Eclipse

[JEBar]

for folks who may be interested :

"On August 21, 2017, millions of people across the United States will see nature's most wondrous spectacle — a total eclipse of the Sun. It is a scene of unimaginable beauty; the Moon completely blocks the Sun, daytime becomes a deep twilight, and the Sun’s corona shimmers in the darkened sky. "

a guide to understand, prepare for, and view this beautiful celestial event can be found at this link : https://www.greatamericaneclipse.com/

[daytime dave]

Very cool.

[Sir Henry]

I bet we will have real high tides.

[Jdl447]

Anyone in the path? 80% at 2:15 EDT here.
Pics welcomed!

[JEBar]

who is planning to watch the eclipse ?

[Cofisher]

I am at my son's house, just north of Seward Ne. We are inside the window of totality. Sounds ominous huh? Hoping to have3-6 grandkids here to see. I have a good welding lens for direct viewing and will make pinhole type displays also. It's going to be fun. Anybody else have plans?

[CT_Shooter]

CT isn't going to see a total eclipse even if we have a cloudless sky, but I'll surely watch the NASA video of it as it crosses the USA ( a bit as if I were there, like watching the moon landing so many years ago).

[Cowboy Gun Fan]

Suppose to be 90% here. But unless I find some correct eye wear, I'll just be happy enough to witness the darkness. I'll watch the other part on TV, lol.

[PT7]

Cowboy, I believe your comments are spot-on regarding the correct eye wear.

Earlier this week I saw a local KC news report, which cautioned people about the possibility that some safety eye wear listed on amazon (guess it can be listed anywhere) might not work correctly. That's a serious consideration.

In searching for info, the web site I've read the most is posted by the American Astronomical Society/National Science Foundation. https://eclipse.aas.org/resources/solar-filters This caution particularly caught my eye as it contains a couple of big-time "if" comments:

As long as you can trace your filters to a reputable vendor or other reliable source, and as long as they have the ISO logo and a statement attesting to their ISO 12312-2 compliance, you should have nothing to worry about.

The event details are also quite interesting. The article identified a "path of the total solar eclipse," which is roughly about 70 miles wide. That distance is where persons would be in the best position to view a total eclipse event.

Additionally the article stated: "At any given location within the path of the Moon's shadow, the total eclipse lasts at most 2 minutes 40 seconds." In St. Joseph, MO, which is located a scant 36 miles north of me, the eclipse is estimated to last 2 minutes 39 seconds --- almost max time frame! This city was noted as one of the ten best spots in the U.S. for this event, because it is right on the centerline of the eclipse path and one of the longest durations of the event. I'm betting there will be huge traffic jams there next Monday!!

All this stuff sounds pretty exciting! But for myself, I'll be content with viewing through TV or internet news reports. During the eclipse, I'll also enjoy sitting on my patio, with the upstairs apartment wood deck above me, and watch the "darkness" happen. There is no way to recover if I made any mistake in using incorrect eye protection, or viewing the eclipse improperly. My elder eyes still enjoy shooting, and I plan to not take any chances on making any viewing goofs!

Suppose to be 90% here. But unless I find some correct eye wear, I'll just be happy enough to witness the darkness. I'll watch the other part on TV, lol.

[JBlaisdell]

If you don't have the glasses, you can watch it with a makeshift pinhole camera. Take an index card and punch a small, clean hole in it. Standing back towards the sun, hold the card with another a few inches below so the sunlight goes through the hole and falls onto the second card. You will see the image of the eclipse without risking eye damage.

[JEBar]

what's the weather forecast in your area during the eclipse ? .... in our part of NC they are forecasting good weather for viewing/photographing the eclipse

[Les]

It's definitely not an event that is easily forgotten. I hope you all manage to get a good viewing day.

[Cofisher]

It's going to be hit or miss in Ne. Son's house is in the path, but sun and clouds predicted. We are just believing the best will happen. Faith is a grand thing.

[PT7]

There is now predicted partial cloudiness Monday AM, and potential PM thunderstorms here in northern MO. There still is a window surrounding the actual eclipse time, where it may remain mostly clear. Shall see. The weather may put some damper on the St. Joseph, MO location being one of the "totality" sites in the country.

I'd like to post another interesting safety commentary, which I found on the internet today. It points out some things NOT TO DO during the eclipse. I didn't know about everything mentioned in this article. Since I'm in the path of "totality," I especially am looking forward to experiencing point #5.....that sounds really cool.

Thought I'd pass this on to everyone. Have a very safe and enjoyable eclipse experience!!

5 things NOT to do during the eclipse
Posted in "TODAY" by A. Pawlowski and Erika Edwards

Don't make these mistakes on Monday. The Great American Eclipse is inspiring a great frenzy, with millions of people preparing to get the best look possible as the moon covers the sun on Monday.

