In the first half, astronomer Steve Kates, 'Dr. Sky,' discussed the upcoming solar eclipse on Monday, April 8th, the history of eclipses, and the many ways to safely view the eclipse from various locations in North America. Solar eclipses have captivated humans for centuries, with both scientific and spiritual significance, he noted, and ancient cultures such as China and Egypt viewed eclipses as mystical events with symbolic, religious, or mythical meanings. Some 31 million people in North America have the opportunity to view the eclipse in its totality, but he emphasized the importance of safety during the eclipse, warning against staring directly at the Sun without proper eye protection.
A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes directly between the Earth and the Sun, and the Moon blocks the Sun for a viewer on Earth, he explained. On April 8th, the path of totality (the brief period when the entire Sun is blocked by the Moon) begins in southern Mexico along the beach coast of Mazatlan lasting for four minutes and 27 seconds. The 120-mile-wide path then moves into Texas and then races farther up into the United States at about 1,800 mph. Even if you are not in the swath of totality, there will be a dynamic partial eclipse for many viewers across America. As far as photographing the eclipse, he advised against hand-holding your camera, but instead using a tripod and locking the focus on your smartphone or DSLR camera to get clear images. Another total eclipse will occur on August 2nd, 2027, and part of its path will be over the Giza pyramids in Egypt, he marveled.
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In the latter half, C2C's investigative reporter Cheryll Jones shared her interview with writer and researcher Mike Kozlowski on his research into ghost stories across America's haunted bridges, graveyards, and hotels. He told Cheryll he delved into historical books, records, and witnesses for his chilling accounts. One of the most fascinating locations for hauntings is Bobby Mackey's Music World, a live music bar in Kentucky with a storied history of violence and crime dating back to 1896. Over the years, numerous people have witnessed paranormal and supernatural activity, apparitions, poltergeist activity, and even demonic possession, he cited.
Another haunted location he mentioned is the Congress Plaza Hotel in Chicago, where a woman jumped with her two young sons from the window of room 1252. "That room is so haunted...cursed would be a better word," he remarked. "They don't allow anyone to stay in it. In fact, the room is sealed off; they even took the doorknob off the door." He also detailed the 'Purple Lady' haunting in Salt Lake City. In 1910, a woman and her fiance were arguing at the train depot, and her engagement ring was thrown on the tracks. When she went to retrieve it, she was struck and killed by an oncoming train. Then, in 1947, a woman reported seeing a spirit in the ladies restroom wearing a purple dress in the style of the early 1900s, which was what some say the woman who died had been wearing. Since then, many others have reported seeing a female ghost in different parts of the train station, as well as lights turning on and off, water taps turning on full blast, disembodied voices and other apparitions in addition to the Purple Lady.
News segment guests: Christian Wilde, Jeff Nelken