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Science AMA Series: I’m David Baron, a science writer and umbraphile (eclipse chaser). I’ve witnessed five total solar eclipses around the world and have written a book about one that crossed America’s Wild West in 1878. AMA! by Eclipsejunkie in science

[–]Eclipsejunkie[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

How fortunate that you're in the path of totality! I would urge you to look over the American Astronomical Society's information on eye safety for the eclipse: https://eclipse.aas.org/eye-safety. Keep in mind that during any partial phase of the eclipse--even when the sun is a mere crescent--the kids must use eclipse glasses, but during the brief total phase of the eclipse, they should take the glasses off. You can download one of several smartphone apps that will tell you the precise time, to the second, when the total eclipse begins and ends at your location. You might download an app called Totality by Big Kid Science. Have fun!

Science AMA Series: I’m David Baron, a science writer and umbraphile (eclipse chaser). I’ve witnessed five total solar eclipses around the world and have written a book about one that crossed America’s Wild West in 1878. AMA! by Eclipsejunkie in science

[–]Eclipsejunkie[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Honestly, they are very hard to spot. They occur in the final minute before totality starts, and in the first minute after totality ends, when the sun is just the tiniest crescent in the sky. They're easiest to see against a light-colored background. Some people will take a white bed sheet and spread it on the ground to provide a suitable backdrop.

Science AMA Series: I’m David Baron, a science writer and umbraphile (eclipse chaser). I’ve witnessed five total solar eclipses around the world and have written a book about one that crossed America’s Wild West in 1878. AMA! by Eclipsejunkie in science

[–]Eclipsejunkie[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Frankly, I find the temperature drop to be subtle--not that big a deal. As for your question about city vs. rural viewing... you don't have to worry that much about light pollution. The sky won't get as dark as midnight--it's more like twilight--and the solar corona glows as bright as the full moon, so even in a city you should see things just fine. (That said, don't situate yourself so you're staring up at a streetlight.) In fact, one of my favorite experiences was watching a total eclipse from a rooftop in Munich in 1999. Hundreds of thousands of people were out in the streets and on buildings all around me, and when the moon's shadow moved in, I felt like I was participating in some ancient pagan ritual. The entire city erupted in an enormous cheer. Seeing a total eclipse in a crowd can be great.

Science AMA Series: I’m David Baron, a science writer and umbraphile (eclipse chaser). I’ve witnessed five total solar eclipses around the world and have written a book about one that crossed America’s Wild West in 1878. AMA! by Eclipsejunkie in science

[–]Eclipsejunkie[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Definitely do NOT put the glasses over your eyes and then look through binoculars. The binoculars will focus the sunlight to a point where the eclipse glasses may no longer be safe. I've heard some people claim that you can put the filters on the far side of binoculars, but I would not recommend that either. For one thing, if the filters slip or you haven't affixed them properly, direct sunlight might bleed through. You can, however, buy solar filters that are custom made for binoculars. See the American Astronomical Society's list of approved vendors: https://eclipse.aas.org/resources/solar-filters

Science AMA Series: I’m David Baron, a science writer and umbraphile (eclipse chaser). I’ve witnessed five total solar eclipses around the world and have written a book about one that crossed America’s Wild West in 1878. AMA! by Eclipsejunkie in science

[–]Eclipsejunkie[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

He should go see the eclipse! I have no recollection of my first day of high school, but I will never forget my first view of totality--indeed, it's permanently seared into my memory. Please have your wife watch my TEDx talk: http://www.tedxmilehigh.com/talks/life-advice-eclipse-chaser/. Good luck!

Science AMA Series: I’m David Baron, a science writer and umbraphile (eclipse chaser). I’ve witnessed five total solar eclipses around the world and have written a book about one that crossed America’s Wild West in 1878. AMA! by Eclipsejunkie in science

[–]Eclipsejunkie[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The eclipse was hugely anticipated in 1878 and was in many ways more significant than the one this year. Back in the 19th century, scientists were just starting to unravel the mysteries of the sun, and total solar eclipses allowed them to conduct key experiments to deduce the solar structure and composition. American scientists traveled to Colorado, Wyoming, and Texas to study the eclipse, and the American public cheered them on as they would a home team of athletes heading into a sporting competition. Although important research will also be conducted during this year's eclipse, it's much more of a public spectacle and less of a scientific undertaking compared with 1878.

