Metro Jacksonville

Community => Science and Technology => Topic started by: BridgeTroll on July 13, 2017, 08:00:53 AM

Title: Total Solar Eclipse 2017
Post by: BridgeTroll on July 13, 2017, 08:00:53 AM
It is going to get very dark in Jacksonville on the afternoon of 21 August.  We will not get a total eclipse here but will be about 90%.  Head to a few miles north of Charleston for a chance to see the total...  We can only hope for an afternoon without thunderstorms...  8)

https://www.youtube.com/v/zgZnha_S9BQ?ecver=1

Here is a link to a PDF map showing the eclipse route, times, and percentages...

https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/publications/NASA_map_508.pdf

Here is a link to an interactive Google Earth map of the eclipse...

http://xjubier.free.fr/en/site_pages/solar_eclipses/TSE_2017_GoogleMapFull.html





Title: Re: Total Solar Eclipse 2017
Post by: Jim on July 13, 2017, 09:20:12 AM
Your second link is the one I always use for eclipse tracking.  I already have my trip planned for just south of Columbia, SC. 
Title: Re: Total Solar Eclipse 2017
Post by: BridgeTroll on July 13, 2017, 09:41:40 AM
Quote from: Jim on July 13, 2017, 09:20:12 AM
Your second link is the one I always use for eclipse tracking.  I already have my trip planned for just south of Columbia, SC. 

Do you photograph them?
Title: Re: Total Solar Eclipse 2017
Post by: Jagsdrew on July 13, 2017, 09:45:14 AM
http://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/traffic-congestion-predictions-maps-eclipse-august-21-2017

Cool article about the drive times and congestion on the day of the eclipse. A must read if you are considering making the drive to South Carolina. I'm currently considering it.

"1.85 and 7.4 million people will visit the path of totality on eclipse day"
Title: Re: Total Solar Eclipse 2017
Post by: BridgeTroll on July 13, 2017, 09:51:33 AM
Thanks Jagsdrew... never even considered the traffic issues.  Nice map on that website though...

(http://en.es-static.us/upl/2017/06/eclipse-solar-8-21-2017-lg.jpeg)
Title: Re: Total Solar Eclipse 2017
Post by: Jim on July 13, 2017, 10:26:27 AM
Quote from: BridgeTroll on July 13, 2017, 09:41:40 AM
Quote from: Jim on July 13, 2017, 09:20:12 AM
Your second link is the one I always use for eclipse tracking.  I already have my trip planned for just south of Columbia, SC. 

Do you photograph them?
I haven't been to a total before, only partials.  I will definitely be taking pics.   

I have family in Columbia so I'm not worried about traffic or hotels. 

I'm also looking forward to the 2045 eclipse.  Jax is in the path of totality for that one.
Title: Re: Total Solar Eclipse 2017
Post by: spuwho on July 16, 2017, 08:42:28 AM
I watched a partial in my front yard through my neighbors welding mask. This was back in 1971 roughly.  It reached about 60%. It got weirdly dark and the skies got really deep blue.  I only say weirdly because it's not like sunset, it's more like someone turned down the dimmer.
Title: Re: Total Solar Eclipse 2017
Post by: TimmyB on July 16, 2017, 03:36:51 PM
Since we still live in Michigan, we are heading to St. Louis for the weekend, then down to a little burg that will have the "total" experience.  I've only witnessed a pretty good partial in Michigan (back in the 80's) and that was pretty impressive.  Skies got almost nighttime dark and the temperature dropped noticeably.  It made me wonder about those poor people who were around thousands of years ago, who must have thought that God was not pleased about something!!!
Title: Re: Total Solar Eclipse 2017
Post by: David on July 17, 2017, 01:24:52 PM
I've been waiting for this since 2006. Booked a hotel in Charleston months ago, then driving up U.S. 17 about 30 miles to get right in the middle of totality. Hopefully it's not total gridlock up that way on the day of the eclipse.
Title: Re: Total Solar Eclipse 2017
Post by: BridgeTroll on August 15, 2017, 03:48:04 PM
A few days away... any eclipse plans/parties?  Everyone got their special glasses or... just gonna take a nap...  8)
Title: Re: Total Solar Eclipse 2017
Post by: BridgeTroll on August 15, 2017, 03:51:17 PM
Here is a link to the National Weather Service site for the eclipse...

