Solar Eclipse Resources at NBLA: Home

In this video, listen to Alan Shapley, Robert Herman, and Helen Hogg reflect on witnessing the total solar eclipse of January 24, 1925 and the impact it had on their interest in astronomy.

Find more oral history excerpts about solar eclipses and other topics in our Voices of the Past Playlist on YouTube!

Home movie of a solar eclipse expedition to Lund, Sweden on June 30, 1954 filmed by William F. Meggers. See Catalog Record and Digital Repository. Forms part of the William F. Meggers home movies [motion picture] collection, 1927-1959.

The footage of the eclipse was described by Meggers as thus:
30 June. Eclipse expedition, Lund to Lyckas & 86 in party
Leave train at Jankoping. (K.W. Meissner of Purdue wears beret at 0:03-0:05)
Board buses for Lyckas -- 0:14
Inside a bus! -- 0:23
Leave buses to walk 2km over hills to center of eclipse (Julian Mack of Madison) -- 0:26
Procession to eclipse (deBruin and Kiess at 0:37) -- 0:34
"To the press - photography with flash light during eclipse absolutely forbidden" -- 0:38
1 PM. Standing on exact center of eclipse path Waiting for total eclipse -- 0:40
Blackness comes suddenly and lasts 137 seconds (dense clouds obscures all) -- 0:55
10 minutes after totality I pose with NBS spectroscopists and display eclipse necktie -- 1:09
Prof_ of_ lectures to disappointed crowd -- 1:11
Wild roses cheer us -- 1:26
Tramp down hill and pass foiled eclipse observers from -- 1:32
Return to buses & to grass-covered "Gyllene Uttern" = Golden Otter Restaurant for supper (free) and presents. 1:51
Bright sun breaks thru clouds 4 hrs after eclipse! -- 2:12