2017 US Solar Eclipse

Post by **MaryAnnSpiegel** » August 9th, 2017, 4:27 pm

OK, excitement is really starting to build around here for the upcoming solar eclipse . . .

I will be at the Adler Planetarium in Chicago as a volunteer, hoping for a clear day and passing out eclipse glasses and whatever else they ask me to do. We will experience between 80 and 90% eclipse in Chicago.

What are others doing to mark the day?

MaryAnn

Carolin · Post by **Carolin** » August 10th, 2017, 12:19 am

we wont see it here i guess, but we had a partial lunar eclipse a couple of days ago. it was really amazing, looking at an overcast sky while shivering in the drizzle

Post by **mightyfelix** » August 10th, 2017, 8:04 am

We'll only get a very partial shadow in Texas. But my city is sponsoring some kind of eclipse party anyway. There'll be solar glasses and snow cones and whatnot, and I don't think I'm doing anything, so I'll probably go.

We're looking forward to 2024, when we'll have a solar eclipse going right over us.

VfkaBT · Post by **VfkaBT** » August 10th, 2017, 11:04 am

We're getting the partial eclipse in Tampa Bay, but it'll probably happen during a thunderstorm so no one will notice.

plaidsicle · Post by **plaidsicle** » August 10th, 2017, 3:05 pm

I haven't decided what we'll do-- my husband and I talked about going camping for the occasion, but then we realized it's the first day of the semester so not the best timing for such an outing. we will hopefully find a place to see it and enjoy the spectacle somehow or other.

SonOfTheExiles · Post by **SonOfTheExiles** » August 10th, 2017, 3:49 pm

Eclipse (noun): the act of the sun being mooned.

kukailimoku · Post by **kukailimoku** » August 11th, 2017, 10:25 am

We'll only get 20% coverage, should just make the overall color a little bland.

I'll try to force myself to observe it at the beach. Oh, how I suffer.

Alomentis · Post by **Alomentis** » August 14th, 2017, 3:58 pm

I am in little Idaho Falls ID, where we will be getting 100% coverage. My small town of maybe 50,000 is expecting an additional 500,000 visitors for the eclipse. Things are going to get a little crazy around here.

Post by **icequeen** » August 14th, 2017, 8:13 pm

Alomentis wrote:I am in little Idaho Falls ID, where we will be getting 100% coverage. My small town of maybe 50,000 is expecting an additional 500,000 visitors for the eclipse. Things are going to get a little crazy around here.

I am so jealous! We are supposed to have no more than 70% coverage, but the problem with living by the beach is FOG! I hope the fog will just happen to not show up that day, then I will get to see it. I am still looking for some solar film sheets so I can get the telescope out and watch it that way. I think I am going to have to suffer with solar glasses!

Post by **MaryAnnSpiegel** » August 20th, 2017, 5:03 am

Yeah! Ava found a book about eclipses!
viewtopic.php?f=28&t=67054

Post by **Availle** » August 20th, 2017, 6:07 am

Right, I knew I should mention it somewhere...

Thanks MaryAnn!

pjcsaville · Post by **pjcsaville** » August 21st, 2017, 6:15 am

Apparently where I am (I don't know if this is like elsewhere) we were told by the news to keep blinds shut and don't look at the eclipse without special NASA glasses. Even sun glasses won't be enough.

carteki · Post by **carteki** » August 21st, 2017, 6:34 am

pjcsaville wrote:Apparently where I am (I don't know if this is like elsewhere) we were told by the news to keep blinds shut and don't look at the eclipse without special NASA glasses. Even sun glasses won't be enough.

Yep - thats been the rule at least since my first eclipse in the late '80's!

I am so jealous! We are supposed to have no more than 70% coverage, but the problem with living by the beach is FOG! I hope the fog will just happen to not show up that day, then I will get to see it. I am still looking for some solar film sheets so I can get the telescope out and watch it that way. I think I am going to have to suffer with solar glasses!

Back in the day we were told to watch through old x-ray films... do you have any of those floating about?

Kim

Post by **TriciaG** » August 21st, 2017, 7:00 am

pjcsaville wrote:Apparently where I am (I don't know if this is like elsewhere) we were told by the news to keep blinds shut and don't look at the eclipse without special NASA glasses. Even sun glasses won't be enough.

You don't have to keep the blinds shut. It's just the sun. I think that's more to keep kids from looking directly at the sun.

But yeah - do not look directly at the sun without special, NASA approved glasses. It's the SUN. Like a magnifying glass focuses the sun's rays to burn paper, your eyes will focus the sun's rays - even during an eclipse - to permanently burn your retinas.

I heard a trick that I'll be trying. Stand with your back to the sun. Point binoculars at the sun over your shoulder, and direct the eyepieces to paper or something light colored. You'll be able to see two suns - one from each eyepiece.

I had dreams about the eclipse last night. I'm getting excited.

pjcsaville · Post by **pjcsaville** » August 21st, 2017, 8:03 am

I saw on Facebook (so obviously it MUST be true lol) that if you stand with your back to the sun and use your phone over your shoulder with the camera on selfie mode you can see it. Would that work or would the light reflection still kill the retinas? lol

I understand that looking at the sun is harmful on any day, but the eclipse is supposed to be brighter than normal, right?