For those who just want to view my photos of the 8 April 2024 Total Solar Eclipse, click here. But if you want to read about my Complete Total Solar Eclipse Experience, read on.

Years ago when I began thinking about where to go to view this eclipse, I knew I wanted to be in Indiana. But did I want to go to my hometown where I began my love of Astronomy in 1954 and saw my first Solar Eclipse (partial) in 1963, or did I want to go to Indiana University in Bloomington where I earned my B.S. in Astrophysics in 1970. Both were on the Path of Totality with Totality lasting 3 minutes and 5 seconds in Seymour and 4 minutes and 3 seconds at IU. Both locations would have very personal meanings to me. Decisions, decisions, decisions.

Then the City of Seymour asked if I would be a speaker at their Eclipse Festival. That decided it. My wife Laurraine and I would be going to Seymour! And I would get to see many relatives and classmates in Seymour. Later, the City announced that I had been selected to be the Keynote Speaker!

When one of my classmates in Seymour heard that I would be coming home, he contacted me. He said he was on the Board of Directors of the Seymour Museum and asked if I would be interested in being "on display" at the Museum the day before the Festival. Of course, I agreed. Unfortunately he passed away a few months before the eclipse. Thanks to Margaret Wilson from the Museum for stepping in and taking care of me. Rest in peace, Rodney.

So what about IU? After I decided to be in Seymour, IU announced that William Shatner, Star Trek's Captain Kirk, would be at Indiana University’s Hoosier Cosmic Celebration on eclipse day. Bummer. He wouldn't get to meet me...

Laurraine and I left home on Tuesday, 26 March 2024, to travel to my southern Indiana hometown. We made several sightseeing stops along the way. We arrived in Seymour Friday afternoon, 5 April.

Here are my reports on each day's special events in Seymour:

Friday, 5 April 2024, Special Release Event
Saturday, 6 April 2024, Seymour Museum
Sunday, 7 April 2024, Seymour Eclipse Festival
Monday, 8 April 2024, Total Solar Eclipse

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