http://www.weather.gov/source/crh/eclipse.html?sid=jax
Title: Re: Total Solar Eclipse 2017
Post by: TimmyB on August 15, 2017, 04:29:25 PM
I don't know if you all have seen this link or not, but it's pretty cool.  Type in any Zip Code in the US and it will show you exactly what you are going to see, with a neat animation.

https://www.vox.com/platform/amp/science-and-health/2017/7/25/16019892/solar-eclipse-2017-interactive-map (https://www.vox.com/platform/amp/science-and-health/2017/7/25/16019892/solar-eclipse-2017-interactive-map)
Title: Re: Total Solar Eclipse 2017
Post by: KenFSU on August 20, 2017, 10:44:48 PM
Dare I ask if anyone knows of any place in town that still has solar glasses available?
Title: Re: Total Solar Eclipse 2017
Post by: ProjectMaximus on August 21, 2017, 12:49:26 AM
I bet you'll find some on ebay Tuesday morning.
Title: Re: Total Solar Eclipse 2017
Post by: bobsim on August 21, 2017, 05:15:10 AM
  Shadow Snakes?

  Here's a very interesting video from ' Smarter Every Day' about how to watch the eclipse and what to watch for.

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qc7MfcKF1-s&t=887s (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qc7MfcKF1-s&t=887s)
Title: Re: Total Solar Eclipse 2017
Post by: remc86007 on August 21, 2017, 03:02:27 PM
I was downtown and could see a bit of it with glasses, but by the time it "peaked" it was too cloudy to see anything.
Title: Re: Total Solar Eclipse 2017
Post by: thelakelander on August 21, 2017, 03:11:25 PM
Quote from: BridgeTroll on August 15, 2017, 03:48:04 PM
A few days away... any eclipse plans/parties?  Everyone got their special glasses or... just gonna take a nap...  8)
I noticed some people on the roof of the building next to me, so I glanced out of the window for a split second and went back to work.
Title: Re: Total Solar Eclipse 2017
Post by: BridgeTroll on August 21, 2017, 03:45:22 PM
Quote from: thelakelander on August 21, 2017, 03:11:25 PM
Quote from: BridgeTroll on August 15, 2017, 03:48:04 PM
A few days away... any eclipse plans/parties?  Everyone got their special glasses or... just gonna take a nap...  8)
I noticed some people on the roof of the building next to me, so I glanced out of the window for a split second and went back to work.

Went outside... cloudy and dark like any stormy day... went back in...
Title: Re: Total Solar Eclipse 2017
Post by: Jim on August 21, 2017, 04:16:42 PM
Also downtown. A lot of us gathered on one of the loading docks to witnesses the clouds eclipsing the eclipse.
Title: Re: Total Solar Eclipse 2017
Post by: TimmyB on August 21, 2017, 05:54:42 PM
I got luckier than that.  This was my view in St. Clair MO. 

(http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b597/TimmyB44/Total%20Eclipse_zps7s3czixa.jpg)
Title: Re: Total Solar Eclipse 2017
Post by: David on August 24, 2017, 12:50:53 PM
I saw it from Santee State Park in SC, right on the center line of totality. I have to say, chasing the eclipse was like chasing a storm in reverse. I've only chased 4 hurricanes so i'm not a professional or anything, but this was a similar endeavor, except that I had to chase the sun. Had a hotel in Charleston but it was cloudy there too, so I had to drive 70 miles northwest to get a good view.

Totally worth it. Even with the 9 hour gridlocked drive back down 95 to get home. I will say that unless you're a professional photographer or a scientist, it's best to just observe. My cell phone video and pictures don't do it justice, wish I spent more time looking up instead of trying to capture it, but it was a great experience.
Title: Re: Total Solar Eclipse 2017
Post by: TimmyB on August 24, 2017, 01:51:04 PM
Quote from: David on August 24, 2017, 12:50:53 PM
I saw it from Santee State Park in SC, right on the center line of totality. I have to say, chasing the eclipse was like chasing a storm in reverse. I've only chased 4 hurricanes so i'm not a professional or anything, but this was a similar endeavor, except that I had to chase the sun. Had a hotel in Charleston but it was cloudy there too, so I had to drive 70 miles northwest to get a good view.

