The Total Solar Eclipse of August 11, 1999
Solar Eclipse
Alongside the SKF seminars, the solar eclipse surely counts among my early spiritual experiences. Actually, I was supposed to fly to Salta in Argentina on August 10th for Siemens KWU to carry out an acceptance test. But, as so often happens, things don't move as quickly as one would wish. I had a good project manager in Mr. Zestic and was able to postpone the flight to the night of August 11th to 12th.
It was a warm summer day. I took the early Lufthansa flight from Düsseldorf to Frankfurt, from where the journey was to continue that night. Then it was on by ICE train to Karlsruhe, and from there I finally took a slow local train a bit further south — for the last kilometers into the centre of the path of totality. Everything went smoothly. The train was overcrowded, but unlike the car tourists, we were making progress. At the main station a nice girl gave me one of those special protective filters that actually allows a safe look at Father Sun. I hadn't been able to get hold of one anymore.
I arrived in good time in a small village whose name has slipped my mind, and went for a walk to find a quiet spot. An entertainment show à la Stuttgart or Munich, with music and cameras everywhere, wouldn't have suited me.
I found a field off a small country road. It was overcast. Only now and then could I tell, from a bright glimmer, which direction I needed to look for the sun. Was the spectacle going to take place hidden behind a curtain? The moon enters the sun. They say the sudden cooling triggers movements of air masses. And indeed — it cools down. The birds fall silent. The clouds are pulled away as if by a magnet. A thin veil remains, opening up a unique possibility. I can marvel at the event with sunglasses. The moon stands fully in front of the sun. I have four minutes. It doesn't get dark, only dusky. Perhaps that's due to the diffusion through the remaining veil of cloud. The light is blue - grey - mystical. I write Father Sun, because I become aware of a true majesty. So powerful, and in this moment so calm and peaceful and cool. What a force. What a revelation. There I stand down here alone in the field - I, a dwarf - and have the privilege of becoming aware of this power and greatness before me. I am nothing. The sun is everything and nothing. Without the sun, we are all nothing. The sun grants us a glimpse of its soul. It does so by letting itself be covered by the moon. What a happy moment. And utterly unique. I am a child of the sun. We are all children of the sun.
The moon moves out. It slowly grows brighter. The field and the bushes and the birds slowly awaken. Yet no one dares to disturb this moment of silence.
The moon has emerged. The clouds have once again moved in front of the sun and moon and cover the sky completely. Life returns. One thought remains!
I take the train back to Frankfurt Airport. I still have eight hours until departure. Thanks to my frequent-flyer status, I can wait in the Senator Lounge. The time passes pleasantly. I meet a couple who are heading to Singapore for SAP. There's good tea, champagne, and wine. The television is on, and the only topic is the total solar eclipse. In Saarbrücken and Stuttgart they had bad luck with the weather. In Munich it apparently worked out partially. Crowds of people everywhere, music and tripods. Did they even feel anything? I'm glad I didn't waste my time on a camera. Instead, I now carry this feeling within me! And my new acquaintances are very nice!
Report Solar Eclipse 2026
Map Solar Eclipse 1999
Map Solar Eclipse 2026
Map Solar Eclipse 2027