The Eclipse Effect: How to Seize Extraordinary Moments to Build Strong Communities

A total solar eclipse lasts only minutes, but its impact can last a lifetime.

The Eclipse Effect explores how rare and awe-inspiring events—like an eclipse—can ignite lasting change, bring people together, inspire extraordinary leadership, and strengthen communities in ways no one ever imagined.

In this engaging and deeply inspiring book, Jamie Carter and Debra Ross reveal the strategies that transformed communities across North America in the lead-up to the 2017 and 2024 eclipses. From grassroots organizers to science educators, emergency planners to tourism leaders, the authors uncover the exceptional efforts of everyday people who saw an opportunity, took action, and left behind a legacy.

Drawing on real-life stories, expert insights, and practical frameworks, The Eclipse Effect is a roadmap for harnessing unique moments—whether in business, education, or local communities—to create meaningful, lasting impact. If you’ve ever wondered how to turn inspiration into action, how to rally people around a common goal, or how to leave the world a little better than you found it, The Eclipse Effect is for you.

Jamie Carter is a prolific and award-winning journalist and a leading voice in astrotourism and eclipse chasing. A recipient of the 2023 Popular Media Award from the American Astronomical Society Solar Physics Division for his many articles on the US solar eclipses, he has been a regular contributor to Forbes.com since 2018. Widely regarded as the world’s foremost solar eclipse journalist, Jamie is the editor of WhenIsTheNextEclipse.com and the author of When Is The Next Eclipse? A traveler’s guide to total solar eclipses 2024–2034. He has also written A Stargazing Program for Beginners: A Pocket Field Guide, helping newcomers navigate the night sky with confidence.

When he’s not writing, Jamie lectures to solar eclipse tour groups, sharing his expertise and passion for celestial phenomena. His work appears in New Scientist, Space.com, The Planetary Society, Live Science, Sky & Telescope, BBC Sky at Night, and Travel + Leisure. He lives in Cardiff, Wales, with his wife, Gill, and cat Edson Arantes do Nascimento. 

Debra Ross is a leader, entrepreneur, and advocate for community engagement, independent learning, and curiosity-driven exploration. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, she is the founder and publisher of KidsOutAndAbout.com, a platform serving regions throughout North America that has helped families discover enriching local experiences for over two decades. Through her work, she empowers communities by connecting people with opportunities that foster learning, creativity, and connection.

Beyond her media career, Debra served as national cochair of the American Astronomical Society Solar Eclipse Task Force, helping communities prepare for the 2024 eclipse. She continues to lead regional efforts in Western New York. A frequent speaker and columnist, she is also the author of Seasons and Reasons: A Parent’s Guide to Cultivating Great Kids. She lives in Rochester, New York, with her husband, David, and is the proud parent of two independent young adults.