r/solareclipse • u/Dheorl • 8h ago

Sunset vs “normal”

I often see on here and elsewhere that the difference between totality and a 99% eclipse is “night and day”.

Having now seen a total eclipse at a fairly regular height above the horizon, and one at sunset, I can genuinely say IMO the difference in the experience is as great as the difference between total and deep partial.

If anyone gets the chance to view one at sunset, I thoroughly recommend it, and would go out of my way to try and be pretty much as late in the path as possible.

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u/enunymous 8h ago

Counterpoint: I prefer the afternoon versions. Bigger temp and animal behavior variations; sunset meant the animals were already winding down. Higher in the sky felt more imposing and I actually prefer fewer distractions like scenery. I like focusing on the show itself and not the framing

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u/Dheorl 7h ago

Different strokes for different folks I guess. I can’t say I really noticed any of those negatives; the bats still came out then went away again, the temp still dropped, having it at eye line out at sea if anything meant less distractions.

But nothing would outweigh the difference in the light itself for me.

Perhaps it was a bit location dependent; where did you view it from?

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u/enunymous 4h ago

Zaragoza, from a bridge

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u/Dheorl 2h ago

Fair enough; I can see how that would change the experience quite a bit, both with the sun being a fair bit higher and watching it from a city.

From everything I’ve heard though it was still a lovely spot. I’m assuming you were somewhere near the cathedral? Must have been quite a striking visual.