the moon's moment in the sun
moon moments from LUNAR LOVE + a playlist for the solar eclipse
Happy Solar Eclipse Day! Last week, my rice cooker gave me a crescent moon-shaped steam-burn on my arm and for some reason, it feels somewhat fateitious given today’s cosmic alignment of sun, moon, and earth. Also, my Google Alerts are blowing up because of a “lunar love story” movie trailer that just dropped (sharing below). 😆
To celebrate the moon’s moment in the sun, I’ve pulled together moon moments from Lunar Love, as well as curated a playlist for you containing loads of songs about the moon, the sun, and eclipses.
But first, let’s cover our bases on what a solar eclipse even is. It’s called a solar eclipse, but what it really means is that the moon is getting in the sun’s way. As the moon orbits the earth, it'll come between the sun and the earth, blocking the sun (and casting its moon shadow over us). It's basically a moon sandwich.
Because of the various orbits, tilts, specific moon phase, and moving parts required for this total solar eclipse to happen, today’s event is rare. (And this doesn’t even account for whether or not you’re in the “path of totality” and have clear skies.) Some would call it a coincidence, others would call it fate.
To add to the rarity, the next total solar eclipse isn’t supposed to happen in the contiguous U.S. until August 2044. But if you miss it today, you don’t necessarily have to wait another 20 years. The next total solar eclipse outside of the U.S. will be on August 12, 2026, and will be viewable from the Arctic, eastern Greenland, northern Spain, and Iceland.
If you’re curious to learn more about the specifics of solar eclipses, NOAA has a helpful explanation.
🌕 One of the most interesting elements of this is that we’ll get to see the full of the moon, jagged edges and all. From down here on Earth, it looks like a glowy pearl that’s perfectly round. When the moon’s edges are illuminated, though, it’ll become clear how bumpy the lunar horizon is (after all, the moon has peaks, craters, basins, and valleys). Even the most beautiful things aren’t “perfect.”
From the moon to mooncakes to a moon necklace, there is no shortage of moon moments in Lunar Love. (Seriously.) What better time to read/re-read* once you’re done watching this coincidental/fateitious rare cosmic moment? 🥰
*No solar eclipse glasses required.
I hope you enjoy this curated solar eclipse-inspired playlist, though honestly these songs are so good you can enjoy it when the sun isn’t blocked by the moon.
It’s packed with bops, classics, oldies but goodies, and spot-on eclipse/sun/moon references, because why not? That’s the point! (There are also nuanced songs in here, too. Hi, You’re So Vain and the lyric: Then you flew your lear jet up to Nova Scotia, To see the total eclipse of the sun.)
More fun moon + eclipse things:
The trailer for Fly Me to the Moon starring Scarlett Johansson and Channing Tatum dropped today. If you don’t want to wait until July 12 to watch it but are craving a NASA-set rom-com, might I recommend Red String Theory? 😉
Are you going to try this total solar eclipse doughnut from Krispy Kreme? It’s an Original Glazed® doughnut dipped in black chocolate icing, sprinkled with silver sprinkles, piped with a buttercreme made with OREO® cookie pieces, and topped with an OREO® cookie.
What about the Punk Stargonaut collection from Jeni’s Ice Creams? I’m curious!
Happy listening and (safe!) solar eclipse viewing! Let me know what you’re listening to today. 🎶
From me to you, in the present,
Lauren
About me: I’m Lauren Kung Jessen, author of Lunar Love, Red String Theory, and the forthcoming Yin Yang Love Song. Connect with me on Instagram for more on books and food.
okay I feel stupid but I feel like I've never *understood* solar eclipses fully and your explanation was really clear and helpful!! And I loved the moon moments in your book and the playlist!!!