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Post by Oz-T on Feb 22, 2017 11:25:41 GMT
The Great American Eclipse
Residents of the USA are in for an astronomical treat later this year when a total solar eclipse stretches all the way across mainland USA from the west coast to the east. You won't get another chance to see this sort of thing in your lifetime near home, so pencil in 21 August into your diaries. Solar eclipses occur when the moon passes in front of the sun, creating darkness for a minute or two. Well yes, but only if it's a total eclipse like this one where conditions line up perfectly. Every month, the new moon is sitting somewhere in the day sky close to the sun, but rarely in direct alignment. But it needs a bit more than that - the moon's orbit is elliptical so if it's directly between us and the sun when it's not at its closest distance from us, it'll allow a ring of sun to appear to us. That's called an annular eclipse and whilst the sky may get dim, it's well short of darkness. A total solar eclipse is our real goal. The path of an eclipse is fairly narrow so it won't be visible from all states, and certainly won't blot an entire state out. It'll start in Oregon, then pass in a slight curve over Idaho, Wyoming, Nebraska, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee and South Carolina, before heading over the Atlantic. Anybody can drive to a viewing location within a few hours, so this will probably be the most viewed solar eclipse in history. That's why they're calling it The Great American Eclipse. If anybody is planning to travel to these parts of the USA to view this incredible spectacle, I may be able to assist with information about where you have to be and at what time. And let's hope that it's not ruined by cloud cover.
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Post by gary2002 on Feb 22, 2017 15:04:20 GMT
We're going! In our group will be two 70-something grandparents; their daughter, her husband and their two teenage children; and me.
Last August (2016), we booked 4 rooms at the Super8 motel in Blackfoot, Idaho USA so, on the morning of the eclipse, we'll need to drive a few miles to be on the "path" of the eclipse.
One of the grandparents (but not at that time), his daughter and two other friends travelled to La Paz in Baja California, Mexico and witnessed the total eclipse on July 11, 1991. I could not go at that time due to my job. They said I missed a wonderful event.
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Post by californian on Feb 22, 2017 15:23:05 GMT
Thank you OZ! I had not heard anything about this here in the states. I'll be in Missouri in August for a wedding,and will consider staying a few more days or go to North Carolina, from there it would be a short drive to wherever is the best place to experience it. Very interesting.
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Post by Owen on Feb 22, 2017 18:04:36 GMT
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Post by Oz-T on Feb 23, 2017 1:19:38 GMT
This should be a spectacular event for anybody who is able to be under the path of the moon's shadow. To get the longest duration of the eclipse you'll need to get near the central part of the shadow track.
There are several phenomena that occur during a total solar eclipse and as an amateur astronomer I've witnessed them myself:
Temperatures As the sun disappears, there's a sudden decrease in temperature and the effect is much greater than a cloud passing overhead, blocking the sun. It's a weird feeling.
Birds and animals If you're in a location where there's local wildlife or pets, observe what they do as the eclipse approaches. Birds don't understand anything about astronomy but they have instincts to protect themselves as nightfall approaches. That's why they'll detect the fading light and get a bit confused whilst they look for a tree to settle down for the night. The sudden arrival of 'night' catches them unawares and there can be a noisy scramble to 'check-in'.
Farm animals can show typical behaviours too. Cows start heading for the barn and chickens may look for the safety of the henhouse because they're virtually blind in dark situations and are uncomfortable in the open. Dogs might bark. Cats will tend to sleep through the whole eclipse because they think they're superior and leave spectacular astronomical events to mere mortals.
Baily's Beads Anybody who thinks the moon is a smooth spherical object will change their mind during a total solar eclipse. Depending on the apparent angular size of the moon and sun, at totality there can be little flickers of light appearing through the lunar valleys. This phenomenon was correctly identified by English astronomer, Francis Baily and it looks a little bit like a diamond ring. However, for safety reasons, this event should be viewed indirectly or with special solar filters.
And a word of advance warning: DO NOT ATTEMPT TO VIEW A SOLAR ECLIPSE BY LOOKING DIRECTLY AT THE ECLIPSED SUN.
