This Family Has Chased 18 Eclipses Across the Globe

For Janet Tay, Koh Joo Beng, and their son Jared, family bonding happens under the Moon's shadow. This Singaporean family has spent two decades traveling the globe together to witness total solar eclipses, transforming a rare astronomical event into their most cherished tradition.

Jared Kho, 37, experienced his first total eclipse at 23 aboard a ship between Tahiti and Australia in 2012. His father had already been chasing eclipses for years, and the family passion stuck. "Dad loves astronomy, Mum loves travelling," Jared explains. "Eclipse chasing is the natural marriage of their passions."

The numbers tell the story of their dedication. Jared's father has witnessed 14 total solar eclipses, while Jared has seen four. On August 12, they'll watch their next eclipse from a ship off Spain's coast as Europe experiences its first total solar eclipse since 1999.

Their mother Janet plans each expedition two years in advance, booking flights and accommodation for trips that cost more than $3,000 per person. The family packs cameras, solar filters, drones, and 360-degree cameras to capture each unique experience. From Idaho Falls to the South Pacific to Texas, they've learned that while the eclipse sequence stays the same, the locations make every moment different.

Jared's first eclipse taught him an important lesson. He spent precious minutes trying to photograph the solar corona with his old Nokia phone instead of simply watching. "I regretted it," he recalls. "I should simply have enjoyed the eclipse for what it was, especially because it's impossible for a phone to capture what the human eye can actually see."

Now Jared helps other eclipse chasers avoid his mistakes. He and his father published "Chasing Totality," a handbook helping people find the best viewing spots for Spain's eclipse. His advice in online eclipse groups draws from hard-won experience about timing, location, and the art of being present.

Why This Inspires

The Kho family proves that the best adventures are the ones we share with people we love. What started as one father's interest in astronomy became a multi-generational tradition, creating memories that span continents and decades. They've turned an expensive hobby into priceless family time, choosing experiences over things and wonder over routine.

While Jared works in Singapore's healthcare system and his retired parents once worked as an engineer and accountant, their real legacy might be simpler: showing that passion brings people together in beautiful ways.

Their ship will sail off La Coruña in Spain's Galicia region this August, avoiding the traffic and crowds expected on land while offering clear views of the Sun sitting just 10 degrees above the horizon. For the Kho family, it's not just about chasing darkness—it's about finding light together.

#