Umbraphiles coming to NE Ohio: Why, who are they?
*Above video shows phases of a total solar eclipse that will be seen over Ohio*
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WJW) — Umbraphiles from all over the world will be descending on the Cleveland area and throughout Ohio to be in the path of totality for the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse on April 8.
In a sense, like storm chasers or tornado chasers, umbraphiles chase total solar eclipses anywhere one occurs in the world.
Learn more about the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse in Ohio
“Umbraphiles even plan their vacations, work schedules, and then retirement years traveling anywhere in the world there’s going to be a total solar eclipse,” said astronomer Jay Reynolds.
“I’ve know umbraphiles from Ohio who have gone to Anarctica, Icleand, jungles and deserts to be in the path of 100% totality during a solar clipse and now umbraphiles from around the world will be coming here to the Cleveland area,” Reynolds told Fox 8 News.
Reynolds said “umbra” refers to the dark shadow the moon casts on earth and “phile” is a word rooted in Greek that means love or fondness.
“Some people who live with a passion and desire to be in the path of a total solar eclipse will buy a plane ticket and fly to, let’s say in this case Cleveland, watch the eclipse from the airport parking lot then wait to take their return flight back home.”
Reynolds said umbraphiles are, “exotically flexible and prepare well in advance to travel anywhere on the globe to be in the path of a total solar eclipse.”
‘Bunny Binkying’ caught on camera in NE Ohio
Luckily for many people in the Buckeye State and all of Northeast Ohio, our backyards can be exotic enough!
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