It is absolutely tempting to do this but there's a risk that you can get the timing wrong. When the moon begins to shift past the solar disk direct sunlight can enter your eye and burn your retina. It only takes a split second and the result is permanent blindness. Do not risk it. Hospitals always get people rushed in after a total solar eclipse and there's little they can do. To help prevent this, news services usually pre-warn people about safe viewing practices.
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Post by Oz-T on Feb 23, 2017 1:47:32 GMT
Thank you OZ! I had not heard anything about this here in the states. I'll be in Missouri in August for a wedding,and will consider staying a few more days or go to North Carolina, from there it would be a short drive to wherever is the best place to experience it. Very interesting. I'd be getting in early with booking accommodation if you need it, Californian. Typically, towns and cities in the path of a solar eclipse shadow get quite a few people arriving from all around the world. To avoid getting slugged with high prices, you certainly don't need to stay in a hotel near the eclipse - you'll have plenty of time to drive to wherever your hotel is.
I'd also point out that this eclipse is a morning event for anybody on a boat in the Pacific Ocean. In the western states it'll commence about 10:15am when the shadow will hit the beach at Oregon and begin its path eastward. As the states observe different time zones, the local time will differ greatly depending where a person is.
If you're in Missouri you'll need to head somewhere between Kansas City and St Louis because the centre of the shadow passes between these cities. However, both cities should still fall within the shadow. The time will be a bit past 1pm in the afternoon. If you're in South Carolina it'll be just after 2:30pm.
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Post by Oz-T on Feb 23, 2017 2:02:18 GMT
We're going! In our group will be two 70-something grandparents; their daughter, her husband and their two teenage children; and me. The teens should be ok, Gary, as long as they listen to the parents and grandparents. It's often a big problem having little kids under an eclipse shadow - they tend to stare up at the incredible sight and that's when you get terrible accidents happening. Little kids need supervision.
I don't expect to be able to witness this eclipse, although I'll certainly be monitoring it here in Australia. I'd be interested in your eyewitness reports if you're able to later post them on this forum.
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Post by Oz-T on Feb 23, 2017 2:04:25 GMT
And who is already closest with a ringside seat to this astronomical event?
Are you out there, 1jhwks?
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Post by gary2002 on Feb 23, 2017 2:37:42 GMT
Oz-T:
Almost all accommodations were fully-booked by last August (2016).
Luckily, the aforementioned "grandfather" booked 4 rooms at the Super8 motel in Blackfoot, Idaho USA for our group for August 20th.
Right after the eclipse ends on the 21st, most of the group will start the 900-mile trip back to home. But I've booked a room at the Super8 motel for the night of August 21st so I don't need to scurry-around finding a room somewhere else for that night.
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Post by californian on Feb 23, 2017 23:47:49 GMT
My son in law is on board! about two hours drive from their home in N. Carolina. Thank you guys!
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Post by chech on Feb 24, 2017 6:19:10 GMT
I am going! Doing 2 storm chasing tours and the second one will spend the 21st under totality. I am stoked about that!!
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Post by Oz-T on Feb 27, 2017 1:52:53 GMT
Well that's interesting, Chech.
I will be keen to see how you get to satisfy these two goals (clear sky total solar eclipse and storm activity).
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Post by californian on Feb 27, 2017 16:04:40 GMT
OZ, I guess the total eclipse in the So. Hemisphere was not seen in Australia but it was spectacular in Patagonia. I saw a few great pictures, hope we get the same show in the US in August.
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Post by 1jhwks on Feb 28, 2017 5:38:15 GMT
And who is already closest with a ringside seat to this astronomical event?
Are you out there, 1jhwks? Hey Ozt! Sorry, I haven't been on here lately and just saw this. Actually, I am an hour south of the closest point, St Joseph, MO, home the Pony Express.
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Post by californian on May 15, 2017 17:25:27 GMT
It seems I will be going to check the eclipse! Have family in North Carolina and a few of us are going and have an eclipse family reunion/party! Just have to drive a few miles to South Carolina for the day to see it. Who else is planning on going?
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Post by chech on May 15, 2017 17:45:55 GMT
ME!!!
