FREWSBURG, N.Y. — While the total solar eclipse will be a once-in-a-lifetime event for many people, there are others who proudly claim the title of an eclipse chaser with their strong interest in science and natural phenomena.
2 On Your Side recently spoke with Tom Traub, who is with the nonprofit Martz Astronomical Association, which operates the Martz-Kohl Observatory in Frewsburg, southeast of Jamestown, in Chautauqua County.
Traub is an experienced amateur astronomer and an avid eclipse chaser who has traveled to see nine eclipses in his lifetime, varying from total to partial eclipses.
Traub says viewing an eclipse impacts everyone in some way as they take in the celestial event.
"I have seen every gauntlet of human emotion go on during the eclipses," Traub said. "I have seen overjoyed-ness. I've seen tears, crying, hooting and hollering, clapping. You know, exuberations like you wouldn't believe. Again, it's a personal thing on each person as to how they experience it, and what that means to them."
Traub says he plans to be at the observatory in Frewsburg during the eclipse, where he will be using their specialized telescopes and cameras to capture images of the sun and its corona.
The observatory will be closed Monday, but they recently presented educational programs for visitors.
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