On the left is a pinhole image of a flourescent coil in a desk lamp viewed end on. The image is much larger than the pinhole.
On the right is a blurry spot formed by a hole a little larger than the image. The blurry edge shows the size of the image.
Posted on 03/26/2015 7:06:18 PM PDT by Star Traveler
As I write this blog, I realize that the event is more than three years away. But it’s going to be so huge that I thought I’d list some of the important details for our readership, the general public, and the media. Hey, it’s never too early for knowledge, right? Anyway, these are the facts.
1. This will be the first total solar eclipse in the continental U.S. in 38 years. The last one occurred February 26, 1979. Unfortunately, not many people saw it because it clipped just five states in the Northwest and the weather for the most part was bleak. Before that one, you have to go back to March 7, 1970.
(Excerpt) Read more at cs.astronomy.com ...
Yes, looking at that sun (or rather ... the blanked out disk) directly, without glasses is something you’ll never be able to do at any other time.
Of course ... the necessary warning here ... don’t this without special glasses until it’s total, and we’re talking about a true total eclipse, or else you’ll damage your eyes! Don’t be looking at it without the right eye protection, either before totality or after totality. And don’t do it if you’re outside the totality zone.
Remember, you’ll ONLY get this experience if you’re in that totality zone. It’s the longest experience for you if you’re exactly in the center of that zone.
I’m presuming to “have made it” since I’m this close to it ... :-) ...
“Then the next is this one coming up in 2017, after that it’s 2024. I don’t think anyone who saw the one in 1979, will be alive to see the one AFTER 2024.”
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You’re kidding-—it would be just 66 years.
Lots of people could be around .
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And don’t forget the birds start chirping and crickets go nutz
On the left is a pinhole image of a flourescent coil in a desk lamp viewed end on. The image is much larger than the pinhole.
On the right is a blurry spot formed by a hole a little larger than the image. The blurry edge shows the size of the image.
I believe it was the 1970 eclipse, my dad's boss, a very wealthy man and a photography buff (he did a number of photo expeditions for National Geographic), purchased a hotel in Florida on the coast near Panama City (I think if I have the timing right?) about 3 or 4 years in advance just so he could have an eclipse party with a few hundred of his closest photography friends.
Side note: When I turned 16 and got my license, he let me drive his Lamborghini the length of his driveway (about a mile and a half on his farm) Haha! As a young lad, he was my "most interesting man in the world" at the time. :-)
There was a 2009 annular that hit CONUS.
Annulars can be nice but it’s like kissin your cousin. I’ve been under the moon shadow 5 times, not including a rainout, plus I’ve seen several annulars and I don’t count partials at all. Had to travel a bit! 2017 I can drive to!
Can’t get enough of shadow bands and that horizon light.
Well, when I consider the circumstances, I’m thinking that someone first has to be independent and on their own to see the first one (I’m not counting someone as a kid who had their parents dragging them along ... :-) ...). That would put it at at least 18 or so years old (from the way I look at it).
SO, to make it to the one after the one in 2024, would mean that 18 year old living to 2044 ... that would put him at 83 years old.
Now usually 83 year olds aren’t driving for 5 to 10 hours to tromp around outside in the countryside somewhere (that’s better than being in the city and having lots of open space) and seeing that total eclipse.
In my case, I would have to make it close to 100 ... :-) ...
Oh ... one thing I would like to hear is if anyone has seen three total eclipses in the USA, who is alive today? Or maybe anyone who has seen two total eclipses in the US and stands a good chance of seeing the one in 2017.
And then, I would like to know if there has existed ANYONE who has seen four total eclipses in the U.S. I would have to be absolutely ANCIENT if Imwere going to make it to four ... LOL ...
Well no wonder he didn’t think it was any big deal. I don’t see those annulars as anything big either ... LOL ...
Since you mention traveling ... has anyone, here, been in those planes that chase total eclipses?
All I know about these total eclipses in the US (and I’m talking lower-48) ... is that there was the one in 1979, then the ones coming up in 2017, 2024 and then 2044. There’s nothing else in between those dates that I’ve read about.
I don’t know about crickets, because I don’t think there were any in Goldendale, Washington. But as far as the birds are concerned, they get quiet ... :-) ... It seems that everything stops.
“Now usually 83 year olds aren’t driving for 5 to 10 hours to tromp around outside in the countryside somewhere (that’s better than being in the city and having lots of open space) and seeing that total eclipse.”
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I’ll be 83 my next birthday. :-)
As far as the “tromping” goes,that’s what kids and grandkids are for.
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I know some Oregon rocket guys who are working on having a high power rocket launch in eastern Oregon where totality will be the darkest so they can have a night launch during the day!
Will they be launching out of Madras, Oregon? I noticed it was on the centerline.
Congratulations for being an old coot! ... :-) ... I’ve got a while before I get there!
They haven’t chosen a place yet.
I make Bella Lugosi look like a Piker!
For the 1970 one I drove to Hilton Head Island. I had never even heard of it before as this was before it was developed.
And, Oh man....
I had never seen......
....so much rain in my life!
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