Shot in the dark, not sure how many TNWG folks we have here, but me and the little lady are making a weekend trip out of the upcoming solar eclipse. I haven't nailed down where we are going to go to watch it though, and I would like to get something in place so we're not scrambling. Are there any CAP squadrons planning a viewing party between Knoxville and Nashville that we could crash? Or recommendations for a spot in totality that might not be bat guano crazy with out-of-towners like myself? We'll wake the up day of in Sevierville and can go anywhere west along I-40, or reasonably close to it.
Totality or bust! 8) 8) 8)
Path of totality will pass through Clarksville, Nashville, Murfreesboro and Chattanooga. Roughly, along I-24.
I know it, I'm just trying to see if somebody is having a party that would be willing to accept a WIWG visitor. Wisconsin's finest beer and cheese can be provided.
Backup plan is the airport at Crossville or the side of a farm field wherever.
If you don't find a benevolent host, I hope your car has good reclining seats, there's no way
you're going to find anything in a decent hotel anywhere along the totality.
#1 & #2 sons are going with mom and the scouts down "South of where people are supposed to live" to see it.
Me? I'm going to go downstairs to the Starbucks, order the most expensive drink I can, and then
threaten to block out the sun unless they give it to me for free.
Pretty sure that's a solid plan.
Accommodations are all taken care of. We're stealing her parents unused timeshare points ;D
Operation Starbucks Shaman is a go. Solid plan.
Just show them your screen name here and they will know you are serious
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Quote from: ♠SARKID♠ on August 16, 2017, 06:05:27 AM
Shot in the dark, not sure how many TNWG folks we have here, but me and the little lady are making a weekend trip out of the upcoming solar eclipse. I haven't nailed down where we are going to go to watch it though, and I would like to get something in place so we're not scrambling. Are there any CAP squadrons planning a viewing party between Knoxville and Nashville that we could crash? Or recommendations for a spot in totality that might not be bat guano crazy with out-of-towners like myself? We'll wake the up day of in Sevierville and can go anywhere west along I-40, or reasonably close to it.
Totality or bust! 8) 8) 8)
Check out public libraries, local/county/state parks, and science museums. I know in my area, there are about 40-50 watch parties at various locations, not counting the parties that individuals are throwing. Which leads me to the question: do people actually work anymore? This is taking place in the middle of the afternoon on a work day....hippies.....
This is Seiver County Library's page: http://www.sevierlibrary.org/
My neighbor was going to surprise my wife & I with a pair of eclipse glasses (holy smokes? Eclipse glasses? Talk about the Pet Rock of the aught-tens?). She stood in line at the local science center for an hour when they opened yesterday only to find out a) the UPS delivery was late; and b) there weren't enough pairs on order anyway to accommodate the 8.2 million people standing in line ahead of her and they literally ran out of glasses 2 people in front of her.
I told her that it was OK, I was already planning to build a pinhole camera to watch the eclipse with.
"But don't you want to watch it live?"
"I will be watching it live, but without the burning need to crane my neck into an awkward position and then need the equivalent of welder's goggles just to do so."
"but.. how can you watch it?"
"I can stand there and look at the projected image and not burn my eyeballs into oblivion."
<head asplodes>
JPL already gave us instructions in the event we needed them: https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/edu/learn/project/how-to-make-a-pinhole-camera/
Thrawn, its SUMMER! Probably lots of people are taking vacation to see it...
I would like to watch it but in New York City it will not be that spectacular... And I am not willing to drive, travel, or DO anything.
Maybe I will write a script on something happening, like the film The Day of the Comet... or was it The Night of the Comet?
>:D
I am currently 45 min (normal drive time) away from the totality band (here for entirely different reasons, leaving today), and the craziness has already started. That 45 minute drive is anticipated to take 7+ hours starting Sunday. No thanks. 60% pinhole camera view for me.
Quote from: SarDragon on August 17, 2017, 04:30:54 PM
I am currently 45 min (normal drive time) away from the totality band (here for entirely different reasons, leaving today), and the craziness has already started. That 45 minute drive is anticipated to take 7+ hours starting Sunday. No thanks. 60% pinhole camera view for me.
What's your source on that estimate?
