Americans stake out prime viewing spots to watch the eclipse (LIVE THREAD)

AP News ^ | August 21, 2017 | Marcia Dunn

[Kaslin]

Americans with telescopes, cameras and protective glasses staked out viewing spots along a narrow corridor from Oregon to South Carolina to watch the moon blot out the midday sun for a magical couple of minutes Monday in what promised to be the most observed and photographed eclipse in history.

Sky-watchers everywhere — and millions were expected to peer into the sun — set out lawn chairs and blankets and awaited the first total solar eclipse to sweep coast-to-coast across the U.S. in practically a century. Astronomers were giddy with excitement.

Jim Todd, a director at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, warmed up the crowd at an amphitheater in Salem, Oregon.

“The world is watching us, folks, because we are going to get the first, best show and the weather is gorgeous,” Todd said. “The weather forecast is crystal clear throughout the state.”

David Avison showed up in Salem before dawn with his wife and relatives, after traveling by car and overnight train from their suburban Portland home. They couldn’t get reservations at a nearby resort, despite making plans six years ago.

“I’m telling people if you want to see the one in 2024, you’d better make your reservations now,” Avison said.

With 200 million people within a day’s drive of Monday’s path of totality, towns and parks braced for monumental crowds. Clear skies beckoned along most of the route, to the relief of those who feared cloud cover would spoil this once-in-a-lifetime moment.

[Paul R.]

Oh, good grief! In the middle of an otherwise pretty decent report, CBS News just said C’Dale only had 10 seconds of totality. They got more like 2:38 in Saluki Stadium, right?

Maybe it was 10 seconds for the “best” scientific observations, but, I wonder about even that.

[Blood of Tyrants]

My prime viewing spot was in my back yard. Got a pretty good pic of the corona, too.

[Cedar]

You are right. That info about the shadows would have been so good to know. It was my fault...I should have taken the time to read more about the eclipse.

100% was incredible! So glad I was off work today.

[Kaslin]

You sure did

[MeganC]

We were in Shoshoni WY for this and it was pretty amazing. I had expected it would be like turning off the lights and instead it was just gradual until it was dark. Kind of weird to see fireworks in the middle of the day! Then it gradually got brighter.

All I have to say is that God put on an incredible show for us today!!!

[Lord Casselreagh]

‘Twas a bust here in Loudoun County, VA. The flickering tail light of a 59 Biscayne provided far more excitement.

[2nd amendment mama]

Saw it in Pawley’s Island - right in the path of totality.It was awesome but the traffic was horrid. Had lunch first at one of my favorite restaurants.

[wally_bert]

Out in the burbs around Columbia was quiet.

I had some Crab Rangoon and french fries to go.

[GnuThere]

I was south of you - Canaan Conservation Area.
Great experience!

[dragnet2]

Looks nice.

I was not in the totality path. However, in my images, I obtained 24 GB of data and I was able to capture an entire chain of sunspots in addition to the partial eclipse.

It’s going to take me a couple days to process the data into finished images..

[CJ Wolf]

disagree

[hanamizu]

it was a pretty disappointing event for me. I am in what was considered the 97%totality Zone.

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Yes, there is a huge difference between 97% and 100%. At 97% it’s daytime, like a cloud has passed in front of the sun. 100% it’s nighttime and there is a black disc centered on the white corona. Even when the sun was 99% obscured, it was still a dim daytime, then wham, it was night like someone turned out the lights.

[hanamizu]

CBS News just said C’Dale only had 10 seconds of totality.

---

I think they got clouded out. Happened to us in Hawaii in ‘91. It got dark, but the show is corona with the black moon in the middle and if it’s cloudy all you get is a couple of minutes of dark. Here in Cape Girardeau we had no clouds and got to enjoy 2 minutes 7 seconds of totality.

[politicianslie]

Even when the sun was 99% obscured, it was still a dim daytime, then wham, it was night like someone turned out the lights.

I had been in a 99% before but this time in Glendo, Wyo was 100% for about 2 min 30 sec. When planning this trip two years ago, I put in the constraint to be on the eclipse path on 8/21. Glad I did but I am also glad I'm not moving for a few days. The interstate traffic even in Wyoming is still crawling eight hours after the event.

[ETL]

Just came in from watching the eclipse in Nashville. Fantastic sight.

Did it get dark enough there to see any stars? And I'm not referring to members of The Grand Ole Opry. :)

(I've lived in New York City all of my life. But my late father was from Tennessee: Maryville. Had lots of relatives in and around Knoxville. One uncle in Chattanooga)

[agrace]

Where I am the eclipse was about 75% but no discernable change, at least not to the naked eye, not sure why.

[xp38]

Yep my take exactly. Ideally as close to the centerline of the shadow as possible for maximum viewing. There are all sorts of other factors like cloud cover which is hard to control. But if you get everything right it is a wonder to behold.

[agrace]

On a related note, I actually enjoyed Shep Smith for the first time in my life. His eclipse coverage was downright funny at times.

[ETL]

I watched a partial outside a local library where they handed out solar glasses. Sky didn't really get noticeably darker, even during the peak here, where the Moon covered the Sun by about 80%.

However, through the glasses, and at times when a thick cloud passed when you could see it without the glasses, it was incredible. Looked a lot like this below through the dark solar glasses...

It's just a pic I found on the web.

[ETL]

Where I am the eclipse was about 75% but no discernible change, at least not to the naked eye, not sure why.

See my post 279.