The upcoming total solar eclipse on April 8 is generating excitement among stargazers across the United States. Among them is Leticia Ferrer, a 63-year-old woman living in north Texas who’s chased 20 total solar eclipses around the world.

Texas

The upcoming total solar eclipse, set to occur on April 8, is creating a buzz among astronomy enthusiasts throughout the United States. Leticia Ferrer, a 63-year-old from north Texas, stands out in this group due to her exceptional dedication. Ferrer has pursued 20 total solar eclipses globally, marking the forthcoming event as her 21st.

This milestone is significant not only for Ferrer but also for the community of stargazers anticipating the eclipse. Her extensive experience and enthusiasm for solar eclipses underscore the unique allure these celestial events hold for individuals passionate about astronomy.



Eclipse fanatic about to witness her 21st

Leticia Ferra is a numberphile, literally a shadow lover. But what it really means is that she's a chaser of eclipses. The 63-year-old has traveled to all seven continents and even the oceans between them in pursuit of solar eclipses. She hasn't missed one since 1998. And this Sunday's eclipse over North America will mean she's seen 21 of them. I'm addicted to that feeling of that, being that, for those few seconds or minutes, being one with the universe and being really present and feeling it. And then, of course, there's always the planning for the next one. My life is measured in eclipses. So my first one in North America was the 1991. My second one in North America was the 2017, and this will be my third. But I've been to Europe for one of them. I've now gone to Africa twice. I've gone to Australia three times. I've gone to Antarctica twice. I've gone to Asia three times. I think that counts for Indonesia and a couple of oceans. There were a couple of them that we were in the middle of the Atlantic or the middle of the Pacific. It wasn't on land anywhere. Farrah budgets for travel and takes vacation from her day job to witness the events. She also hosts an eclipse podcast called Totality Talks, interviewing experts and enthusiasts. But her obsession has had its challenges. In 2017, Farrah was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, but she delayed treatment to make it to see an eclipse that year. And there was another in 2010, the year her first husband died. So he died in June. There was a total solar eclipse in South America that I hadn't even booked for because we were dealing with his health issues. And he passed. And I just said, you know what? I watched his dreams die with him, and I'm not going to let my dreams die. A year later, Farrah met her current husband, Daniel Brookshire, on the dating website eHarmony. Her profile made it clear that she had a mission to see every total solar eclipse. I didn't even understand it until we started doing it. And it's a lot of effort to try to see an eclipse. And I just had no idea. I think this is going to be the first eclipse that we didn't have to take two airplanes at least to get to, or in a long ride, two buses, and whatever to get to. The Dallas area where they live is within the eclipses path of totality. To raise awareness of the celestial event, Farrah has been traveling across Texas, speaking to schools and community organizations. That's my goal, is to get more people interested in it so they don't miss this wonderful opportunity. Farrah says she hopes to make it to the age of 103 and bring her eclipses count up to 50.

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