Hi there. I was lucky enough to see the total eclipse this year - it was my first one! Seeing a total eclipse is a completely different experience to seeing a partial one. Partial eclipse are interesting and do some cool things to light and shadows, but you miss out on the main event! That moment when totality happens and you take off your eclipse glasses, the solar corona is the most breath-taking sight you can see. It looks so weird and other-worldly, like nothing else in nature. And because we're so used to seeing the Sun and Moon and clouds in the sky, it's very jolting to see this other sight. Even though you know what's coming, it's completely unexpected.

The difference between a partial and total eclipse is like the difference between tortillas and popcorn: They're both technically made of corn but they do not resemble each other in any way!!

If you have the chance to see a total eclipse (and the next one in the continental USA is in 2024), then I STRONGLY recommend you try to see it.

I was able to see the total solar eclipse in August from Saint Louis, Missouri. It was the very first total solar eclipse I have ever seen. I have seen partial solar eclipses before, but that is a much different experience from seeing a total solar eclipse.