Chasing the Eclipse

A full Solar Eclipse is a rare and wonderful sight to behold

A total solar eclipse is often a once in a lifetime experience and something many people never witness! An eclipse reveals parts of the Sun we can’t normally see, like the solar corona, and has helped scientists learn about gravity, the Sun’s atmosphere, and even led to discoveries in physics. During a solar eclipse daylight suddenly dims into twilight, temperatures drop, stars and planets can become visible, the Sun’s corona glows around the blackened Moon and it creates a surreal, almost magical atmosphere.

Eclipses bring people together. Communities gather, scientists travel, students learn, and millions watch at the same time. It’s a moment where curiosity and wonder seem universal. What's more, based where we are you will experience a much longer totality experience. Will you share it with Spice Escapes?

Resident Expert - Dr Matthew Bothwell, public astronomer at the Institute of Astronomy at the University of Cambridge

We have been lucky enough to secure the presence of Dr Matthew Bothwell again for our Solar Eclipse week and he will be in residence for your stay, ready and eager to answer any questions you may have around Eclipses and quite frankly wherever the conversation and debate take you during this week. The great thing is that given his background and position at the University of Cambridge Dr Bothwell is well used to discussions on many levels - curious observer, amateur astronomer to expert

Dr Bothwell was a big hit with our group in 2026 and you can expect free flowing conversation daily on every aspect of planets, our solar system, the universe, black holes Space X and more. This week should be a lot of fun, especially for those with an inquisitive nature!

Extract from the University of Cambridge website regarding Dr Bothwell

I am the public astronomer at the IoA, and an astrophysicist by training. I am in charge of public engagement activities at the IoA, which includes running our schools outreach programme, winter stargazing evenings, Cambridge Festival events, and more. I also support IoA researchers who want to engage the public with their research.

I am an experienced science communicator and science writer. I have published three popular astronomy books for both adults and children: The Great Alien Hunt (2025, DK), Astrophysics for Supervillains (2024, DK), and The Invisible Universe: Why There’s More to Reality than Meets the Eye (2021, Oneworld). I give public lectures (past venues include the Royal Institution, New Scientist, the Royal Astronomical Society, and the British Astronomical Association), and my science writing has appeared in New Scientist, The Daily Beast, Aeon magazine, The Guardian, Writer's Digest, and more.