The Great American Solar Eclipse

[AstroParticipant 2045]

I have been an armature Astronomer since 1977. I started the Master Observers in the Astronomical League and am one of two Master Observers in Tennessee and also founded the AL Master Observers Network. I am the founder of the Knoxville Observers Astronomy Club. So one might say I know a thing or two about the hobby. I have logged about 1,500 objects but know that is only a start.

The Solar Eclipse on August 21st is an event I have anticipated for years. If there is any way you can see it, you will regret not seeing it. Let me give you some advice:

If you are in an area with high humidity (as I am in Knoxville), when the moon covers the sun, the temperature will drop. This can create clouds on its own in humid areas. So I am going to a sports bar north of Beatrice, Nebraska on highway 77 (weather permitting) in which the center of the Eclipse will go directly over. I have a 6″ Newtonian Reflector Telescope with a solar filter. I was born in Lincoln, Nebraska but my family moved when I was 3 years old.

Where ever you are in the eclipse zone, be ready to roll because mother nature sets the terms as to where one can see the eclipse. Once you have a clear sky, you will experience a very rare event. In the middle of the day: Rooters will crow, stars and planets will show. Mercury and Mars are near the sun but you will be overwhelmed by the eclipse. Totality will only last about two and a half minutes but the sky will become as dark as night in the middle of day. This is an event far more rare than a lunar eclipse and greater than the annular eclipse I witnessed in Georgia in 1984. It starts at 11:38am central and reaches totality near 1:02pm.

[Faust For ScienceParticipant 22521]

I regret I will not be able to attend the areas where the eclipse is happening. But, for those people in those areas, I hope you enjoy the event and take proper safety measures.

Never look at a eclipse with your bare eyes. You will go permanently blind.

[AstroParticipant 2045]

Faust For Science wrote:

Never look at a eclipse with your bare eyes. You will go permanently blind.

Not true but it will damage your eyes just as it will if one stares at the sun normally except during eclipse totality. Your eyes have no nerves to tell you of the damage but it can still reduce vision. However, one can look at the eclipse during totality as the sun is covered by the moon. In fact, I can remove my solar filter from my telescope for two and a half minutes during totality. I will know when to put the solar filter back on. In that short time, I will be able to see the corona and flares with my telescope and be perfectly safe. After that, I will have to put the Solar Filter back on my telescope if I don’t want to go blind. You see, the light of the sun will be at least 28 times greater in my telescope once totality ends. Viewing a total eclipse with bare eyes causing blindness is a myth, just be sure to protect your eyes once the sun starts to brighten.

[AstroParticipant 2045]

Faust For Science wrote:

Never look at a eclipse with your bare eyes. You will go permanently blind.

I went to Walmart yesterday and they are selling eclipse glasses for a dollar. Use them to see the sun whenever you wish (even right now) but you will not need them during eclipse totality. Number #14 wielders glass also works and #13 Wielders glass is acceptable. Mylar also works. During totality, no eye protection is needed. Just be sure you stop looking without the glasses once the sky brightens and bailey beads show on the sun.

[DorkShitParticipant 4353]

Have a 6 inch celestron. Will have camera on it.

Telescopes are amazing with all the tech stuff. Pretty much a computer. Auto rotates to whatever

I use sky map app as well.

Peace brothers

[SamsquanchParticipant 4226]

DorkShit wrote:

Have a 6 inch celestron. Will have camera on it.

Telescopes are amazing with all the tech stuff. Pretty much a computer. Auto rotates to whatever

I use sky map app as well.

Please post your pictures after the event. I remember watching one here back in the 4th grade and it was quite amazing. I won’t be anywhere near the eclipse path this time though.

[KolaxisParticipant 668]

I’ll be watching from Columbia, MO.

Jackie: How do you write women so well?
Melvin Udall: I think of a man and I take away reason and accountability.

[ResParticipant 542]

Sadly I will be working, but also only in the zone of partial eclipse here in Orlando. Keep in mind that the exact time of the eclipse varies depending upon where you are in the path, there is no fixed time.

