Posted on 08/21/2017 9:12:49 AM PDT by 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 couldnt get reservations at a nearby resort, despite making plans six years ago.
Im telling people if you want to see the one in 2024, youd better make your reservations now, Avison said.
With 200 million people within a days drive of Mondays 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.
(Excerpt) Read more at apnews.com ...
So amazing to stand on my deck and ‘feel’ the difference in the sun beating on my skin.....then enough cloud coverage to see it through the clouds...clearly...pretty amazing to ‘feel the difference...
Charleston,SC in totality now.
It’s like I’m looking through a tinted window and the tint keeps getting darker. I can see the crescent in the tree shadows. I can also make pinholes with my fingers and see it on the ground. The temp has dropped almost two degrees on the local weather station chart.
Yeah there is a bunch known as eclipse chasers who travel all over the world to catch them.
My sister and brother in law were on their deck in Depot Bay Oregon and she said it got downright cold for about 15 minutes!!
We had 75% coverage in my part of Texas. It did get noticeably cooler with an unusual breeze blowing. No, I wasn’t imagining it.
Here in Central Indiana, we just had our maximum, about 92%. It got noticeably cooler and much darker. It was really dark stumbling around with those cheap sunglasses.
Fortunately we had just enough clear sky to watch the maximum; there is a line of thunderstorms not far off headed this way.
‘ummmm..... I think he knows.....’
you mean I shouldn’t tell him it’s ‘eclipse’ and not ‘ellipse’...
Careful, you don’t want to shatter his world....
Family cookout just like a reunion in West Kentucky. Perfect weather. Nephew had nice camera with filters and took awesome photos.
I believe it...there was a temp drop here but noticed most in the strength of the sun rays here...I paid attention to my skin and a very real difference from earlier. I burn very easily so I do notice the rays strength. It was fun to ‘stand in it’ and feel that difference in the moment.
Fun too knowing the President and first family were on their balcony at the same time!
Did I miss it or it hasn’t happened yet in Upstate NY?
The birds are freaking out. Blue jays and woodpeckers are working overtime.
The atmosphere is eerie
Just had total eclipse here near Greenville, SC. Awesome. Wavy light bands on the ground, pink spots on the corona, rapid temperature drop, etc. The street lights came on. So glad we made the trip up here.
Bill Belichick is holding a live press conference, during the eclipse, to talk about his team’s football progress.... HE KNOWS WHAT IS IMPORTANT. Ha haaaa.....
Well, perhaps it's just the dark clouds rolling in for our regularly afternoon thunderstorm (I'm in southern FL).
Sarah SandersVerified account @PressSec now4 minutes ago
.@POTUS and @FLOTUS watching the first coast-to-coast total eclipse in 99yrs #Eclipse2017
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