Quote from: ♠SARKID♠ on August 17, 2017, 05:08:45 PM
Quote from: SarDragon on August 17, 2017, 04:30:54 PM
I am currently 45 min (normal drive time) away from the totality band (here for entirely different reasons, leaving today), and the craziness has already started. That 45 minute drive is anticipated to take 7+ hours starting Sunday. No thanks. 60% pinhole camera view for me.
What's your source on that estimate?
And 45 minutes, yet only 60% coverage? What/
We're going to have something like 80+percent coverage right ourside my window, I can't imagine driving
14-18+ hours round trip, not including crazy traffic, etc. for 10%. I just had lunch with a client
who >is< making the run and he said all the airpoprts he's checked indicate "stay away, we're full".
Of much more interest here, (though for me it's only marginal for tha, either) is the A&WS.
Something fast and loud just screamed over the Loop just now.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-air-water-if-you-go-2017-htmlstory.html
The local newspaper. It's 4-lane undivided highway with traffic lights.
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Won't be here on Monday. We'll be far away.
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Quote from: Eclipse on August 17, 2017, 06:59:20 PM
We're going to have something like 80+percent coverage right ourside my window, I can't imagine driving
14-18+ hours round trip, not including crazy traffic, etc. for 10%. I just had lunch with a client
who >is< making the run and he said all the airpoprts he's checked indicate "stay away, we're full".
No beads, no diamond ring, no 360° sunrise colors, no seeing Venus, Jupiter, Mars, and Mercury in the middle of the day, no shadow bands. I'm too much of a geek to miss all of that.
Quote from: Майор Хаткевич on August 17, 2017, 05:49:58 PM
Quote from: [emoji812]SARKID[emoji812] on August 17, 2017, 05:08:45 PM
Quote from: SarDragon on August 17, 2017, 04:30:54 PM
I am currently 45 min (normal drive time) away from the totality band (here for entirely different reasons, leaving today), and the craziness has already started. That 45 minute drive is anticipated to take 7+ hours starting Sunday. No thanks. 60% pinhole camera view for me.
What's your source on that estimate?
And 45 minutes, yet only 60% coverage? What/
We are currently headed south, away from a prime viewing area. The US Highway we are on has had a steady line of traffic (many campers and RVs) northbound since got on the road at 1130. Can't wait to get on the Interstate.
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Well, the Interstate was much better.
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Everyone please keep safety in mind. Without proper precautions, you can cause irreparable damage to your corneas.
https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/safety
I'm a bit lucky I moved down to Atlanta a few weeks ago. Looks like I'm in the ~98% band and will be easily able to see it while working. Now to try to find these eclipse glasses...
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... and glad to have you here, Sir!
*ahem, "down heah, Suh".
V/r
Spam
Quote from: JoeTomasone on August 18, 2017, 09:05:01 AM
Everyone please keep safety in mind. Without proper precautions, you can cause irreparable damage to your corneas.
https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/safety
Retinas are even more susceptible to damage.
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Also, bugs can fly in your mouth when you're standing there with it wide open.
(https://s30.postimg.org/ktgg3vvnl/amazed.jpg)
My wife and kids are camping just East of Carbondale and she said the place was empty and no traffic around 3pm today.
I wonder how many people are driving there right now or over night.
I have a family member with dementia. All the hype may get her out of her apartment to stare at the sun (which she won't remember she's not supposed to do). I plan to spend the day with her to keep her eyesight from getting as fried as her memory.
You guys and gals traveling to view the show keep an eye out for folks who see sunspots instead of the road (or aircraft around 'em)! Best to ya 'all.
(https://i.imgflip.com/11w4dn.jpg)
My camera obscura is ready.
Clouds and storms are threatening the viewing, though much more
so up North.
Quote from: Eclipse on August 21, 2017, 12:58:55 PM
Clouds and storms are threatening the viewing, though much more
so up North.
Yea, what a bummer. It's a bit more open atm, but forecast isn't pleasant.
Yeah, hazy sun in the Loop at about T-minus 2 hours, with some joy-killing rain moving this way.
Looks clear to the South.