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Post by californian on Jun 10, 2017 3:19:56 GMT
Our plan for the Grand Eclipse of 2017 is taking shape. Son-in-law found through his country club a club in Walhalla S.Carolina, the door of the club house is 5 ft from the center and they will preparing snacks and drinks. It's about 70 minutes from their house in N. Carolina. Already bought eclipse glasses for everyone, but I wonder about pets, does anybody know if it's dangerous for their eyes? Have a good storm chasing trips Chech, I will be watching the weather channel and thinking of you, keep us posted if you can.
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Post by chech on Jun 10, 2017 11:44:49 GMT
Perfect. All you need is a sunny day! It will last from about 1 pm to 4 pm in South Carolina with two and half minutes of totality starting at 2:41 pm. It won't affect animals. They react to eclipses as though it were part of the day/night cycle. Some will react funny. To affect vision, one would have to look directly at the sun for more than a fleeting second to do damage. Permanent damage would take more than a minute of looking directly at the sun and most would find that too painful. www.greatamericaneclipse.com/south-carolina/
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Post by californian on Jun 10, 2017 15:19:32 GMT
Yes, sunny day! Sunny days in August are taking for granted in California, but not so much in the Southeast....Where are you planning to be Chech?
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Post by chech on Jun 10, 2017 19:28:07 GMT
No idea. I imagine they'll plan to be within a day's drive of Denver...so anywhere between Wyoming and the Kansas border.
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Post by Oz-T on Aug 20, 2017 4:42:55 GMT
So, an update for you eclipse-watchers who made the trek to the shadow path across the USA.
First, a reminder to be extremely cautious about staring at the eclipsed sun without suitable eye protection. Sunglasses won't be enough because they only block UV, not visible light - and I wouldn't guarantee the safety of those silver & cardboard glasses that somebody sells from a street corner. Also, be careful about peeking into the eyepiece of a nearby telescope - there's bound to be plenty of amateurs around with these and if they're not covering the aperture with a proper silver mylar or black polymer filter they're risking the eyesight of anybody who looks into the eyepiece.
Remember, the eclipse will last longest if you're in the middle of the path of totality and that gives you a bit over two minutes to experience total blackout. If you're not quite in the middle of this track, totality will be shorter and it will be harder to judge when the sun's rays will suddenly pop out and hit your retina in a split second. The retina lacks pain receptors so an area can be scorched before you're even aware of it. And if this doesn't happen, photochemical toxicity can cause chemical reactions that damage the retina tissue. I may be sounding alarmist, but as a person who has witnessed a couple of total eclipses, no solar eclipse is worth permanent blindness, so please be careful.
Now, if you're in a group of people with some amateur astronomers nearby, check to see if any of them are projecting their image onto an LCD screen such as a tablet or laptop computer. That's a good way to see the detail of what's happening at the edges of the lunar disk.
About 15 minutes before totality about 80% of the sun will have been blocked by the moon and you should start to notice a drop in light - this will continue falling at a faster rate. Listen for birds as they instinctively anticipate sunset and start searching for tree branches to perch for the night. Soon, you'll notice the drop in temperature.
About 5 minutes before totality, keep watching toward the western horizon because that's where the moon's shadow is darkening that area. The shadow will by now be racing across the continent on it's way toward you. If you're lucky enough to be on a mountaintop with a good view to the western horizon, this will be a spectacular sight. A couple of minutes before totality is a good time to look around you into the distance, rather than up at the moon/sun. The rays of sunlight can come and go as they hit the unstable atmosphere and get refracted onto the earth's surface. This means you can get a ripple effect of shadows, depending on the turbulence of the upper layers of our atmosphere.
In the final few seconds before totality most of the sun will be blotted out, leaving the corona. This is the glowing flare of the outer portions of the sun's surface and it is an amazing sight. Some Baily's Beads will become visible at one edge of the moon as sunlight sneaks between lunar mountains and valleys. Then totality hits and the biggest noise you will here are the 'wow' gasps from the people around you. You should get a sense of an enormous cloak being drawn over you as the galloping shadow envelops everything around you.
