Three years of preparation, two minutes of totality. For this eclipse scientist, it’s all worth it

A full solar eclipse as seen in Salem, Ore.

Jay Pasachoff, left, supervises a large telescope being setup to observe the solar eclipse at Willamette University in Salem, Ore.

In-camera multiple exposure of the solar eclipse as seen in Salem, Ore.

Erin Meadors, left, and other students from Williams College help calibrate calibrate the cameras as they prepare to document the solar eclipse in Salem, Ore.

David Sliski works on codes to for his telescope for the big solar eclipse in Salem, Ore.

Erin Meadors, center, and other students from Williams College help calibrate imaging software calibrations as they prepare to document the solar eclipse in Salem, Ore.

Jay Pasachoff arrives with his signature orange pants for the eclipse in Salem, Ore.

Amy Steele, center, and other students prepare for the solar eclipse in Salem, Ore.

Crescent shaped refractions are visible in the shadows made by the students from Williams College during the solar eclipse in Salem, Ore.

Declan Daly looks up at the sun during the day of the Solar Eclipse in Salem, Ore.