Total solar eclipse 2017

[USGrant1962]

I just realized that I'll be driving from Atlanta to DC on the 21st! So I get my choice to target I-75 in Sweetwater/Cleveland TN or I-85 in Clemson/Anderson SC to view it.

Time for some research, and to get some shades

 

[sengsational]

You really don't need shades...just don't look. Instead, hold a pair of binoculars in one hand and a sheet of paper in the other. You can get a large, crisp image of the moon going in front of the sun. You'll see more detail on that page than you could see with a pair of eclipse glasses.

And while you have those eclipse glasses on, you won't be experiencing the bizarre feel of the situation; as the sun gets blocked, your surroundings become very eerie...hard to explain...the light is just different/weird.

 

[USGrant1962]

You really don't need shades...just don't look. Instead, hold a pair of binoculars in one hand and a sheet of paper in the other. You can get a large, crisp image of the moon going in front of the sun. You'll see more detail on that page than you could see with a pair of eclipse glasses.

And while you have those eclipse glasses on, you won't be experiencing the bizarre feel of the situation; as the sun gets blocked, your surroundings become very eerie...hard to explain...the light is just different/weird.

Yes, I'll probably do something like this: https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/binoculars-telescope-projector.html

I could use my 10" Dobsonian, but it would prob make a laser beam and burn through the paper is a second - not to mention toasting the ocular.

 

[sengsational]

I could use my 10" Dobsonian, but it would prob make a laser beam and burn through the paper is a second - not to mention toasting the ocular.

Don't even think of using a telescope! In about 2 seconds, all the plastic would be melted into liquid or on fire

Binoculars don't concentrate that much sunlight, and I've always just held the binoculars (never had a tripod), so not enough time for anything to get hot. But the link you posted, yep, that's the idea.

 

[USGrant1962]

Don't even think of using a telescope! In about 2 seconds, all the plastic would be melted into liquid or on fire

Binoculars don't concentrate that much sunlight, and I've always just held the binoculars (never had a tripod), so not enough time for anything to get hot. But the link you posted, yep, that's the idea.

I know, I was joking about the scope. Try looking at the moon with a 10" light bucket - it is blinding, even stopped down to 4 inches.

 

[GalaxyBoy]

I just realized that I'll be driving from Atlanta to DC on the 21st! So I get my choice to target I-75 in Sweetwater/Cleveland TN or I-85 in Clemson/Anderson SC to view it.

Time for some research, and to get some shades

Hope you get clear skies AND interstates!

 

[mamadogmamacat]

It will be 97% totality here in metro ATL. I'm not at all mobile except for short local drives of less than say 50 miles what with the pets needing so much care. So, it will be me and the dog plus a cat or two viewing in the back yard. The 97% is supposed to be at 2:36 EST with the whole process itself lasting from approx 1 pm to 4 pm. For anyone else in the area who can get away for longer, the town of Blue Ridge GA (worth a trip for the mtn scenery anytime) is supposed to be in the 100% band.

 

[FiveDriver]

Somebody on this thread posted a link to a terrific map which showed the progress of this Eclipse with a little symbol of the darkened Sun on the Map.

Of course, if you want to hide something.....put it on the internet and don't bookmark it !!

Does anybody recall that linky ??

 

[ExFlyBoy5]

I just realized that I'll be driving from Atlanta to DC on the 21st! So I get my choice to target I-75 in Sweetwater/Cleveland TN or I-85 in Clemson/Anderson SC to view it.

Time for some research, and to get some shades

I would be ready for some um...interesting...traffic behavior during this period. You couldn't pay me enough to be anywhere on an interstate during that time if it's in the totality area.

It will be 97% totality here in metro ATL. I'm not at all mobile except for short local drives of less than say 50 miles what with the pets needing so much care. So, it will be me and the dog plus a cat or two viewing in the back yard. The 97% is supposed to be at 2:36 EST with the whole process itself lasting from approx 1 pm to 4 pm. For anyone else in the area who can get away for longer, the town of Blue Ridge GA (worth a trip for the mtn scenery anytime) is supposed to be in the 100% band.