Totally worth it. Even with the 9 hour gridlocked drive back down 95 to get home. I will say that unless you're a professional photographer or a scientist, it's best to just observe. My cell phone video and pictures don't do it justice, wish I spent more time looking up instead of trying to capture it, but it was a great experience.

Similar for us.  50 minute trip on the Interstate from St Louis to the viewing point, 2.5 hour trip up (mostly) old Route 66 to get back!  Either way, you are correct.  Just sit back and enjoy it.  It happens SO fast, there's no time to waste with gear unless you really know what you're a pro.
Title: Re: Total Solar Eclipse 2017
Post by: remc86007 on August 24, 2017, 03:39:00 PM
Quote from: David on August 24, 2017, 12:50:53 PM
I will say that unless you're a professional photographer . . . it's best to just observe.

I think this advice applies to just about all significant events and places. I don't understand why people spend entire concerts, sporting events, etc., that they paid lots of money to go to, trying to record the event. Similarly, I don't understand people who travel to places and then wait in line to get in position to take a picture with their crappy cell phone camera that has been captured by professionals with top of the line equipment countless times.
Title: Re: Total Solar Eclipse 2017
Post by: Gunnar on August 24, 2017, 04:09:32 PM
Quote from: remc86007 on August 24, 2017, 03:39:00 PM
Quote from: David on August 24, 2017, 12:50:53 PM
I will say that unless you're a professional photographer . . . it's best to just observe.

I think this advice applies to just about all significant events and places. I don't understand why people spend entire concerts, sporting events, etc., that they paid lots of money to go to, trying to record the event.

Yeah, especially since the large majority of cell phones neither has high gain microphones nor a sufficiently good camera to record these events properly.

It feels to me like many people can no longer handle physical reality (or better: have little relationship to it) and prefer conserved reality. Their loss....
Title: Re: Total Solar Eclipse 2017
Post by: TimmyB on August 24, 2017, 04:36:09 PM
Quote from: Gunnar on August 24, 2017, 04:09:32 PM
Quote from: remc86007 on August 24, 2017, 03:39:00 PM
Quote from: David on August 24, 2017, 12:50:53 PM
I will say that unless you're a professional photographer . . . it's best to just observe.

I think this advice applies to just about all significant events and places. I don't understand why people spend entire concerts, sporting events, etc., that they paid lots of money to go to, trying to record the event.

Yeah, especially since the large majority of cell phones neither has high gain microphones nor a sufficiently good camera to record these events properly.

It feels to me like many people can no longer handle physical reality (or better: have little relationship to it) and prefer conserved reality. Their loss....

What's even sadder is that 90% of them have their phones out NOT to record the game or concert, but because they are deathly afraid of being disconnected from their friends that are not there with them!
Title: Re: Total Solar Eclipse 2017
Post by: Non-RedNeck Westsider on August 24, 2017, 05:03:31 PM
Quote from: TimmyB on August 24, 2017, 04:36:09 PM
Quote from: Gunnar on August 24, 2017, 04:09:32 PM
Quote from: remc86007 on August 24, 2017, 03:39:00 PM
Quote from: David on August 24, 2017, 12:50:53 PM
I will say that unless you're a professional photographer . . . it's best to just observe.

I think this advice applies to just about all significant events and places. I don't understand why people spend entire concerts, sporting events, etc., that they paid lots of money to go to, trying to record the event.

Yeah, especially since the large majority of cell phones neither has high gain microphones nor a sufficiently good camera to record these events properly.

It feels to me like many people can no longer handle physical reality (or better: have little relationship to it) and prefer conserved reality. Their loss....

What's even sadder is that 90% of them have their phones out NOT to record the game or concert, but because they are deathly afraid of being disconnected from their friends that are not there with them!

Only to be disconnected with the friends that are....