Babak Tafreshi of ‘Eclipse Across America’ from ABC News and National Geographic On The Message He Hopes Viewers Take From The Live Event
We all share a common passion for sharing the wonder of the night sky, both as a uniter of humanity and to generate public interest in preserving dark skies.
I had the pleasure to interview Babak Tafreshi of ‘Eclipse Across America’ from ABC News and National Geographic.
Babak Tafreshi is an Iranian-American science photojournalist and cinematographer who merges art and science through visual stories. With a passion to explore the night sky, he has documented breathtaking night scenes in all continents, in stills, videos, and 360 immersive media. A National Geographic contributor since 2012, his night sky imagery aims to reconnect humanity with the natural world, to reveal the wonders of science to public, and to connect cultures through common interest to the night sky. Babak created The World at Night (TWAN) program in 2007 with the message of One People One Sky, and has been directing a growing team of photographers in about 25 countries. Babak’s interest in astronomy began when he first saw the moon through a telescope as a child in Tehran. He started astrophotography in the 1990s, before studying physics, then became an astronomy and space journalist and has presented in more than 100 television shows and documentaries.
At least 32 million people across America will find themselves in the path of a total solar eclipse, where the moon will completely block the sun in what will be the last of its kind in the U.S. until 2044. To celebrate this rare moment, ABC News and National Geographic announce the unparalleled event “Eclipse Across America,” airing live Monday, April 8, 2024, beginning at 2:00 p.m. EDT on ABC, ABC News Live, National Geographic Channel, Nat Geo WILD, Disney+ and Hulu as well as network social media platforms. The special will be anchored by “World News Tonight” anchor David Muir and “ABC News Live Prime” anchor Linsey Davis, who will be reporting live from Burlington, Vermont.
What initially sparked your interest in night sky photography and visual storytelling, leading you to become a renowned photojournalist and astrophotographer?
I was interested in astronomy from a very young age, especially after I saw “Earthrise”, the iconic photo showing Earth as a blue marble in the emptiness of space taken from lunar orbit by Apollo 8 astronaut William Anders. One night at the age of 13, I borrowed my neighbor’s small telescope and gazed at the craters of the moon atop my family’s apartment roof in the middle of Tehran. It was a life-changing experience and I can still remember that moment second by second. That set me on a life journey to explore and photograph the night sky.
As a teenager in the 1990s my photography passion was to capture scenes of earth and sky in one frame. I pursued celestial events such as eclipses and meteor showers, often using telescopes and basic camera equipment to create images on film. I wanted to be an astronomer and studied physics but at the same time I entered journalism world as a young editor in an astronomy magazine and a TV program. I realized the power and importance of science communication. I learned to combine the storytelling skill of journalism with the impact photography, to reveal the unseen wonders of the world at night, and to reconnect people with the night sky, a forgotten part of our nature in the modern life.
Could you share some details about the upcoming live event, ‘Eclipse Across America,’ and give us a glimpse of what viewers can expect from the coverage?
With several broadcasting stations from Mexico to New England, this programs covers the eclipse along the path and from different perspectives, with presence of National Geographic photographers and explorers. The program covers the importance of eclipse science and research in better understanding the sun, the power of eclipse in bringing joy and wonder, and bounding us together, also how this sudden mid-day night affect animal behaviors.
Solar eclipses are captivating phenomena, but what makes this upcoming eclipse particularly unique or significant compared to others?
The 2024 totality lasts up to 4.5 minutes, twice longer than the 2017 eclipse in the US. The path is wider and it passes over larger cities, crossing 14 states, and several metropolitan, with total of 31 million residents in the path and about 150 million within 200 miles from the path. Also the eclipse happens during the solar max, the peak of the 11-year solar activity cycle. That results in a brighter larger solar solar corona. I do remember a similar eclipse in 2001 in Africa and the corona was remarkably round and bright.
Viewing a total solar eclipse is a life-changing experience that doesn’t happen very often if you don’t travel across the globe.
The next total eclipse in the mainland US is in 2044 (and Alaska in 2033). At totality begins it’s hard to control your body’s reactions; your hands may shake, and your senses are heightened. Totality affects something very deep within us, even knowing all the simple celestial geometry and science behind this. It reminds us of the greater universe that we are all connected to.
Speaking of the aspect of the show that is live coverage from Frio Cave, TX, where totality will last an impressive 4.5 minutes, how do you anticipate that coverage will showcase the unique effects of the eclipse on nature, especially regarding the behavior of bats and other animals?
During totality, many animals display behaviors connected with an early dusk. Eclipse creates a conflict between their internal rhythms and external environment. I have experienced their reaction in various eclipses, from birds flying to their nests to nocturnal insects coming out. Some animals perceive totality as a short, fast-moving storm when skies darken. This is why some animals take shelter and there is an unusual silence at totality. The zoos on the path of totality are also an interesting place to witness animals reactions. There are several of them in the path of this eclipse.