No way I would go to any of the "tourist" traps of N. Georgia...I think it will be absolute madness. We do have some friends that have a cabin that is smack dab in the middle of the totality (Tellico Plains, TN) but I am not sure it would be worth the drive back and forth, and with my luck it would be cloudy, anyway!

 

[omni550]

Somebody on this thread posted a link to a terrific map which showed the progress of this Eclipse with a little symbol of the darkened Sun on the Map.

Of course, if you want to hide something.....put it on the internet and don't bookmark it !!

Does anybody recall that linky ??

Perhaps this one? https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/eclipse-maps

If not, there are other maps on the eclipse2017.nasa.gov site.

omni

 

[GalaxyBoy]

Here's a good one. Note that times are in Universal Time (UT) that must be corrected for your time zone.

USA - 2017 August 21 Total Solar Eclipse - Interactive Google Map - Xavier Jubier

 

[sengsational]

I would be ready for some um...interesting...traffic behavior during this period. You couldn't pay me enough to be anywhere on an interstate during that time if it's in the totality area.

I'd say if you drove up the Interstate from a big city like Atlanta, you'd get some traffic, but I just don't see that traffic is going to be a huge deal, for the most part; not everybody in the country even cares to witness it and there's no shortage of places to view it. Yeah, places like downtown Charleston are going to be a zoo, but there are thousands of rural roads where people can hang out, and even Interstates have so many miles of totality that you probably don't need to be near anyone.

For instance, I-85, north of Atlanta, there's more than 60 miles of road where you could stop and get totality. The amateurs will probably all pile in the middle, but being in the center just buys you a couple extra seconds. It's actually cooler to be on an edge, since the edge effects last longer there.

 

[USGrant1962]

For instance, I-85, north of Atlanta, there's more than 60 miles of road where you could stop and get totality. The amateurs will probably all pile in the middle, but being in the center just buys you a couple extra seconds. It's actually cooler to be on an edge, since the edge effects last longer there.

Good thought. I was also using the map referenced by Galaxyboy at USA - 2017 August 21 Total Solar Eclipse - Interactive Google Map - Xavier Jubier

If you click up and down I-85 it shows the duration of totality and it does not vary that much until you get near the "edge". So instead of Clemson/Anderson I may head up to Greenville.

Does anyone know if the north-east or south-west edge is better for diamond ring and Bailey's beads?

On the other hand, my buddy who grew up in that part of SC said go to Clemson - Eclipse | Clemson University, South Carolina We've always been the type to avoid crowds but for this it could be fun.

Regarding traffic and the crazy interstates, no matter what we're driving from Atlanta to DC on the 21st after dropping of DS#2 at GATech, so we're on for the eclipse regardless.

 

[grasshopper]

In advance of the upcoming eclipse, a great deal of media attention is focusing on local resident Fred Espenak (Mr. Eclipse), and much of this attention is happening right here in Portal. Here are some things to watch for.



https://www.cnet.com/news/total-solar-eclipse-mr-eclipse-fred-espenak-august-21-us/



An interview with CBS will be broadcast August 13, on CBS Sunday Morning.



A Today Show interview will be broadcast on August 21.

 

[Chuckanut]

Here's one review of solar exclipse glasses:

The Best Solar Eclipse Glasses and Filters | The Wirecutter

we concluded that the Celestron EclipSmart 2x Power Viewers are the best way to view the sun as total eclipse approaches. They offer just enough magnification to make things interesting while complying with all the relevant ISO safety standards.

 

[RunningBum]

Regarding traffic and the crazy interstates, no matter what we're driving from Atlanta to DC on the 21st after dropping of DS#2 at GATech, so we're on for the eclipse regardless.

I'd be prepared for the worst. Have a full tank of gas, water, and snacks, and something to keep you occupied if things come to a standstill. Maybe it'll be fine, but I think the odds of problems are way greater than normal.

And don't be stupid like I was in an I-81 tie-up last year. I turned my car off but left the key in the ignition, which in my Subaru keeps the lights on with the setting I use. 90 minutes later, I went to start it--nothing. Luckily the guy behind me was willing to jump start me, and also traffic only moved 200 yards for some reason before stopping again, so I didn't really make things worse.

