Why seeing a total solar eclipse might change your life 🌑

Plus: Episodes on everyday magic 🪄

View this email online This newsletter was written by Life Kit digital editor Malaka Gharib  This Monday, April 8, millions of people across the U.S. will get to observe a total solar eclipse. I still remember the first time I saw one. Not a total one, but a partial one.  It was 1999 and I was 13 years old, spending a summer holiday in Alexandria, Egypt. Although I was a bit outside the path of totality (a total solar eclipse could be viewed from Western Europe to India) it was awe-inducing nonetheless.  Standing on the rooftop of an 8-story apartment building overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, I remember the slight fear and absolute thrill of seeing the moon cover about 60% of the sun. As the sky grew darker, my senses heightened. The waves from the sea grew louder. The wind picked up. Maybe it was my imagination, maybe it was the ominous sky stirring up the world around me.  The wild sensations of viewing a total solar eclipse Science writer David Baron views the beginning of a solar eclipse with friends in Western Australia in 2023. Baron says getting to see the solar corona during a total eclipse is "the most dazzling sight in the heavens." Photographs by David Baron; Bronson Arcuri, Kara Frame, CJ Riculan/NPR; Collage by Becky Harlan/NPR Later I learned that those surreal sensations are part of the enchantment of seeing an eclipse — and that was just a partial one! Science writer David Baron says  beholding the power of a total solar eclipse “is so much more than something you see with your eyes. It’s something you experience with your whole body.”  In an interview with Life Kit, Baron describes in sumptuous detail what it feels like to stand in the shadow of one. He hopes his insights inspire you to drop everything and trek to the path of totality. It is not too late, says Baron. “You could just decide, wherever you are in the country, to hit the road at midnight and drive 10 hours."  Here are some of the most exciting excerpts from the conversation:  🌑 On what it feels like in those few minutes when the moon is completely blocking the sun As soon as the moon blocks the last rays of the sun, you're plunged into this weird twilight in the middle of the day. You look up and the blue sky has been torn away. On any given day, the sky acts as a screen that keeps us from seeing what's in space. And suddenly that's gone. So you can look into the middle of the solar system and see the sun and the planets together. 💡 On the dimming light of the sun  It's as if you're in a room and someone is very slowly dimming the lights. For most of that time your eyes are adjusting and you don't notice it. But then there's a point when the light gets so dim that your eyes can't adjust, and weird things happen. Your eyes are less able to see color and it's as if the landscape is losing its color.  👤 On strange shadows As the sun goes from this big orb in the sky to something much smaller, shadows grow sharper. As you're nearing the total eclipse, if you have the sun behind you and you look at your shadow on the ground, you might see individual hairs on your head. 🌘 Why partial eclipses don’t compare  You will see a sun you've never seen before. That bright surface is gone. What you're actually looking at is the sun's outer atmosphere, the solar corona. It's the most dazzling sight in the heavens. It's this beautiful textured thing. It looks sort of like a wreath or a crown made out of tinsel or strands of silk. It shimmers in space. The shape is constantly changing. And you will only see that if you're in the path of the total eclipse. Why watching a total solar eclipse will change your life 🧙‍♀️More episodes on everyday magic Westend61/Getty Images How to get more out of your dreams. Dreams have inspired works of art, led to breakthroughs in organic chemistry and helped people process their deepest fears and emotions. They're not just weird little movies our brains put on while we sleep. In this episode, we explain why we dream — and how to get more out of them. Listen to the episode here.  How paying attention can help you appreciate what's right in front of you. When you're in a familiar place, it's easy to go on autopilot and overlook the small joys surrounding you. Artist and author Jenny Odell shares tips on how to appreciate what's right in front of you. Read the comic here. How to look at art (and have a perception-altering experience). Everyone can have a profound connection with a work of art. You just need the right mindset and attitude. Art professionals share tips on how to navigate museums and observe paintings and sculptures. Read the story here. How to get into poetry. April is National Poetry Month. If poetry isn't your thing, don't worry — many people are with you on that. But if you want to give poetry a shot but it seems too dense or hard to appreciate, NPR's Life Kit has some tips for you. Read the story here.  This week on Life Kit HUIZENG HU/Getty; Cbording/Getty; Israel Sebastian/Getty Do you love seafood? Here's how to eat it responsibly. Fish populations are dwindling around the world due to overfishing. Here's how to make informed choices when dining out or buying fish at the market. Read the story here.  Get a better handle on your money with a financial self-care routine. We’re supposed to do things routinely for our health: brush our teeth, shower and exercise. There's a version of that for financial health too. We'll talk about those tasks — and go beyond the number-crunching to explore how our mental health affects our finances. Read the story here.  How to introduce solid food to your baby: A nervous parent's guide. Chewing, choking hazards, high chairs – oh my! Starting solid foods with your little one can be as stressful as it is special. A pediatric dietitian and a pediatrician discuss menu choices, allergens, safety and schedules to help you and your child succeed with solids. Listen to the episode here.  Newsletter continues after sponsor message Listen Sponsor-Free Support public media while getting expert advice on health, finance, relationships and more with Life Kit+. You'll get sponsor-free listening AND that warm fuzzy feeling that comes with making a difference. You can also check out loads of other NPR+ podcasts with benefits at plus.npr.org. Explore Life Kit+ Stream your local NPR station. Visit NPR.org to find your local station stream. What do you think of today's email? We'd love to hear your thoughts, questions and feedback: LifeKit@npr.org Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! They can sign up here. Looking for more great content? 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