(https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/20992796_10214106979978440_7151600094533448748_n.jpg?oh=af69bf3683ee8ed15f2adf72f472974b&oe=5A151D19)
Dude on CNN right now...
"...other then the birth of my children, this is the most awesome experience of my life..."
Seriously? It's a random alignment of planets that happens all the time (at least in geologic terms).
Clearly he's never eaten at Texas de Brazil, now >THAT< is an experience.
I could do with some more Anna Kendrick memes
Quote from: Eclipse on August 21, 2017, 05:34:59 PM
Dude on CNN right now...
"...other then the birth of my children, this is the most awesome experience of my life..."
Dude needs to get out more. Or join CAP and contribute to a successful search or disaster relief effort.
Also, I hope he's not married. The wife might be a little miffed if he is. >:D
Eclipse (Bob)
You have the correct name for today.
Quote from: CAP_truth on August 21, 2017, 05:45:02 PM
Eclipse (Bob)
You have the correct name for today.
And it only took 12 years to become so relevant.
Quote from: Eclipse on August 21, 2017, 03:55:39 PM
Yeah, hazy sun in the Loop at about T-minus 2 hours, with some joy-killing rain moving this way.
Looks clear to the South.
15 minutes out...it's getting darker...but it's overcast...boooooooo!
And...moving on.
Basically total cloud cover in Chicago...
(https://s3.postimg.org/3oyb3ii0j/IMG_20170821_130049.jpg)
The sun is the brighter blob directly up from the left orb on the street light, hiding behind the building.
(https://s3.postimg.org/upc3s36b7/IMG_20170821_130159.jpg)
These people are milling about watching a cloudy day. Note the large crowd on the far corner.
The camera obscura is working well. I'm getting a picture about every five minutes. The overall execution is only fair, since I didn't paint the inside of the box flat black, but I'm still getting OK pics.
(https://s3.postimg.org/q5zv6kofn/IMG_20170821_131913.jpg)
Marina Towers roof
(https://s3.postimg.org/sbu612rw3/IMG_20170821_132024.jpg)
Would love to be on that roof, regardless. Also note gathering on far roof.
I don't see anyone on the "green roof" on top of city hall.
O'Hare Area:
(http://i.imgur.com/73Z6h1R.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/g9WmdIQ.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/IeckVUG.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/etrQEx7.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/zaazpyA.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/xECVFuM.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/CQdA8ye.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/V8SdAlL.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/Hha4bQS.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/Fz1Amoc.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/cBwm7SJ.jpg)
Mama always told me not to look into the eyes of the sun...
The umbra from space.
(https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/images/230933main_ISSumbra_HI_full.jpg)
https://www.nasa.gov/topics/solarsystem/features/eclipse/EclipseImg_080527_ISSumbra.html
Townsend, TN.
Not a cloud in the sky!
I'm in love with Tennessee. Will definitely bring the motorcycle next time and ride the Big Smokey Mountains!
(https://preview.ibb.co/cGAC95/IMG_6202.jpg) (https://ibb.co/nvsQU5)
Looped color satellite imagery of the shadow moving across the Earth.
http://rammb.cira.colostate.edu/ramsdis/online/loop.asp?data_folder=loop_of_the_day/goes-16/20170821000000&number_of_images_to_display=200&loop_speed_ms=200
Scroll down on this page to see lots of other cool looped imagery.
http://rammb.cira.colostate.edu/ramsdis/online/loop_of_the_day/
Mike
Quote from: Eclipse on August 21, 2017, 06:57:41 PM
Mama always told me not to look into the eyes of the sun...
But mama, that's where the fun is
So there's clearly a story, one I haven't gotten yet except for an amorphous "bad traffic", but my wife and
kids left the Carbondale area around 5pm yesterday, and didn't get home until 0730 this morning.
That's like 14 some hours for a 6-hour drive. I made it there and back to MNWG in less time then that.
Perhaps because it was a good excuse for skipping school? Extending the return trip could arguably get them out of school today as well? Also, didn't y'all have a bit of weather?
Down here, the local schools pretty much shut down yesterday, except for my oldest sons mechanical engineering professor in coastal Georgia, a jerk who not only refused to let them step outside for a minute during totatlity, but also walked over and pulled the classroom blinds down.
