I am very lucky to be only about 2 hours away from the area of totality. Our plans right now are to camp out the night before so we are not dealing with travel time the day of the eclipse. I already have "eclipse glasses" for the family.
A truly once in a lifetime event and as a space and astronomy geek I will not miss it.
Anyone else have plans?
Info: http://www.eclipse2017.org/2017/path_through_the_US.htm
I would love to do that! I'm about 2 hours from the path. Unfortunately, work is in the forecast that day. We'll see how things look closer to the date.
i would like to be so vain
to fly my Learjet to North Carolina to see the total eclipse of the sun... ^-^
but unfortunately i don't own one, not even in X-Plane10, and not the funds spare for a spontaneous generic tourist visit :-\
We know a bunch of folks down in South Carolina that we might drive down to hang with and see it from one of 'ems back yard.
Quote from: MetalDog on July 07, 2017, 11:34:18 PM
I would love to do that! I'm about 2 hours from the path. Unfortunately, work is in the forecast that day. We'll see how things look closer to the date.
I suggest you ignore work for a day. It is an amazing experience and it is not like you get this chance every year...
If you can watch it from an elevation you can see the shadow approach you from a distance.
No photo or movie can show you the real thing. If you're not in the path of totality it just isn't the same.
Schools back in session that day. But our science teachers are planning a viewing with the students, even though we're pretty far off the path. They're got eclipse glasses for all of students, except for those k-2. They're worried they're more likely to take them off and look at the eclipse.
Here's a map of the eclipse path.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.eclipse2017.org%2F2017%2Fmaps%2Fwhole-us.jpg&hash=f3c06e651d4f3aa2b9583ab7ab57cde0266a05ed)
Quote from: Pete Dero on July 08, 2017, 07:14:16 AM
Quote from: MetalDog on July 07, 2017, 11:34:18 PM
I would love to do that! I'm about 2 hours from the path. Unfortunately, work is in the forecast that day. We'll see how things look closer to the date.
I suggest you ignore work for a day. It is an amazing experience and it is not like you get this chance every year...
If you can watch it from an elevation you can see the shadow approach you from a distance.
No photo or movie can show you the real thing. If you're not in the path of totality it just isn't the same.
Gotta agree here MD, if can at all play hooky and go experience the eclipse do it. I got to experience one in 1979 in Winnipeg in Feb I think. My Dad kept us home from school so we could watch it from home and out side.
It Was Feb. I think and had snowed really hard the days leading up, so much that a bunch of folks from South Dakota that had made hotel reservations to come and see the eclipse, cancelled them because "the snow banks were going to Ben too high to see the eclipse"!
Very cool to be outside when it happens because nature reacts in strange ways as totality happens.
Any of you that are going to watch it, you can use #14 welding googles to look through. These are usually pretty cheap to buy... but get them ahead of time because they sell out nearer the event.
Heading to a friend's house in Nashville to watch. I saw one years ago and it is worth seeing again.
Quote from: MetalDog on July 07, 2017, 11:34:18 PM
I would love to do that! I'm about 2 hours from the path. Unfortunately, work is in the forecast that day. We'll see how things look closer to the date.
You're not lookin' too good, MD. I think you need some time off. :)
I'm a doctor, right? Want me to write you a note?
Quote from: DoctorQuest on July 08, 2017, 08:34:27 AM
Quote from: MetalDog on July 07, 2017, 11:34:18 PM
I would love to do that! I'm about 2 hours from the path. Unfortunately, work is in the forecast that day. We'll see how things look closer to the date.
You're not lookin' too good, MD. I think you need some time off. :)
I'm a doctor, right? Want me to write you a note?
I think you're right. Thanks, Doc O0
I saw one here when I was about 13. Nothing like the eerie experience of the birds all coming in to roost suddenly and then taking to wing again in about 30 min. I can see how ancient peoples would attach the supernatural to these events. Very memorable and in-like anything else I can remember since.
We rented a shelter at a park and we're taking the kids out of school and driving a few hours south to southern Illinois to watch. I can't wait to see it. Hope the weather cooperates.
Quote from: RedArgo on July 08, 2017, 09:19:23 AM
Hope the weather cooperates.
That is honestly my biggest concern. Nebraska weather can be fickle.
