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 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.
(Excerpt) Read more at apnews.com ...
Totality now in Nebraska
Will stand in a few minutes again using makeshift eclipse set up with back facing sun.
Next one due to arrive April 8, 2024. Mark your calendar!
WOW..you see it? ....I’m in PA. and big clouds just came in...dark like a pre-storm dark....will see how soon they go out...
Well 10 seconds is short. If you get the maximum of this eclipse at about 2 and a half minutes when you are near the centreline of the shadow it gives you more time to observe the many details. When I saw the 1979 eclipse it lasted that long and was amazing.
Same here...but not true
I survived! The dog slept through the whole event.
What about reversing the phone camera, so that I can look at it like a mirror and then facing away from the sun and looking at the “reflection” on my phone? I’m trying to find out why this is bad... probably bad for my phone as well as my eyes.
Jefferson City, MO in totality now.
I gotta work so...not seeing much.
We are about 10 miles from center
You can tell Fox has really gone down when we tune in to watch the eclipse and Shep spends the time showing photos of people watching the eclipse ‘on his cell phone’... because he said watching the sun wasn’t very exciting.....go figure!
When is it happening on the EAST Coast????????
My area started to darken a bit. Sitting back down on the steps.
Right. The colander method sounded interesting.
Only 15 minutes until full eclipse and a big cloud just rolled in.
Personally, I’m indoors for the duration. My ophthalmologist already has enough of our money. No chances.
Another half hour or so until it hits the east coast..will be only partial here.
Things have just gone into shadow in CT.
It’s at Missouri now so not long...
Doing that method right now.
He’s scoping out the cute guys....
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