We list fiction, films, music, art, and other examples from the humanities that were inspired by total eclipses of the Sun. We also provide links to other such listings.
1. Introduction
In doing eclipse education and outreach, one effective way to reach public audiences is to show them how past eclipses have influenced creative people in a variety of non-scientific fields. Total eclipses of the Sun, with their magnificent changes in the sky and on the ground, have captivated and stimulated people for centuries.
In this brief compilation, I have listed some specific works connected with total solar eclipses, and other listings of such works in various fields of the humanities. There is no claim here for completeness, but the examples provided should be a good starting point for demonstrating the remarkable inspiration that eclipses have generated in many of the arts.
2. Eclipses in Adult Fiction
Banville, John Eclipse. 2000, Picador. Complex enigmatic novel about a failed actor where an eclipse of the Sun is a key event. (An eclipse also plays a role in his second novel in this series, Shroud, 2002, Picador.)
Byrd, Max Shooting the Sun. 2003, Bantam. Historical fiction: young woman astronomer in 19th century on an expedition in American southwest to photograph a total eclipse for the first time. Many historical characters accompany her.
Dorricott, Fran After the Eclipse. 2019, Titan Books. Two young girls disappear during two different eclipses, and the first one’s sister tries to solve the mystery.
Hart, Elsa Jade Dragon Mountain. 2016, Minotaur Books. A murder mystery set in 18th century China and at the time of a total eclipse.
Kelley, Erin He Said, She Said. 2017, Minotaur. Psychological thriller, where the events are set off during a trip to see a solar eclipse in Cornwall.
King, Stephen Gerald’s Game (1992, Viking) and Dolores Claiborne (1992, Viking). Two horror novels both of which feature eclipses as parts of the complex plot.
Langton, Jane Dark Nantucket Noon. 1975, Penguin. A murder is committed during a total eclipse of the Sun.
Neville, Daphne A Celestial Affair. 2016, Lulu. Part of the Trengillion Cornish Mystery series, this book is about a village that hosts many visitors for a total eclipse.
Rigbey, Liz Total Eclipse. 1996, Pocket Books. A mystery with an astronomer protagonist; a key part of what’s going on is revealed during an eclipse. (Figure 1).
Figure 1
Total Eclipse by Rigbey | Goodreads
Seagren, Ronnie Seventh Daughter. 2008, Flying Pen Press. Fantasy adventure: a woman born during an eclipse must see an eclipse in Peru to regain powers she needs to fight an evil entity.
Sawyer, Robert Illegal Alien. 1997, Ace Books. Aliens who arrive on Earth go see a total solar eclipse and humans learn that it is a sight unique to Earth.
Twain, Mark A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court. 1889. Many editions. A modern American transported back in time is condemned as a magician but saves himself by predicting an eclipse.
Verne, Jules The Fur Country. 1873. One of Verne’s Extraordinary Voyages novels, in which a predicted total eclipse showing as partial is one of the things that alerts the protagonists that they are not where they think they are.
Whitaker, Phil Eclipse of the Sun. 1997, Phoenix Books. An Indian science teacher uses an eclipse to allow him to forge a relationship with an English tutor.
Arnold, Sandra Child of the Sun: A Cuban Legend. 1997, Troll. An illustrated story book with a fable of how an eclipse happens from the Ciboney people of Cuba.
Blyton, Enid The Secret Mountain. 1941, several publishers. Children’s adventure in Africa, where an upcoming eclipse is part of the plot.
Fraknoi, Andrew & Schatz, Dennis When the Sun Goes Dark. 2017, National Science Teaching Association Press. Grandparents return from an eclipse expedition and tell kids all about it. (For ages 9-12) (Figure 2)
Figure 2
Hoult, Janet Where Did the Sun Go? Myths and Legends of Solar Eclipses Around the World Told with Poetry and Puppetry. 2013, Outskirts Press. A variety of eclipse stories and instructions on how to tell them through puppet shows.
Mass, Wendy Every Soul a Star. 2008, Little Brown. A total eclipse of the Sun brings together three disparate teenagers. (Young adult fiction)
Sonneborn, Ruth Someone Is Eating the Sun. 1974, Random House Pictureback. Book about eclipses for very young children.
Whitethorne, Baje Sunpainters: Eclipse of the Navajo Sun. 1994, Salina. Tells the story of how the Navajo people explained eclipses.
The Adventures of TinTin: Prisoners of the Sun. Herge (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 1949). Graphic novel.
Halper, Mathew Shadow over the Andes (for strings) – performed by the Arco Ensemble, Paul Dunker, conductor. Inspired by the total eclipse visible from southern Argentina in July 2010: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMDf64SuNAk
Handel, George F. “Total Eclipse:” an aria from the oratorio Samson. (many recordings). Poignant song, comparing Samson going blind with an eclipse of the Sun. See, for example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bWE1vZ9OKw
Hovhaness, Alan Sonata on the Long Eclipse of the Moon July 6, 1982 (Nicola Giosmin on Taukay). Portrays some of the physical and personal aspects of watching the full Moon turn dark and then coming back into the light; by a prolific 20th century Armenian-American composer who plays with astronomy in a number of his pieces: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJ3RbNlNJ-s
Saariaho, Kaija Notes on Light (Orchestre De Paris on Ondine). In this modern piece for cello and orchestra, the composer tries to portray properties of light and phenomena with light through musical textures. The fourth movement is called “Eclipse”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQSV5qFv_T0
Tsontakis, George Eclipse (piece for clarinet, violin, cello, and piano; Broyhill Chamber Ensemble on Koch). Written after composer saw a lunar eclipse, the music reminds him of “the eclipsing shadow… as it softly invaded the hazy luminescent circle, and later, the shadow leaving the sphere just as quietly as it had first entered”: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGxaqBTVsgeOaa0KkHu-pJKzmMUTbxFpf
5.2 Popular Music
Hollywood Principle “Solar Eclipses” – song from the San Diego-based electronic pop music group which uses an eclipse as a metaphor for a broken relationship: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKRYgZVXDMc
Pink Floyd “Eclipse” on Dark Side of the Moon (1973, Capitol Records.) Short philosophical song which ends with “…and the Sun is eclipsed by the Moon.” See: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9xOl8qZ7tc
Tyler, Bonnie “Total Eclipse of the Heart” on Faster than the Speed of Night (on Sony). 1983 song by a Welsh singer using eclipse images -- shadows, being in the dark, “no one in the universe as magical as you” -- to describe a love affair going wrong: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcOxhH8N3Bo (Figure 3)
Maor, E. “Artistry & Solar Eclipses” Sky & Telescope, Dec. 2000, p. 41. On a painting of a total eclipse by Wilhelm Kranz.
7. Articles on Other Connections
Aguirre, E. “Solar Eclipses on Stamps” Sky & Telescope, Apr. 2006, p. 85.
Krupp, E. Chapter 10, “Within the Shadow,” in Beyond the Blue Horizon: Myths and Legends of the Sun, Moon, Stars, and Planets (New York: HarperCollins, 1991), pp 158-172. The meaning and function of eclipse myths in traditions around the world.
Krupp, E. “Women at Risk,” Sky & Telescope, August 1998, p. 94. On the anthropology of eclipses.
Olson, D. "Columbus and an Eclipse of the Moon" Sky & Telescope, Oct. 1992, p. 437.
Schaefer, B. "Solar Eclipses That Changed the World" Sky & Telescope, May 1994, p. 36.
Indigenous Education Institute: Indigenous Eclipse Teachings (a 13-minute video with nice interviews revealing Native American thinking about eclipses): https://vimeo.com/230453732
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