All of North America will be treated to at least a partial eclipse, with a full eclipse visible in 14 states.
Are you ready for the spectacular sight? The biggest thing to remember is to never look directly at the sun without the proper protection.

Here are the main "do nots" you should know about:

1. Don't use do-it-yourself solar filters
Eclipse viewing glasses with solar filters and ISO 12312-2 certification are the only safe way to look directly at the sun. DIY solar filters are not recommended.
"People have done a lot of strange things — they take a glass with like tea in it or coffee or something to put in front of it. Not safe," said Sean Brittain, an associate professor of astronomy and astrophysics at Clemson University.
Looking through a dark beer bottle or spray-painted glass also won't protect you.
By the way, astronomers who teach kids about eclipse safety have heard it all.
"One of the little girls at the schools asked if her dog needs eclipse glasses," said Andrew Garmon, a graduate student in Clemson University's department of physics and astronomy.
For the record: no. Animals know better than to look at the sun and may actually use the darkening sky as a sign to nap.

2. Don't put on eclipse glasses and then look through binoculars

That's also not safe: The concentrated solar rays will damage the filter and enter your eyes, causing serious injury, NASA warns.
Solar filters must be attached to the front of any binoculars, telescope or camera lens. Never use small solar filters that attach to the eyepiece, as is the case in some older, cheaper telescopes, the agency adds.
"If the filter is attached to the spot where you place your eye, sunlight concentrated by your optics will burn right through it," the American Astronomical Society cautions.

3. Don't wear eclipse glasses during the brief moment of totality

If, and only if, you are in the thin path of totality — where day will turn into night for about two minutes — it's OK to take off your eclipse viewing glasses during the brief time when the moon fully eclipses the sun. You're safe then, and you can soak in the spectacular sight.
The instant the totality is over, immediately look away and put the special glasses back on.

4. Don't focus your energies on taking photos

Experience the universe putting on a show with your own eyes rather than spending precious time trying to capture a photo. Put away the screen for once and really enjoy what's unfolding around you. That's especially true if you're in the path of totality.
Yes, professional photographers will be able to get amazing pictures, but they have special equipment, training and experience, and they've likely practiced exactly what to do. Your photos won't be the same.
If you insist on taking a picture, experts recommend that you don't try to photograph the eclipse with a smartphone and go with a point-and-shoot camera mounted on a tripod, and protected by a solar filter, of course.

5. Don't pay attention only to the sky during the eclipse

If you're in the path of totality, the celestial show will alter your surroundings in amazing and eerie ways, said psychologist Kate Russo, who travels the world seeking out total solar eclipses to study how they affect people.
"There are changes in the environment, the temperature has dropped, the wind has picked up, the light is really wrong and then that approaching shadow is just so wrong and exciting and euphoric," Russo told TODAY.
"It makes you just feel so alive and so in awe of the world around us. You're kind of in this private little moment with the universe and then it's all over. Then you feel the desperation to see it again."
First-timers have no idea that the world can exist in this particular way, so stay in the moment and take in everything around you, she advised. You'll remember it for the rest of your life.

[Dennis H]

They've set up 10 porta potties on every southbound on ramp on I-25 in northern Colorado in preparation of the return traffic monday afternoon. I'm thinkin of stealin all the tp and sellin it back at $10/sheet!

[Cofisher]

Gotta love a capitalist...

[Squatch]

If you don't have the glasses, you can watch it with a makeshift pinhole camera. Take an index card and punch a small, clean hole in it. Standing back towards the sun, hold the card with another a few inches below so the sunlight goes through the hole and falls onto the second card. You will see the image of the eclipse without risking eye damage.

This is the way I watched the last one. Back when I was in grade school. I'll be doing that again if I do anything.

[JBlaisdell]

I saw a post on Facebook, use a cellphone on selfie mode looking over the shoulder.

[Dennis H]

Senior Member

Joined: Apr 2014
From: colorado
Posts: 5,020
530 a.m. just south of Cheyenne northbound I-25. Normally you might see 6 vehicles in this shot, two would be semis. I stand to make a bundle on my tp scheme!






It's a wonder we've survived this long as a species!

[PT7]

Here in the northland of KCMO, 40 miles south of St. Joseph, MO, we just experienced the time frame of "totality."

Earlier this AM we had completely black clouds everywhere, strong lightning, and a brief thunderstorm. That was two hours before the "totality." Fortunate for our area, the clouds mostly cleared, and it became mostly sunny. But then full darkness of night happened so incredibly fast!! I saw a sparrow zip by my patio fence, probably wondering where the day went.

That all happened about 7-8 minutes ago. Right now, it again is mostly cloudy and almost a little bit like morning sunrise-daylight. Something else to see such a rapid change!

Everyone to the east and south of KCMO......enjoy-enjoy the afternoon's coming spectacular solar show!!!
PT7