Solar eclipse

[Parsnip Totin Jack ★]

So there's a solar eclipse in a few weeks. I had to look up the date (8/21) for this post. The eclipse will be visible across most of North America. The previous total solar eclipse was in 1918. My question for discus is, am I the only one who doesn't give a shit about this event? The movement of the planets around the sun ensures that this will happen on a fairly regular basis, and probably has many times over the course of hundreds of millions of years. I don't see a need to worked up over it. Discus.

[ChrisL]

You are not the only one... I can give a rip too.  Surprisingly not a lot of media hype locally either.

[groupw]

We live on the path of totality for the eclipse. They are anticipating thousands of people around here. I have seen a couple partials and they are kind of cool. I am told a total eclipse is on another level. Looking forward to it since I am already here. Not sure I would travel to see one, though. 

[Kzoo]

1 minute ago, Old#7 said:

So there's a solar eclipse in a few weeks. I had to look up the date (8/21) for this post. The eclipse will be visible across most of North America. The previous total solar eclipse was in 1918. My question for discus is, am I the only one who doesn't give a shit about this event? The movement of the planets around the sun ensures that this will happen on a fairly regular basis, and probably has many times over the course of hundreds of millions of years. I don't see a need to worked up over it. Discus.

It's cool but not bookmark worthy.  I wouldn't drive several hours south and pay extra for a hotel in an area that is in the totality path.  I haven't bought any glasses yet but it will be fun to experience.  I remember one in the early 60's - as a young snapper it was 'different'

[Chris...]

I think it will be cool to see. I will not be venturing farther than my back yard to watch it. 

[Randomguy]

I think it is kind of cool from an anthropological perspective, thinking what kind of mythology evolved from shamans taking advantage of the tribal rubes.

[Kirby]

If I were already in the path, I"d think it's pretty fun, but I also wouldn't deal with a crowd to watch it.

[2Far ★]

There was a partial circa 1970 in western NYS. I had a telescope at the time that had an attachment that projected the sun onto a white paper screen. It was pretty neat to watch the path on the screen & calculate the degree of totality.

[Chris...]

I will have to research how to take pictures of the eclipse. 

[Mr. Silly]

19 minutes ago, Old#7 said:

The previous total solar eclipse was in 1918

I don't think so

[pedalphile]

I am baffled that any1 could be unmoved by this event. These are cool events, literally, being August you'll feel the difference, you'll hear the difference, if you're away from urban life.

[Parsnip Totin Jack ★]

Just now, Mr. Silly said:

I don't think so

That's just silly.

[Mr. Silly]

20 minutes ago, Old#7 said:

My question for discus is, am I the only one who doesn't give a shit about this event?

Probably not.  If it were more practical, I would have liked to drive down to experience it.  I was pissed I was living in D.C. when Detroit had the total eclipse although my mom said it was very cloudy that day.

[Mr. Silly]

1 minute ago, Old#7 said:

That's just silly.

It was most of the US, not just me.

[Dirtyhip]

Oregon is expecting millions of visitors.  Our quiet state is going to be a mad house.

We have picked out a camp spot in that path of totality.  Home will be at 90% from what I understand.

I am excited to witness this.  I seem to think I have only seen this once before in my life.  

[maddmaxx ★]

Certainly it's an event worth watching if in my area and an event worth noting even if not..........unless of course you are dead or simply not interested in the rest of the world.

Would I join the crazy throngs driving far and paying a lot to see it.....no.

I've seen a partial and that was cool.  The animals get all confused.

[Randomguy]

 

[Chris...]

46 minutes ago, Mr. Silly said:

I don't think so

The last total eclipse was 1918. The others were annular, not the same. 

[Kzoo]

1 hour ago, Chris... said:

The last total eclipse was 1918. The others were annular, not the same. 

"The key difference is that the Moon is further away from the Earth during an Annular as compared to a Total Eclipse. This gives the appearance of the Moon being smaller in the sky, and it no longer completely covers the Sun."

 

 

[TrentonMakes]

I saw a partial eclipse in the early 90s.  A group of us were driving, and we got out and looked.  Or thought about looking, since you're not supposed to look.

It will be kind of cool to see how dark it gets, but I'm not altogether excited about it.  I think when I was younger I would have been though.  I will be happy to see other peoples' photos online, or on TV or whatever.

I'm much more excited about camping the weekend prior. 

[Johnny Come Lately Name]

3 hours ago, Old#7 said:

The eclipse will be visible across most of North America

As someone NOT in the path: ?

Of course even if we were, it'd rain anyway.

The coolest eclipse I saw was the lunar one I got paid time-and-a-half to watch. ?

[JerrySTL ★]

I'm taking the 21st off. I live just on the edge, but plan on driving where I should get about 2 minutes of total darkness.

[Chris...]

16 minutes ago, JerrySTL said:

I'm taking the 21st off. I live just on the edge, but plan on driving where I should get about 2 minutes of total darkness.

Where are you driving to Jerry?

 

[JerrySTL ★]

1 hour ago, Chris... said:

Where are you driving to Jerry?

 

Probably down to Fort Chartees near Prairie du Rocher, Illinois. I ride my bicycle around that area often and know the back roads to get there if the highways are busy.

http://www.fortdechartres.us/

Of course if the prediction is for clouds there, I will change my plans to somewhere with clear skies if possible.

[petitepedal ★]

I saw a partial in Texas in the 80's...It made the daylight appear like the sun was wearing giant sunglasses..everything dimmed down just a bit..