On Monday, August 21st, millions of people across America gathered together in excitement as we awaited the arrival of the total solar eclipse. In the weeks and days leading up to the eventful day, news outlets and astronomers built quite a buzz about the rare occurrence, specifically because the last time a total solar eclipse was visible across the entire United States was 99 years ago on June 8, 1918.
Occurring when the moon passes between Earth and the sun, a total solar eclipse stands as the moment when the moon's diameter is larger than the sun's. As a result, direct sunlight is blocked which causes day to turn into darkness. This year, there were a handful of regions across the nation where viewers were fortunate enough to experience "totality", being able to view the eclipse in its full formation due to being present in a specific, narrow path across Earth's surface.
Due to the rarity of the event, more than 52,000 guests, stemming from 50 states and 40 countries, resorted to hospitality service, Airbnb, as a resource to book homes along the path of totality. Even more astounding, nearly 49% of Airbnb hosts across the solar eclipse path of totality were new hosts to the platform since many homes were available in smaller towns and rural areas.
To commemorate the unique event, Airbnb and National Geographic teamed up to host a once in a lifetime contest where two lucky guests had the opportunity to travel to Bend, Oregon where they slept under the stars near Smith Rock, one of Oregon's famed spots for hiking and rock climbing. Courtesy of Airbnb, the winners spent the night in a secluded and custom-made geodesic dome accompanied by an observation deck and equipped with a variety of telescopes. The following morning, the winners would be the first to gaze at the solar eclipse before it began crossing the United States.
Leading the contest was Dr. Jedidah Isler, a National Geographic Explorer who has become one of the world’s most accomplished and recognized scholars in astronomy. The first African-American woman to receive a Ph.D. in astrophysics from Yale University, Dr. Isler’s current studies surrounding how astronomical events bring people closer together made her the perfect fit for such an incredible opportunity. The night before the day of the eclipse, contest winners joined Dr. Isler for dinner where she shared her academic knowledge and insight about the sun, moon, and solar system overall.
An award-winning physicist, Isler was recognized in 2015 as a TED Fellow for her astrophysical research and innovative efforts to inspire a new generation of STEM leaders from underrepresented backgrounds. An advocate for diversity and inclusion in STEM education, she has created and hosts a monthly web series titled "Vanguard: Conversations with Women of Color in STEM."
Before she became the first African-American woman to receive a Ph.D. in Astrophysics from prominent Ivy League institution, Yale University, Isler received her bachelor's degree from Norfolk State University via the Dozoretz National Institute for Mathematics and Applied Sciences (DNIMAS) and a master's in physics through the Fisk-Vanderbilt Master's-to-Ph.D. Bridge Program.
While at Yale, her research on black holes earned her fellowship support by the National Science Foundation, the Ford Foundation, and NASA. Through the years, Isler has been featured in numerous publications including Ebony, Diversity in Action, Wired, The Root, Vanity Fair, NPR:CodeSwitch, and The Crisis Magazine. Also, her writing has appeared in the New York Times.
A relentless champion for more people of color in STEM, Dr. Isler unites with museums, schools, nonprofits, and libraries nationwide to promote STEM engagement in all arenas starting from middle school and so forth.
When discussing what makes the solar eclipse so remarkable, Isler stated, "For me, the two most magical aspects are that we get to literally watch celestial bodies align in a way that gives us a unique perspective on our solar system, and by extension, the universe; and second, that we get to do it together. We are brought together around our collective campfire to see nature put on a show. In many ways, that's how my love affair with astronomy started; by looking up into the night sky and seeing something magical that others have looked upon for millennia. The solar eclipse will again bring that togetherness to millions of Americans, but this time, we'll all be gazing skyward at the same time! How incredible is that?!"
The contest's small crew also consisted of Babak Tafreshi, an acclaimed National Geographic photographer and science journalist, who led a brief workshop on how to capture top notch photos of the extraordinary event.
On the day of the eclipse, Dr. Isler, Tafreshi, and the two contest winners boarded a private jet for the Oregon coastline where they cruised over the Pacific ocean and directly into the moon's shadow. The small crew was completely suspended within the path of totality, experiencing an extended view of the eclipse compared to the view on land. On the way back, the contest winners saw the eclipse transition onto land for the first time.
As the events of the solar eclipse came to a close this week, numerous people and students nationwide became inspired to learn more about the solar system and science overall. As more groups follow the lead of Airbnb and National Geographic by working with powerful change agents like Dr. Isler, we can look forward to a bright future where business, literature, and science collide to make global leaders everywhere.