 

[Red Badger]

I just realized that I'll be driving from Atlanta to DC on the 21st! So I get my choice to target I-75 in Sweetwater/Cleveland TN or I-85 in Clemson/Anderson SC to view it.

Time for some research, and to get some shades

Suggest I-75 (?)

I-85 is congested on it's best days - could be a real tommyknocker for the big E. It would be disappointing to be stuck in gridlock 10 miles before the totality zone.

We're spending the night prior in Asheville, and may motor west or south to get to the 100% areas. But, if Monday morning traffic to the sweet spots is a zombie apocalypse, we'll "shelter in place."

 

[sengsational]

I-85 is congested on it's best days - could be a real tommyknocker for the big E. It would be disappointing to be stuck in gridlock 10 miles before the totality zone.

True, I-85 can be horrific. I'd start PLENTY early, put a destination into my GPS/SatNav (w/live traffic route adjustment) and do what it says. You certainly don't want to be stuck on an Interstate with no way to get off, so check traffic on your GPS make sure you don't get stuck.

 

[CardsFan]

All this talk about driving and finding the right spot is making me feel real good about my location. Drive to my friends farm on Saturday ( 1hour away in nowhere MO with 2+ minutes of totality!), stay in our camper, party with friends for a few days, see the eclipse, drive home Tuesday.

Easy Peasy.

On a side note, I have heard (3rd hand) of some school districts that are cancelling school because they do not want the liability of a student looking at the eclipse. FWIW, I have not seen a verified news story, so I hope this is hokum.

 

[Chuckanut]

On a side note, I have heard (3rd hand) of some school districts that are cancelling school because they do not want the liability of a student looking at the eclipse. FWIW, I have not seen a verified news story, so I hope this is hokum.

Actually, this may be a very wise move on their part. School districts are seen as having deep pockets and being EZ to sue.

 

[razztazz]

On a side note, I have heard (3rd hand) of some school districts that are cancelling school because they do not want the liability of a student looking at the eclipse. FWIW, I have not seen a verified news story, so I hope this is hokum.

School closings for Aug. 21 total solar eclipse | FOX2now.com

It's true. I don't really think it's a bad idea. It's a case of there's no right vs wrong or Good vs Bad here. If the school would have any liability for Wally or The Beav looking into the sun without the special glasses, why assume liability you don't have to? What's the law in that area say about it? If some school board thinks it's a low prob event and they want to go with it.... go with it.

 

[RunningBum]

All this talk about driving and finding the right spot is making me feel real good about my location. Drive to my friends farm on Saturday ( 1hour away in nowhere MO with 2+ minutes of totality!), stay in our camper, party with friends for a few days, see the eclipse, drive home Tuesday.

Easy Peasy.

Sounds perfect!

 

[CardsFan]

School closings for Aug. 21 total solar eclipse | FOX2now.com

It's true. I don't really think it's a bad idea. It's a case of there's no right vs wrong or Good vs Bad here. If the school would have any liability for Wally or The Beav looking into the sun without the special glasses, why assume liability you don't have to? What's the law in that area say about it? If some school board thinks it's a low prob event and they want to go with it.... go with it.

I guess I'm showing my age. "Back in the day" this would have been an all school science project. Track the eclipse, document what happens, watch the eclipse and write a story about it! What did it look like? Did the animals really stop moving? Did it get cold? How cold?

Now we say, go inside, shut your eyes, don't look, and don't sue. What a shame.

 

[Jerry1]

Somebody on this thread posted a link to a terrific map which showed the progress of this Eclipse with a little symbol of the darkened Sun on the Map.

Of course, if you want to hide something.....put it on the internet and don't bookmark it !!

Does anybody recall that linky ??

I think this is the one.

USA - 2017 August 21 Total Solar Eclipse - Interactive Google Map - Xavier Jubier

 

[W2R]

I guess I'm showing my age. "Back in the day" this would have been an all school science project. Track the eclipse, document what happens, watch the eclipse and write a story about it! What did it look like? Did the animals really stop moving? Did it get cold? How cold?

Yes, yes, yes!!! And more.

Now we say, go inside, shut your eyes, don't look, and don't sue. What a shame.

We had it great, and lived in the best and most amazing time, when events like this were tremendous educational opportunities for kids. Being a kid today is pretty tough.