Solar eclipse 2017: The best places to see the rare phenomenon this August

[Baz]

On August 21, for the first time in 99 years, a total solar eclipse will cut through the entire continental United States. It’s going to be awesome. If you’re in the bull’s eye center of the moon’s shadow known as the totality — the sky will go dark for a few minutes in the middle of the day, stars will appear, birds will become confused and start chirping their nighttime songs. And it’s all because of a cosmic coincidence: From the Earth, both the moon and sun appear to be roughly the same size.

Most of the country will see a partial eclipse, which is also cool. But for the complete show, you need to be in the 60-mile wide path of the totality. Luckily NASA has mapped the path of the totality to an absurd detail.

More HERE



Marking my calendar....this is going to be way cool.....

[Pazuzu]

Don't expect to find flights or rental cars or hotel rooms, they sold out months and months ago.

We're going to be in Casper WY, then adding a few days to travel around the Badlands, I've never been in that area before.

My last total eclipse was 1998 in Aruba, my next one will be 2024 in TEXAS! Won't need a hotel for that one!

[Baz]

Originally Posted by Pazuzu

Don't expect to find flights or rental cars or hotel rooms, they sold out months and months ago.

We're going to be in Casper WY, then adding a few days to travel around the Badlands, I've never been in that area before.

My last total eclipse was 1998 in Aruba, my next one will be 2024 in TEXAS! Won't need a hotel for that one!

Oooo nice! Casper is smack dab in it's path!

If possible Mike...please post pics here afterwards...thanks in advance and enjoy!

[Pazuzu]

You should drive up to the totality, it's worth it...



Freaking Carbondale, IL...2 total eclipses in their front yard in a 7 year period!


If you haven't' stood within one of these blue lines, you've never seen a true full eclipse. Temperatures drop, the stars come out, local weather patterns change, bird go to roost, and then the damned Sun disappears. It's a completely otherworldly thing to experience.


Last eclipse I traveled a great distance, brought lots of equipment, took lots of photos, and all but missed the whole thing by spending too much time trying to capture it. This time, I'm sitting down and watching the event, not trying to save it.

[Cajundaddy]

Definitely going! We are staying in western ID where the welcome mat is still out and there is a ton of open BLM land under the shadow. Our final observing site will be chosen the morning of, based on potential weather and wildfires. My last totality was in Munich 1999 with clouds moving in and out but it was still very cool. Hoping for clear blue skies this time.

[Steve Carlton]

Thanks for mentioning this, Baz! I was totally in the dark. I'm going to go visit my aunt in Portland and go see it! Any suggestions for where to go there would be appreciated. I'd like to be near the center of the path.

[Cajundaddy]

This is a pretty good resource for how and where to see it:
Total Solar Eclipse 2017 - Maps of the Path

[A930Rocket]

Charleston is in!

Now I just need to make sure I'm there instead of Atlanta!

[Steve Carlton]

Then you flew your Lear jet up to Nova Scotia
To see the total eclipse of the sun

- Carly Simon

[Baz]

Originally Posted by Steve Carlton

Then you flew your Lear jet up to Nova Scotia
To see the total eclipse of the sun

- Carly Simon

[legion]

I'm headed to my in-laws place in Nashville to see it.

[pwd72s]

My back yard. Nobody's invited.

[Hugh R]

Went to one in Maine, Mt. Desert Island, about 50 years ago, as a kid, it was cool.

[Dantilla]

Senior year in high school, the fire alarm went off just as the eclipse began. The bell to return to class was after the sun reappeared in full.

Best fire alarm ever! Entire student body outside during the whole event.

[herr_oberst]

NPR did a story a few weeks back about the small towns in the path of the eclipse that are going to be overrun by watchers.
The upshot was 'ignore the consequences of the onslaught at your own peril'.
Garbage, sewer, groceries, lodging, parking, police services etc etc will be overrun for a new york minute and then the whole circus will disappear. City governments that have never dealt with this stuff are scrambling to strike a balance. Get too much "stuff" and the windfall could get eaten up!
Fun Fact (personal version) The eclipse occurs the same weekend as my HS reunion, and a family reunion, and a race that I have traditionally traveled to Idaho for. And as you can see, the eclipse will be visible in southern Idaho! I'll be scrambling to try and do everything!!!


That NASA animation is absolutely stunning!!!

[GG Allin]

I remember one back in the nineties. It wasn't a total eclipse here in Chicago. Everything turned kind of orange.

[pwd72s]

Originally Posted by NotaBRG

Well, I guess that changes my plans...

So, not going to Paul's house... But maybe it would be worth the drive to see the total instead of whatever I'll see from North of Seattle?

I wonder how the flat earthers explain this? Since the moon is it's own light source, and the sun is only 3000 miles away and all. Hmmm...

Actually, the best odds of clear sky is over in Eastern Oregon. TV news reports that all rooms and campgrounds near the small town of Madras Oregon have been booked for months. Here in the Willamette Valley the possibility of cloud cover is greater.

I guess I'm weird..just can't understand the why of all the excitement...we will be well stocked with supplies before the event, and staying out of both Albany and Lebanon until it's over.

[Don Ro]

Originally Posted by pwd72s

My back yard. Nobody's invited.

Not even if I bring my cue?