R
Spam
Quote from: Eclipse on August 21, 2017, 06:24:54 PM
(https://s3.postimg.org/q5zv6kofn/IMG_20170821_131913.jpg)
Marina Towers roof
(https://s3.postimg.org/sbu612rw3/IMG_20170821_132024.jpg)
Would love to be on that roof, regardless. Also note gathering on far roof.
I don't see anyone on the "green roof" on top of city hall.
Some people got on the roof of our headquarters building. One detective told me it reminded him of the scene in Independence Day where all the people are greeting the aliens.....said he half expected to be vaporized. 8)
Quote from: Spam on August 22, 2017, 02:04:40 PM
Perhaps because it was a good excuse for skipping school? Extending the return trip could arguably get them out of school today as well? Also, didn't y'all have a bit of weather?
No school until Wednesday, wife was already planning to be off work.
Quote from: Spam on August 22, 2017, 02:04:40 PM
Down here, the local schools pretty much shut down yesterday, except for my oldest sons mechanical engineering professor in coastal Georgia, a jerk who not only refused to let them step outside for a minute during totatlity, but also walked over and pulled the classroom blinds down.
We planned to fly to an area of 100% totality, but could not. My daughter's school told us that if she were not in school on the first day, she would be disenrolled and we would have to file all new paperwork with the district. I tried to get that clarified from both the school and the district. They refused to call me back until today.
Then, my boss, an immunologist and the Center director, was all pissed that people were taking a few minutes to leave the labs to view the sun (which was only about 70%). The funny thing, he constantly tells us that we need to participate in STEM Outreach.
I don't understand any of the hype.
I wasn't too terribly excited until I watched this video--and it happened exactly as simulated/explained here. Amazing experience.
EDIT: Of course, the YouTube version of this video was taken down.
Here's the source web page, but I found it won't play everywhere. Worth a watch if you can see it.
http://mashable.com/2017/08/16/solar-eclipse-mixed-reality-simulation-weather-channel/#L2VWgrsYUiqK (http://mashable.com/2017/08/16/solar-eclipse-mixed-reality-simulation-weather-channel/#L2VWgrsYUiqK)
Quote from: chuckmilam on August 22, 2017, 03:38:31 PM
I wasn't too terribly excited until I watched this video--and it happened exactly as simulated/explained here. Amazing experience.
I get it. >:D
Edited with an updated link, guess that YouTube version wasn't the legit source.
Quote from: A.Member on August 22, 2017, 03:17:50 PM
I don't understand any of the hype.
That's what I've heard just about everyone say that wasn't in totality. You quite simply had to be there because it was a sensory experience. If you weren't, you might as well have not even bothered to look up.
I haven't seen a single photograph that even remotely portrays the brilliance of the corona, the sharpness of the shadows, the quality of light, or thrill of the moment.
Where's Cartman's hippie patrol?
Smarter Every Day caught the transit of the ISS across the sun, and basically lost his mind.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lepQoU4oek4
Quote from: Eclipse on August 22, 2017, 01:53:55 PM
So there's clearly a story, one I haven't gotten yet except for an amorphous "bad traffic", but my wife and
kids left the Carbondale area around 5pm yesterday, and didn't get home until 0730 this morning.
That's like 14 some hours for a 6-hour drive. I made it there and back to MNWG in less time then that.
So it turns out they actually left around 3:30, which makes the trip even worse / longer.
The "story" as it turns out, was simply 1- and 2-lane highways most of the way up with slow and bumper-to-bumper
traffic.
Quote from: Eclipse on August 23, 2017, 01:39:07 PM
[redacted]
The "story" as it turns out, was simply 1- and 2-lane highways most of the way up with slow and bumper-to-bumper
traffic.
Oregon was the same way. We left on Thursday, and US-97 north was already getting congested. Traffic was moving smoothly, but there weren't many gaps. It's about 200 miles from the I-5/US-97 split to Bend, and 97 was pretty full. Glad we left when we did.
It was not a localized issue. What was supposed to be a 9.5 hour drive home took about 12.
(https://preview.ibb.co/h3yHCQ/IMG_5506.png) (https://ibb.co/hR7AXQ)