It's now theoretically safe to look directly at the eclipse, but still remain careful and maybe even count down the couple of minutes and seconds (according to your location) and be ready to look away very quickly before direct sunlight hits your eyes. This is an eerie moment where it feels like the earth has stood still. You should see the chromosphere of the sun , a reddish area at one edge. There may also be red prominences that flare out from the fiery sun. Try to identify planets that are almost impossible to see during daytime. Just above and to the right of the moon is a bright orange 'star' which is actually the planet Mars. Further up to the right is the brightest object, the planet Venus. Just to the left of the eclipsed sun is the star Regulus. It's the brightest star in the constellation Leo and the light you're seeing has taken 79 years to reach your eyes. Below and to the left (east) is the planet Mercury but this may be a bit faint. Even further and low to the horizon is the planet Jupiter. You may never get to see planets like these ever again in daytime.
From totality, everything unwinds pretty much in the reverse order. Again, a high mountain observation point would see the eclipse shadow racing away toward the eastern horizon.
For those members here who are well placed to view the eclipse, here's hoping you get cloudless sky and a fantastic experience of one of the world's most stunning natural phenomena. Looking forward to your descriptions.
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Post by 1jhwks on Aug 21, 2017 0:22:38 GMT
Of all the days to be cloudy!!! ⛅️⛅️ Forecast said we might get lucky, depending on hownfast they move out of here! Suppose to storm Tuesday.
I will be going to Kansas City City Market watch party. My work place gave everyone a safe ISO approved glasses and provide boxed lunch for those who have to work tomorrow. If I get any decent pictures, I will try to post. But I think Chech may be our best hope.
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Post by Oz-T on Aug 21, 2017 3:49:48 GMT
I have witnessed a total solar eclipse under cloud cover, so I definitely understand the frustration. In fact, 'witnessed' is a bit of an exaggeration as you really do miss the dramatic effect of totality. If the magic moment is impaired by cloud cover there's not a lot you can do at short notice. However, you do get the descending darkness effect, albeit not total blackout. The reason for this is that the clouds will reflect light over an entire state, some of which will get directed into the shadow track of the eclipse. It's a bit like the light you get at late dusk, although it suddenly happens and then quickly reverts to normal cloudy daylight after a couple of minutes. No pressure, 1jhwks, but we are counting on you and Chech to bring eyewitness accounts to this forum!
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Post by Oz-T on Aug 21, 2017 7:21:28 GMT
p.s. A total solar eclipse will occur on 8 April 2024 and after travelling through Mexico, Texas, Illinois, Maine etc, it'll head straight through Newfoundland. So keep on good terms with Chech, if you're hoping for an invitation to bunk in with several hundred cats. You may need to confirm that you are familiar with how to use the kitty litter tray.
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Post by 1jhwks on Aug 21, 2017 12:36:49 GMT
Oooooh!!! Now there's an idea!! Oz, we should plan a group tour there with Chech as TD. 😀
Will be heading out the door shortly.
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Post by 1jhwks on Aug 21, 2017 14:46:14 GMT
Am here at City Market. Started to rain. hopefully it will stop by then.
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Post by marielouise on Aug 21, 2017 17:37:33 GMT
We didn't get the glasses but we had 77% coverage in Calgary. It stayed very bright outside but the house became quite dark inside. DH made a pinhole in a cardboard and we saw the thin sliver crescent of the sun.
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Post by 1jhwks on Aug 21, 2017 21:34:02 GMT
OMG!!! It was unbelievable!!! Had early rain in the morning but the sun came out at just the right time. And clouds came back with a couple of seconds left of totality!!! Temperature did drop as it was hot and muggy right after the rain. I just tried to reduce the size of pic on tinypic site but it failed after a few tries. I will try it again add the picture. Hope Chech will post some tonight. She is chasing a storm which will come through KC tonight. EDIT: I uploaded the photos to flickr. They're not the best. flic.kr/s/aHsm2KzGq8
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Post by Owen on Aug 21, 2017 23:19:48 GMT
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Post by Oz-T on Aug 22, 2017 0:37:24 GMT
OMG!!! It was unbelievable!!! ..... Glad to hear that, 1jhwks. A fortunate bit of timing there with the clouds. I hope that Chech and her cats report in soon with retinas intact.....
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