Eclipse hunter: meet the woman who saw the phenomenon 20 times around the world

The total solar eclipse on Monday (8) is generating excitement among universe observers in the United States. Among them is a fanatic of the phenomenon who has watched 20 solar eclipses around the world: Leticia Ferrer, a 63-year-old woman who lives in North Texas.

In 1991, Ferrer traveled to Mexico to see his first solar eclipse. Since then, she has traveled to all seven continents to view 20 eclipses – Ferrer has not missed one since 1998.

“I’m addicted to that feeling,” Ferrer said. “And then, of course, there’s always planning for the next one. My life is governed by eclipses.”

Ferrer, who has a podcast about eclipse called “Totality Talks”, saves money from his budget for travel expenses and guarantees vacation from his work in telecommunications, on the dates scheduled to see the phenomenon.

Unlike other solar eclipses, Ferrer and her husband Daniel Brookshier won't have to travel far for the April 8 event because the Dallas area where they live is within the eclipse's path. Ferrer said this hasn't happened since 1878.

To raise awareness about the upcoming celestial event, Ferrer traveled throughout the state of Texas speaking at local schools and communities.

“That’s my goal, is to get more people interested in it, so they don’t miss out on this wonderful opportunity,” said Ferrer.

On Wednesday (3), Ferrer gave a presentation to fourth and fifth grade students at Frank Moates Elementary School in Dallas.

“I think it will be scary because it will be very dark during the day,” said 9-year-old HectorTeran. “And I've never seen an eclipse. So my parents are also scared, because they have never seen an eclipse either.”

Ferrer pursued his dream of witnessing every solar eclipse despite challenging life events.

In 2017, she postponed a procedure after an ovarian cancer diagnosis to see the total solar eclipse that summer. She traveled to Argentina in 2010 to see the phenomenon after her first husband, John Echols, passed away that year.

“He passed away and I said, 'You know what? I saw his dreams die with him and I will not let my dreams die,” Ferrer said. “So, I went in 2010, alone.”

A year later, Ferrer met her current husband Daniel Brookshier on a dating site, where she explicitly made it clear on her profile that her mission is to see all solar eclipses.

“Some suitors left when they found out how much it cost,” Ferrer said. “Daniel was the one who looked me up online, saw my videos and said, 'This is really cool.'”

Brookshier has only missed two solar eclipses since meeting Letícia and said he is looking forward to this Monday's event (8).

“I think this is going to be the first one that we don’t have to take at least two planes to get to,” Brookshier said.

Ferrer said he hopes to make it to age 103 to see his 50th total solar eclipse.

Source: CNN Brasil

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