From April to October, Frio cave is home to 10–12 million Mexican Free-tailed Bats. The second largest colony in the US after Bracken Cave. From my research I noticed mammals react less to the sudden drop of light during totality, compared to birds. Bats for instance use an internal biological clock but they are also sensitive to the amount of outdoor light and the sound of nocturnal insects, if they are roosting near the caves entrance. But deep in the cave they may not notice totality. This depends on various factors but most prominently the outside temperature. In the hot summer days they stay closer to the entrance. At the moment the day temperature varies a lot. So our chance of recording this is unknown until the eclipse day. In the past total eclipses a few studies have been done on them. The 7-minute totality in 1991 in Mexico did trigger bats activity, while the 2-minute totality of 2017 in the US did not.
In various eclipses I witnessed animals reaction to totality. In 2016 in Indonesia, I saw birds flying back to their nests in a nearby island just before totality. In 2001 in a remote wilderness of Zambia, it was perfectly clear and I was busy operating multiple cameras when I noticed I’m standing on an underground nest of red ants which came out by hundreds during totality, crawling up into my pants!
In 2003, I was on an icebreaker to document the first totality ever witnessed by humans in Antarctica. On the eclipse day we were on a thick shelf of ice shelf, mixed in with curious emperor and Adélie penguins. Contrary to most other animals I have observed, the penguins around me had no reaction to the eclipse!
The Eclipse Soundscapes, a NASA Citizen Science project, explores how eclipses affect life on Earth and people can submit their observations.
Your work often explores the intersection of art, science, culture, and nature. How do you approach this convergence in your photography and storytelling?
For me, I use photography as a tool to educate. I believe there are four elements to a successful image: art, technique, moment and story. By empowering a photo with a unique moment and story through art and technique you can communicate better with your audience, and you can make a much more impactful image. So artistic composition and artistic perspective in science photography is immensely helpful, both for public relations and scientific advancements.
Many of the images are taken at iconic landmarks, and World Heritage Sites. These known foreground, revealed in the mystical night light, resonates with the audience and connect them to the night sky as an essential part of our environment, beyond being just a laboratory to astronomers. This is an importance step to preserve the remaining dark skies on Earth. On another hand cultural landmarks are symbols of our civilizations and believes, which appear under the same sky in these images. The night sky is represented as a universal and eternal roof above all symbols of humanity. Under this roof we are one family. One People, One Sky.
The World at Night program, which you founded, has garnered international acclaim. What inspired you to start this initiative, and what impact do you hope it has on people’s perceptions of the night sky?
In the late 90s and early 2000s when I started traveling abroad to document celestial phenomena including eclipses I was struck by the diversity of people who follow the same passion in the eclipse path, from all nations and cultures. I thought about how a common passion for the night sky could bring peace and understanding between cultures. This experience grew into The World at Night (TWAN), which I founded in 2007. We all share a common passion for sharing the wonder of the night sky, both as a uniter of humanity and to generate public interest in preserving dark skies.
Our goal is to create and present the most diverse collection of stunning photographs taken by the best night photographers in the world. Our 40+ photographers are a volunteer effort from about 25 countries. We believe that the night sky is an important part of our humanity, and a crucial element for life. One of the enduring functions of TWAN is to reveal, share, preserve and create public interest in the value of naturally dark nights and we collaborate with nonprofits such as Dark Sky International (darksky.org) in this regard. Too many of us live in light polluted areas that obscure this beauty. We are losing our ability to view truly dark night skies because of light pollution, which increases with each passing year.
Your Visual Atlas of Life at Night project aims to document the global impact of light pollution. Can you shed more light on this project and explain its significance in addressing environmental issues today?
Light pollution is the unnecessary waste of light that scatters to the horizon and the sky and this is playing a very important role in our changing planet. Its impact is broad on wildlife and ecology. Every single nocturnal species that have been studies are already affected by light pollution, from night pollinating insects, to bats, larger mammals and migratory birds that mostly fly at night and navigate their long paths using magnetic fields, stars, and landmark. City skyglow and bright lights pointed to the sky disrupt their navigation system and brings them to the cities, where they get lost, collide with buildings, or die of exhaustion because they cannot find their environment or a place to rest. These facts are completely hidden to the general public.
The Life at Night project is long-term, and focuses on visual stories that reveal the natural relationship of wildlife with the night sky and how our growing artificial lights affect that. About 69% of mammal species are nocturnal as well as many pollinators. Being active at night allows animals to avoid predators, hunt, and stay cool. Life at night relies on natural darkness and moon phases, and stars and the Milky Way to navigate. The introduction of artificial light at night represents one of the most drastic changes human beings have made to their environment. But the solution is within reach and quickly affective by using sky-friendly dimmer warmer lights, shielded to the ground and used only where and when needed. A cultural shift is necessary and the imagery of this project aim for that purpose, to aware us on importance of natural light in wilderness areas.
Where can our readers find out more about ‘Eclipse Across America’ and follow your work?
The live ‘Eclipse Across America’ event premieres on Monday, April 8, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. EDT on ABC, ABC News Live, National Geographic Channel, Nat Geo WILD, Disney+, Hulu and Network Social Media Platforms.
You can find out more information about my work at babaktafreshi.com and on Instagram @babaktafreshi
Thank you for sharing your expertise and insights with us, Babak.
