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kevbo1's avatar

Are you going to view the total solar eclipse on April 8?

Asked by kevbo1 (2018points) March 5th, 2024

Just thought I’d spark some discussion and inspiration. I traveled from New Mexico to Tennessee/Kentucky to see the total eclipse in 2017 and thought it was totally worth it. It’s a really cool phenomenon.

Only today did I make mental space to think about driving to Texas for this one. I think I’ll probably go see it in Dallas. I plan to buy viewing glasses early so that is checked off the list, but I remember there were tons on offer last time at the site we went to.

Another tip: bring a white sheet (preferably ironed). Lay it out on the ground and just before the eclipse (and maybe after, I forget), you’ll see the undulating/snaking shadows that somehow get produced.

Here’s a website for reference: https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/future-eclipses/eclipse-2024/.

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30 Answers

smudges's avatar

I’ll watch. Apparently Nebraska will have 98% totality at 1pm.

kruger_d's avatar

I was in Nebraska in 2017. It was about 15 hours on the road to get there but I’m glad we did.

Caravanfan's avatar

@smudges 98% is not 100%. It’s literally like night and day. It will be well worth your while to travel the distance to see totality. If you pay attention to anything to only one thing I ever write on Fluther, it should be this. Trust me.

I will be going to Texas to view it. I will not be photographing it, but I will have binoculars with proper solar filters and a tripod.

Caravanfan's avatar

Here is an eclipse map that you can zoom into. If you go for a day trip know that the roads will be packed so plan accordingly. Leave early with a full tank of gas and pack supplies. Make sure you have proper eye protection. You do not need eye protection during totality, but you need it at all other times.

https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/map/2024-april-8

elbanditoroso's avatar

Doubtful. It’s going to be way far north of Georgia anyway, so the best I would see is a partial.

smudges's avatar

@Caravanfan I’ve seen at least 4 eclipses, some total, some partial. I know what they look like and am happy with 98%.

Caravanfan's avatar

@smudges As long as you have experienced a total eclipse then I’m happy. I’ve met people who think that 98% is almost as good as totality.

LuckyGuy's avatar

Absolutely!!! The center line of totality is closer than a mile from my home near Lake Ontario.
A bunch of friends are coming over to enjoy it – even if we have bad weather.

Forever_Free's avatar

Of Course. My Camera filters are ready as well.
My house is at 95.3% max coverage.
I plan on driving to Saranac Lake, NY as there will be 3 min 31 sec of Totality.

Blackwater_Park's avatar

I am, my avatar is the test of my camera rig for it.

Caravanfan's avatar

@Blackwater_Park Nice shot of the recent sunspot. What’s your rig?

Blackwater_Park's avatar

It’s cheap. The solar scope that astronomers without borders sells with a beefier tripod and a planetary camera that I bairly know how to use. That was an impressive, active sunspot. Surprised to see the sun already giving us a show

Dutchess_III's avatar

@Caravanfan came to within a 3 hour drive from me for the 2017 eclipse. I was so mad at Rick for refusing to meet up with him!

I’ll be on the look out for this one. Thanks Kevbo.

Caravanfan's avatar

@Dutchess_III I only yelled at you about it back then. But do you listen to me? Nooooooooooo

Dutchess_III's avatar

You sound like my husband @Caravanfan!

Dutchess_III's avatar

BTW I answered a medical question for you @Caravanfan. Sniff.

Caravanfan's avatar

Probably better than I could

Dutchess_III's avatar

Well, I told them to get drunk and cut the thing off!

LuckyGuy's avatar

It looks like I’ll have about 50— 80 people visiting. Still plenty of room to park campers and cars. I’ve go the space and will will have enough food. A couple of people volunteered to man the grills and help serve. My neighbors have also agreed to handle any overflow.
Plug in your camper and make a donation to their favorite charity.
Now I just need clear weather. Even if it’s cloudy the effect will be amazing!

jonsblond's avatar

It’s not a priority for me.

Dutchess_III's avatar

So jealous LuckyGuy!

LuckyGuy's avatar

@Dutchess_III Fire up that RV and start driving! I’ll hook you up! For Free!

jonsblond's avatar

My apologies if my previous response came across as negative. I live in southern Wisconsin and I would need to drive four hours (on a good day) south east through northern Illinois traffic to reach Indiana. I would be traveling with all the Chicago traffic in hopes of it not being a cloudy day. I finally got my father to move up to Wisconsin from Illinois so I wouldn’t have to deal with Illinois drivers. It just isn’t worth the stress. I’ll enjoy the 90% I’ll get from home.

LuckyGuy's avatar

@jonsblond No worries! I wasn’t offended.

I am serious about hooking up RVs and campers. Come on over if you’ve got one. Make a vacation for week to see Niagara Falls, the NY Finger Lakes region, plus a whole lot of other things in the area. .

LuckyGuy's avatar

Well? Who’s coming? It’s only 2 weeks away!

I’m guessing there will be about 40 people here. Fun!

Forever_Free's avatar

@LuckyGuy Have you named your party yet?
Will you be serving Oreo’s that slowly show the stuffing and then mask it out only to see it shift more to see the stuffing again?
I am driving up to Plattsburg, NY. Let hope for no clouds.

LuckyGuy's avatar

Ooooo…. I like the Oreos idea. We’ll have to get a couple of boxes. No name yet!

EclipseFest?

kevbo1's avatar

@LuckyGuy, Moon Pies are also thematic.

Forever_Free's avatar

^^ You serve Moon Pies or Half Moon Cookies and I’ll be there!!

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