Mr. Boats: "'Avoid the reeking herd! Shun the polluted flock! Live like that stoic bird, the eagle of the rock!' You know what that means, son?" -American Splendor

[GregB0Participant]

Astro wrote:

If there is any way you can see it, you will regret not seeing it.

Am in Western North Carolina but plan to watch from Furman University in Greenville S.C. with a bunch of Physics / Astronomy geeks.

​"​My father didn't tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it.​" - Clarence Buddinton Kelland

[PistolPeteParticipant 27143]

Meh, seen one seen them all

[AstroParticipant 2045]

DorkShit wrote:

Telescopes are amazing with all the tech stuff. Pretty much a computer. Auto rotates to whatever

Go-to’s and slew-to’s have their place as it gets people observing who otherwise might not. I learned by star-hopping and still prefer it as one learns the sky and one is not limited to a database. I have also found hundreds of objects that way. Astronomy is a form of hunting for me except my scope is larger and I can’t take my hunt home.

I have a 6″ F-9.2 1962 Edmund Scientific, an 8″ F-4 Cave Optical and a 13″ F-4 Coulter. All of these are reflectors. I built the dobsonian mount on the 8″, it only cost me $15 and I got the scope 2nd hand for $200. Not a bad deal. The 6″ uses an equatorial mount and has clock drive.

[NerdTunnelerParticipant]

Enjoy sparky…Glad to know your passion is burning away the s~~~ your wife put you through….I didnt understand most of what you said but considering how we are when we are passionate about something you truly are enjoying the life…

I stand with feet apart and let my balls hang free...Manginas dont have balls...See how they stand and sit at the whim of their masters...

[AstroParticipant 2045]

Res wrote:

Keep in mind that the exact time of the eclipse varies depending upon where you are in the path, there is no fixed time.

Thank you for pointing that out. I was going by the time of the Eclipse in Beatrice, Nebraska and the time varies from one location to another, it’s closer to 2:30 in east Tennessee. This variation is especially true as this eclipse will cover all time zones in the continental USA.

Also be warned that price gouging has become ridiculous and people are being charged $25 just to park their cars. Hotels, motels and campsites are booked along the path of the eclipse so one might have to bum-it if one doesn’t know someone.

[bstoffParticipant 4863]

I plan to be at Carhenge in Alliance, Nebraska if the weather is clear and they aren’t gouging too much to park in a nearby field.

@Pistol Pete: “Meh, seen one seen them all”
Have you actually witnessed a TOTAL eclipse? Within the zone of totality? They are quite a bit different from the partial and annular eclipses. The hasn’t been one across the US since 1918, so they are actually quite rare and spectacular. You will be able to see the sun’s corona, a few stars and at least three planets when the sky darkens.

I just saw a youtube video of one that occured recently in Egypt. It was a pretty good example of what will be seen on the 21st. Check it out.

Guys. This is not something you will want to miss.

[AstroParticipant 2045]

Is that is what you must have to see the sun? There is no need for technology but a solar filter for your telescope. Without it, your telescope is useless.

[AstroParticipant 2045]

Not a good place by current forecasts but who knows?

[AstroParticipant 2045]

GregB0 wrote:

Am in Western North Carolina but plan to watch from Furman University in Greenville S.C. with a bunch of Physics / Astronomy geeks.

You have a chance of seeing it but not a great chance. Like East Tennessee, the humidity is not your friend.

[AstroParticipant 2045]

That tells me you have seen nothing like a Total Solar Eclipse. This one is special and one very few have a chance to see again. This is not a Lunar Eclipse but tell me, how many total Solar Eclipses have you seen?

[AstroParticipant 2045]

bstoff wrote:

plan to be at Carhenge in Alliance, Nebraska if the weather is clear and they aren’t gouging too much to park in a nearby field.

Good choice but not the best by any means. Your best bet would be in Casper, Wyoming. Like I said before: Be ready to travel.

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