umbraphile

n. an avid observer of, or a person with a great interest in, eclipses. Subjects: English, Science

Etymological Note: From Latin umbra ‘shade’ + Greek philos ‘loving.’

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Citations: 1991 Phil McCombs Washington Post (July 10) “Under the Spell of the Eclipse” p. F1: In the Philippines in “88, however, communist insurgents called off the revolution for a few days so as not to upset the visiting umbraphiles. 1995 Usenet: sci.astro.amateur (Sept. 21) “Re: Weather & Astronomy—Weather and Solar Eclipses!”: I do not believe there is an umbraphile anywhere with a greater sense of urgency regarding the absolute need to maximize the probability of obtaining clear skies. 1997 Philip S. Harrington Eclipse! (Sept. 1) p. 167: Umbraphiles, having endured nearly two and a half years of withdrawal, will no doubt rejoice at the coming of this, the first total solar eclipse since March 2006. 2002 [Alson Won] Usenet: alt.sports.basketball.nba.la-lakers (June 5) “Re: Ng Party—Finals Game Three”: Actually, to be a true umbraphile one has to spend 30 minutes in the lunar shadow. I’m only up to eight so far. 2006 Joe Rao MSNBC (Mar. 24) “Your guide to the total solar eclipse”: Many dedicated eclipse watchers—sometimes referred to as “umbraphiles”—will literally chase total solar eclipses around the globe.

Posted 28 Apr 06 | Permalink | Tell a Friend

Reader comments:

Earliest known use (by me, but certainly may
be predated), soon after the 1976 total solar eclipse. Also see:
http://nicmosis.as.arizon a.edu:8000/UMBRAPHILLIA.h tml

by Glenn Schneider 16 Jun 06, 0443 GMT

Not only solar eclipses but occultations in general!
When the moon or an asteroid passes in front of a distant star, the moon or asteroid casts a shadow into space and if the earth intercepts the shadow an umbra is created upon the ground. As the shadow sweeps by the observer the star briefly disappears. A Solar Eclipse is realy a Lunar Occultation, it’s just that the star is up close and personal!

by DaveGault 17 Jan 07, 0941 GMT