Quote from: MetalDog on July 08, 2017, 08:50:39 AM
Quote from: DoctorQuest on July 08, 2017, 08:34:27 AM
Quote from: MetalDog on July 07, 2017, 11:34:18 PM
I would love to do that! I'm about 2 hours from the path. Unfortunately, work is in the forecast that day. We'll see how things look closer to the date.
You're not lookin' too good, MD. I think you need some time off. :)
I'm a doctor, right? Want me to write you a note?
I'm a real Doctor, not just a cartoon character. I can write you a note.
Not going to go and see this. I saw one when I was a young kid. They are interesting if you have never experienced one.
I think you're right. Thanks, Doc O0
^ Thank you real Doctor Buzzkill. :notworthy: ;D
Actually I did want to write him a note. Can you imagine handing a note to your boss referencing someone named "MetalDog" and signed by Dr. Benton Quest? They would probably let you take a day for psychiatric evaluation.
Quote from: DoctorQuest on July 08, 2017, 12:11:30 PM
^ Thank you real Doctor Buzzkill. :notworthy: ;D
Actually I did want to write him a note. Can you imagine handing a note to your boss referencing someone named "MetalDog" and signed by Dr. Benton Quest? They would probably let you take a day for psychiatric evaluation.
I also write prescriptions for "medicinal alcohol."
I'm just inside the totality. 8)
Thinking of just buying $2 disposable 'Eclipse Glasses'.
http://www.highpointscientific.com/high-point-solar-eclipse-glasses-sgp1
Quote from: DoctorQuest on July 08, 2017, 12:11:30 PM
^ Thank you real Doctor Buzzkill. :notworthy: ;D
Actually I did want to write him a note. Can you imagine handing a note to your boss referencing someone named "MetalDog" and signed by Dr. Benton Quest? They would probably let you take a day for psychiatric evaluation.
That wouldn't be too much of a stretch. They've known me this past decade. ;)
I just got myself a Solar Filter for my Orion XT 4.5, which I use as my primary portable telescope. Planning on putting that baby to use with a 40mm lens. We're at .9 totality where I'm at.
Of course, my luck it'll be overcast that day.
Quote from: SirAndrewD on July 12, 2017, 01:03:08 AM
We're at .9 totality where I'm at.
How far do you need to travel to get totality ?
90% eclipse only gives you 10% of the experience ...
Quote from: Pete Dero on July 12, 2017, 02:46:40 AM
Quote from: SirAndrewD on July 12, 2017, 01:03:08 AM
We're at .9 totality where I'm at.
How far do you need to travel to get totality ?
90% eclipse only gives you 10% of the experience ...
From here, Chattanooga. That's about a four hour drive, and my wife has fybro. We've thought about doing the trip, especially since my XT 4.5 is very mobile, but she'd probably not enjoy it.
Quote from: SirAndrewD on July 12, 2017, 01:03:08 AM
I just got myself a Solar Filter for my Orion XT 4.5, which I use as my primary portable telescope. Planning on putting that baby to use with a 40mm lens. We're at .9 totality where I'm at.
Of course, my luck it'll be overcast that day.
I've been thinking about getting a better telescope for the river cabin. How do you like the Orion XT?
Quote from: bbmike on July 12, 2017, 05:13:34 AM
Quote from: SirAndrewD on July 12, 2017, 01:03:08 AM
I just got myself a Solar Filter for my Orion XT 4.5, which I use as my primary portable telescope. Planning on putting that baby to use with a 40mm lens. We're at .9 totality where I'm at.
Of course, my luck it'll be overcast that day.
I've been thinking about getting a better telescope for the river cabin. How do you like the Orion XT?
It's a very good scope. The 4.5 is very light and portable, and can be very easily moved around by car or repositioned outside for better viewing. It's superb for lunar viewing and it can get surface details on Mars on close approaches. Saturn's rings can be a bit tricky if there's any light pollution, but Jupiter's cloud bands and the moons are all easily visible. It's not the best for deep space, but if you're going to be using it at a cabin with no nearby cities, you'll be happy with its results on neublas and galaxies.
It's got very smooth and stable tracking as well, so you're not going to lose objects to shake or inability to keep it in the eyepiece.
The only knock I have on the 4.5 is that it's short. You might want a good, stable, short table so you can stand up while you observe. A short footstool might be ok too if you don't have bad knees like myself.
You'll obviously see things better with the larger scopes, but you lose the portability aspect when you get to the scopes where you're going to see a real difference.
So yeah, I wholeheartedly endorse all the Orion dobsonians.
