It was a lot of build-up for just two and a half minutes of pay-off.

But High River Astronomer James Durbano says he wouldn't have missed last week's total solar eclipse for all the money in the world.

"A total solar eclipse is absolutely spectacular, it's off the charts! I've never seen one before, until last week. And it was absolutely spectacular and I can't wait to see another one in the future."

Photo taken just seconds before the moon begins to move past the point of totality, for what's called the "Diamond Ring" effect. Photo courtesy James Durbano, Big Sky Astronomical Society.He says it's not a long wait with the next solar eclipse visible in North America in about seven years

"The next really good one that's easily accessible for us is in April of 2024. That'll be an eclipse that starts off in Mexico, cuts upwards through the United States through Texas and Buffalo, New York and across Lake Ontario into Toronto and continuing on northwards."

For those that don't want to travel, High River and the Foothills will experience a total eclipse Monday, August 22, 2044.

Durbano and his family travelled to Nebraska to take part in the event.

 

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