-blowing. The eclipsed Sun appeared as if a powerful red lasers were being projected on various spots along the edge of the solar disk.

Totality at my location lasted 3 minutes and 26 seconds. It goes by very fast and as previously mentioned having seen two other total solar eclipses, and knowing how fast and fleeting totality is, I purposefully took time away from the camera to just to be in the moment and watch this eclipse.

Because the Sun and its components are ever changing each total solar eclipse has its own characteristics that make it special. And the fiery prominences dancing along the Sun’s edge were the best examples I had ever seen. The stunning contrast of the inky-black Moon against the solar atmosphere was amazing.

As quickly as it began, totality came to an end. A final burst of light signaled the return of the Sun, and just like that, the 3+ minute spectacle that everyone had travelled to see was over. The crowd erupted in cheers, and I took a deep breath and relaxed for what seems like the first time in hours, savoring the experience as the two objects began to slowly separate in the sky.

As is always the case there are those that quickly pack up and leave immediately after totality is over. The reality for them, and later for me as well, was they were only joining in on the massive traffic jam to leave the remote Jackman area.

I continued to capture the Moon as it made its way off the solar disk for over an hour after totality until my camera battery died, and at that point I was done.

My GoPro Hero 8 Black didn’t blink through the entire eclipse. Here’s a timelapse I made with photos of the event sprinkled into the video for flair. Totality occurs at about 2 minutes and 20 seconds into the video if you want to skip ahead.

I packed up and started the long drive back down to Boston. A drive that should have taken me 4.5 hours ended up taking me close to 9 hours. I was incredibly tired but I was able to make my flight out the next morning.

Here’s a News Center Maine TV report after the eclipse from Jackman that includes footage of me (during totality) at the camera with a gray baseball hat on.

The 2024 total solar eclipse was a stunning and unforgettable event that saw totality stretching from south Texas all the way up to northern Maine in the U.S. I hope you were able to experience it in some way, shape or form and that it was an amazing experience for you too. For those who missed this eclipse, the next opportunity to see totality in the U.S. will be on August 23, 2044. Until then, I’ll cherish the images and memories of that incredible April afternoon in Jackman, Maine—where for a brief moment, day turned to night, and the universe revealed one of its most awe-inspiring spectacles.

Clear skies,

Scott