Just placed the order for my solar eclipse glasses. Took the day off from work and will head up the morning of the eclipse.
Quote from: MetalDog on July 26, 2017, 07:49:35 PM
Just placed the order for my solar eclipse glasses. Took the day off from work and will head up the morning of the eclipse.
My Jedi mind tricks DO work. O0
I am the droid you're looking for.
key information in the US
http://alt1033.iheart.com/featured/mike-jones/content/2017-08-08-the-best-waffle-houses-to-watch-the-solar-eclipse-from/
(https://i.imgflip.com/1txeyg.jpg)
At Last! Something the Internet's actually good for. :clap:
Quote from: Sir Slash on August 11, 2017, 11:11:50 AM
At Last! Something the Internet's actually good for. :clap:
Hey! What about OK Go! videos?
http://www.skyandtelescope.com/2017-total-solar-eclipse/solar-eclipse-apps/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_campaign=sky-jma-nl-170818&utm_content=964264_EDT_SKY_170818&utm_medium=email
Would you like to know when the eclipse begins and ends in your hometown? How much of the Sun's face the Moon will cover at maximum, and when that occurs? Maybe you're on the verge of a last-minute decision to get yourself into the path of totality — would you like to know the quickest way to get there? Are you worried about remembering when to remove and replace your solar filters and wishing you could get a reminder at the appropriate times? Are you going to be stuck at work on the 21st and hoping to catch a live stream of the eclipse so as not to miss the event entirely?
There's an app for that! (You probably saw that coming.)
http://www.skyandtelescope.com/2017-total-solar-eclipse/watch-solar-eclipse-live-stream/
To all those who can watch it in the US : enjoy !
I'll be watching it from my backyard swimming pool. Not staring at the sun but it's reflection in the water. :uglystupid2: While I drool a little Bourbon and 7-Up from my drink into the pool and try to ignore the old guy looking back at me.
Somehow I'm glad we can't watch the eclips : predictions for the 21st = zero hours of sunshine and around 60° F/18 °C.
Being in the right area and not seeing a thing because of clouds is worse than being in the wrong area of the planet (trust me, I know because it happened to me in 1999). >:(
I'm sure that I'm preaching to the choir here but just remember to be safe when looking at it guys and gals. Due to human nature's combination of curiosity and carelessness, eye care profesionals are expecting a sharp spike in patients who suffer retinal burns. Your retinas do not have any pain sensors so you can damage them in a second or two and not know it till later on. The only time you can look with the naked eye is during totality (fully covered). The rest of the time you have to be wearing either authentic sun-viewing protective eyewear (and there are apparently a LOT of phony knock-offs that flooded the market on Amazon and Ebay and such) or welder's goggles WITH A SHADE LEVEL of AT LEAST 12 (hard to find and borderline protection), 13 (very hard to find), or 14 (so dark you may not even be able to see much of the eclipse).
If you are unsure of your internet-bought glasses you can try to look at a standard lightbulb in an otherwise dark room. If you can barely see the bulb without any lamp shade but cannot see any light from shaded bulbs it 'might' be ok. Might. The only way to be truly certain is if you bought them from a reputable supplier of similar products who would have stocked up before the demand lead to counterfeiters entering the market.
Also, do not look at the partial phases through an unfiltered telescope or binocs even if you do have your approved sunwear on. The optics of these devices will concentrate the the amount of harmful light to a level beyond what 'eclipse glasses' can handle. Cameras and other optical electronics may be damaged so make sure you don't mind sacrificing that webcam if you decide to set up a live feed to watch the event on your iPad or computer instead of directly.
the office is holding a viewing party on the patio outside the cafeteria; I'll probably just go down there for a bit
For anyone who wants to watch - https://www.nasa.gov/eclipselive/
Here it comes now. No, wait. That was just a fat guy walking past me at pool side.
Trump is making the Sun disappear! The prophecy is true!!!
Checked it out 10:21am PST. The maintenance dept doled out some of their welding masks so we were all able to get a good look.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/08/21/bonnie-tyler-perform-total-eclipse-heart-solar-eclipse/
Quote from: mirth on August 21, 2017, 12:43:44 PM
Trump is making the Sun disappear! The prophecy is true!!!
Did he Tweet about it a few years ago? ;)
We've passed our high mark here, 97.7%. Not enough to make the streetlights come on or the birds come home to roost, but pretty dim. Bought legit glasses for the guys, but I think they preferred the old way of a pinhole in paper focusing on a manilla folder. O:-)
One of the guys here brought in a camera obscura he made. It's pretty cool, but we're only going to get about 60% of totality. Max coverage is in 10 minutes.
