Great Eclipse of 2017

Granted, I live in the zone so I didn't have to go anywhere - but really if you have a chance to take one of these in at some point - you should make an effort. Maybe not go someplace JUST for the eclipse, but travel 100 miles or so to get in the totality zone? Plan ahead and go visit a someplace in the region you've always wanted to go to? Absolutely. It was like Christmas, the Fourth of July, a rocket launch, and Old Faithful spouting all at the same time. Perhaps the best part is experiencing it with friends and family in for a visit and meeting people from all over the place to share in it. Truly special. Words and photos really don't do it justice.

 

We're in 99.3% totality, probably about 30 minutes from the southern tip of 100% coverage in Oregon. I figured the last .7% wouldn't be a big deal. It was pretty cool. I watched the start from inside the office, then walked outside and found the view from the parking lot was better. So I got the camping chair out of my trunk and hung out next to the car for 20 minutes. Pretty neat how things cooled down, it got dark and lights turned on like it was evening. Co-worker and I thought it was cool.
Then we went inside. Our secretary had glasses from a regional coffee chain, which announced late Monday night they weren't sure their glasses would work. So she ended up watching the New York Times live feed on YouTube, I believe from Madras, Oregon. She showed us the 100% totality and it was indeed a huge difference. The diamonds looked awesome. The 100% was definitely much better, but then again I didn't have any crowds to battle. When I drove home, I saw southbound I-5 was a parking lot (this was at 5 p.m., about 6+ hours after totality ended).

 

I'm hoping that's what it will be like when we know the nukes are coming and the world is ending - we just all get together and hug and maybe have sex.

 

Cool science:

The Ultimate Eclipse Photo Is In: NASA Caught The ISS Flying in Front of The Sun

 

2024 looks like it passes over, or near to, more metro areas than this one did.

 

I'd like to know how they calculated the 2017 and 2014 eclipses back in 1932.
Slide rule?

 

Lucky folks in that Southern Illinois/Eastern Missouri/Western Kentucky region are in it for both eclipses.

 

Best shot I saw of the eclipse yesterday.

 

ICYMI