Max coverage here was about 60% as well just now.
Lots of people with their kids out on the University lawns. O0
From what I was reading earlier, we'll be much closer to totality for the 2024 Eclipse. Should be able to drive an hour or two to reach 100%.
Meh. It got a bit dim, but the old pizza box trick was a total fail.
Just came in from watching outside with special glasses. Creepy looking.
Quote from: Toonces on August 21, 2017, 01:56:07 PM
Meh. It got a bit dim, but the old pizza box trick was a total fail.
You're supposed to take the pizza out of the box ;)
If the Uggs wearing weatherman isn't impressed who will be?
Cloud cover at a location with 98 percent. Fluke in my work schedule got me that close.
I heard Jim Cantore cause a panic when he showed-up in Illinois. They thought a hurricane was about to hit. :P Kind of a Florida joke.
i am kind of jealous :(
saw the eclipse in Germany 1999, of course and had driven into the 100%-area then
but the sky was not clear at my chosen spot, i saw the dark sun and witnessed how the environment reacts to a 3min- night, but i missed the corona, sigh
2024 is next one in USA ? ...you lucky bastards ^-^
The totality passes even nearer to us that time. Amusingly, the US will experience a total eclipse in the first and the last years of Trump's presidency.
>:D
The US will also have a full but annular eclipse across it, the year before. That's where the moon crosses the middle but is a little too far away from the Earth to obscure the sun's disc completely. It's naturally a little more common than totals.
https://twitter.com/growingwisdom/status/899729406683471872
Despite being in a nearly perfect location to view the eclipse, it was too cloudy today to see it. However, it got very dark and the temperature dropped dramatically. Fox news aired a video stream of the eclipse from a cloud-free location. Kind of meh, but better than nothing.
A bunch of us went outside the Pentagon and watched it. I had not bought eclipse glasses, but people were passing some around so I got a couple of good looks at the eclipse. It had been a pretty hot day, and I noticed when the temperature dropped. The timing for us was pretty good, because the sky was clear during the eclipse, but shortly afterwards some typical late afternoon thunderstorms rolled in.
Just got back. Watched it from some fair grounds east of Nashville. I was able to see totality. It looked like a giant iris with bright, white, light around it. I contend it was the eye of God looking down on us. That's what it felt like. It looked like dusk all around, but, different. Because the sky was still blue(ish). We got the temperature drop. It wasn't anything massive, but, you could tell. And I will contend that if you didn't see the totality, you'll never know what you missed until you see one.
The Eye of Sauron is fixed on MetalDog!
In 2024, we'll be in the path of the next eclipse.
I haven't seen that projected path. Don't expect I will be anywhere near it. But if you are, you really should go. It was awe inspiring.
Glad you got to see it MD. I saw a total eclipse back in 1979 when I was 14, in Winnipeg. Very cool experience. My Dad kept my sister and I home from school because they were blacking out the windows and keeping kids inside. #:-)
Quote from: MetalDog on August 21, 2017, 07:32:38 PM
I haven't seen that projected path. Don't expect I will be anywhere near it. But if you are, you really should go. It was awe inspiring.
(https://herrett.csi.edu/images/astronomy/observatory/20240408_eclipse_path.jpg)
If you look at the top of first T in the word Total for the 'Center Line of Total Eclipse' that's right where my house is.
Start making your plans to pitch a tent in my yard!
http://static.squarespace.com/static/5115d365e4b0b8b2ffe27887/t/53443849e4b0a363b95914ad/1396979815396/
Done! I'll bring the smores. And wear pants. O0
Quote from: Sir Slash on August 21, 2017, 09:45:14 PM
Done! I'll bring the smores. And wear pants. O0
Pants are optional in 2024
With or without seats in them?
Quote from: Sir Slash on August 21, 2017, 09:53:14 PM
With or without seats in them?
It doesn't really matter.
Quote from: OJsDad on August 21, 2017, 08:55:42 PM
Quote from: MetalDog on August 21, 2017, 07:32:38 PM
I haven't seen that projected path. Don't expect I will be anywhere near it. But if you are, you really should go. It was awe inspiring.
(https://herrett.csi.edu/images/astronomy/observatory/20240408_eclipse_path.jpg)
I'm still within driving distance, but much more than the 2 and 3 hours I put in today.
Quote from: Barthheart on August 21, 2017, 08:50:05 PM
Glad you got to see it MD. I saw a total eclipse back in 1979 when I was 14, in Winnipeg. Very cool experience. My Dad kept my sister and I home from school because they were blacking out the windows and keeping kids inside. #:-)
I saw that one, too. Just not the totality. Never knew how different an experience that was until today.
(https://qzprod.files.wordpress.com/2017/08/36577885701_bc2672a577_o2.jpg)
how cool is that!
International Space Station captured in partial eclipse pic
humans...
:idiot2:
https://thenextweb.com/google/2017/08/22/google-solar-eclipse-eyes-hurt/
The Jimmy and Sam show were commenting on some of the dumbasses posting videos about the eclipse...as well as the stupid-ass CNN interview with Bonnie Tyler and her 'Total Eclipse of the Heart' song that she sung on an...eclipse cruise, I guess? :pullhair:
Here's a picture I took in Nashville just before the sun was completely covered. There was a huge cloud blocking the sun before but as it got darker the clouds started doing weird thing (swirling, changing, and disappearing). The cloud was completely gone just as the total eclipse started. It was awesome! I took this picture with my iPhone and no filter. Yes, it was that dark.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.aarcentral.com%2Fpics%2Fse1.jpg&hash=f5cbd4e4aa9b7ec6a15a1d8d506381088e745db8)
very cool!
great pic, mike!
Great picture Mike. Looks like from some creature feature movie.
Here's some pics my Sister-In-Law got in Greenville, S. Carolina.
^Those are good. I couldn't get any of the total eclipse. They all turned out looking like a regular, dim sun. ???
Quote from: bbmike on August 24, 2017, 11:30:07 AM
Here's a picture I took in Nashville just before the sun was completely covered. There was a huge cloud blocking the sun before but as it got darker the clouds started doing weird thing (swirling, changing, and disappearing). The cloud was completely gone just as the total eclipse started. It was awesome! I took this picture with my iPhone and no filter. Yes, it was that dark.
I was about 25 miles east of you. There were no clouds over the totality. It was pretty awesome.
Quote from: MetalDog on August 24, 2017, 06:17:48 PM
I was about 25 miles east of you. There were no clouds over the totality. It was pretty awesome.
And you took lots of cool pix with your state-of-the-art smart phone?
oh, wait...
That's right. I'm the Luddite. But at least I have a phone. Ol' Barthheart hasn't got one at all. :-"
Quote from: MetalDog on August 24, 2017, 06:17:48 PM
Quote from: bbmike on August 24, 2017, 11:30:07 AM
Here's a picture I took in Nashville just before the sun was completely covered. There was a huge cloud blocking the sun before but as it got darker the clouds started doing weird thing (swirling, changing, and disappearing). The cloud was completely gone just as the total eclipse started. It was awesome! I took this picture with my iPhone and no filter. Yes, it was that dark.
I was about 25 miles east of you. There were no clouds over the totality. It was pretty awesome.
I should have stopped by. Could of rolled up a level 1 Wizard. It would have been more fun than sitting in the traffic for 15 hours trying to get back to DC. :D
Health professionals report cases where people put sunscreen on their eyeballs to watch eclipse (http://www.foxnews.com/health/2017/08/28/health-professionals-report-cases-where-people-put-sunscreen-on-their-eyeballs-to-watch-eclipse.html) :-\ So, future/current Darwin candidates, no?
Quote from: bbmike on August 25, 2017, 07:43:06 AM
Quote from: MetalDog on August 24, 2017, 06:17:48 PM
Quote from: bbmike on August 24, 2017, 11:30:07 AM
Here's a picture I took in Nashville just before the sun was completely covered. There was a huge cloud blocking the sun before but as it got darker the clouds started doing weird thing (swirling, changing, and disappearing). The cloud was completely gone just as the total eclipse started. It was awesome! I took this picture with my iPhone and no filter. Yes, it was that dark.
I was about 25 miles east of you. There were no clouds over the totality. It was pretty awesome.
I should have stopped by. Could of rolled up a level 1 Wizard. It would have been more fun than sitting in the traffic for 15 hours trying to get back to DC. :D
I was actually at the Wilson County Fair. Not as much fun as rolling up a Wizard, but, I did beat one of the carnys out of a velvet rose for my GF.