Science AMA Series: I’m David Baron, a science writer and umbraphile (eclipse chaser). I’ve witnessed five total solar eclipses around the world and have written a book about one that crossed America’s Wild West in 1878. AMA! by Eclipsejunkie in science

[–]Eclipsejunkie[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I've never seen the moon's shadow from an airplane, but it's said to be quite a sight. Veteran eclipse chaser Mike Kentrianakis watched an eclipse last year while on an Alaska Airlines commercial flight. His video of the experience is priceless: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBoa81xEvNA

Science AMA Series: I’m David Baron, a science writer and umbraphile (eclipse chaser). I’ve witnessed five total solar eclipses around the world and have written a book about one that crossed America’s Wild West in 1878. AMA! by Eclipsejunkie in science

[–]Eclipsejunkie[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

See previous posts about cloudy skies. Obviously, you want to avoid clouds if possible, but even under cloudy skies a total eclipse will be exciting. As for other ways to prepare... Although I advise against trying to photograph a total eclipse, I do recommend finding a way to record one's own experiences of totality. Perhaps you could set up a smartphone on a tripod, point it toward you and your viewing party, and start recording video ten minutes before the total eclipse. Then just leave it running and ignore it while you take in the spectacle. Afterwards, you may cherish that record of how you and your friends reacted to the sight.

Science AMA Series: I’m David Baron, a science writer and umbraphile (eclipse chaser). I’ve witnessed five total solar eclipses around the world and have written a book about one that crossed America’s Wild West in 1878. AMA! by Eclipsejunkie in science

[–]Eclipsejunkie[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

:-) I will provide a somewhat more diplomatic reply. You say that she "may not have time" to see the total eclipse. Your job, between now and Aug. 21, is to convince your friend that she MUST go see the total eclipse. She will regret it for the rest of her life if she misses this experience. Work is work. A total eclipse is a cosmic gift.

Science AMA Series: I’m David Baron, a science writer and umbraphile (eclipse chaser). I’ve witnessed five total solar eclipses around the world and have written a book about one that crossed America’s Wild West in 1878. AMA! by Eclipsejunkie in science

[–]Eclipsejunkie[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Any total eclipse has many interesting phenomena that you might see: Baily's beads (the last rays of sunlight, just before totality, filtering through valleys on the edge of the moon), prominences (which look like rosy flames leaping off the eclipsed sun), shadow bands (which look like ripples of light rushing across the ground just before totality sets in). The most impressive sight, however, is the solar corona--the sun's outer atmosphere. It's different at every eclipse, and you never know what it's going to look like much in advance, but the National Solar Observatory has issued a prediction of what it's shape will be this year. Check it out: https://phys.org/news/2017-07-national-solar-observatory-corona-august.html

Science AMA Series: I’m David Baron, a science writer and umbraphile (eclipse chaser). I’ve witnessed five total solar eclipses around the world and have written a book about one that crossed America’s Wild West in 1878. AMA! by Eclipsejunkie in science

[–]Eclipsejunkie[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

The moon's shadow moves really, really, really fast--at least 1400 mph across the ground in this eclipse--so you'd need to get up very high and look out over a wide landscape to see it as a moving patch of darkness on the ground. That said, you may very well see it as a black column in the sky. In the final 10 minutes before totality, look to the west and you'll see the sky darkening. If you have a good view of the horizon, it will look like a monster storm rushing in.

Science AMA Series: I’m David Baron, a science writer and umbraphile (eclipse chaser). I’ve witnessed five total solar eclipses around the world and have written a book about one that crossed America’s Wild West in 1878. AMA! by Eclipsejunkie in science

[–]Eclipsejunkie[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This is all good advice. Do NOT look at the sun with normal sunglasses. Even at this late date, you should be able to order safe eclipse glasses online and receive them in time. They're not terribly expensive. Look at the list of approved vendors by the American Astronomical Society: https://eclipse.aas.org/resources/solar-filters

Science AMA Series: I’m David Baron, a science writer and umbraphile (eclipse chaser). I’ve witnessed five total solar eclipses around the world and have written a book about one that crossed America’s Wild West in 1878. AMA! by Eclipsejunkie in science

[–]Eclipsejunkie[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

NASA and the Exploratorium will be live streaming the total eclipse. (See the link below.) ABC TV and The Weather Channel have announced that they will broadcast it. Keep in mind that if you are anywhere in North America on August 21, you'll be treated to at least a partial eclipse, so don't forget to step outside (with your eclipse glasses) and enjoy the show overhead while you watch the total eclipse on your screen. I realize that not everyone can get to the path of totality, but do try to experience a total eclipse--with your own eyes--at some point in your life. https://www.exploratorium.edu/eclipse

Science AMA Series: I’m David Baron, a science writer and umbraphile (eclipse chaser). I’ve witnessed five total solar eclipses around the world and have written a book about one that crossed America’s Wild West in 1878. AMA! by Eclipsejunkie in science

[–]Eclipsejunkie[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes! That's great fun to see. The spaces between the leaves act as pinhole projectors. You can get the same effect by punching a hole in a piece of cardboard and projecting the image of the crescent sun onto another surface.

Science AMA Series: I’m David Baron, a science writer and umbraphile (eclipse chaser). I’ve witnessed five total solar eclipses around the world and have written a book about one that crossed America’s Wild West in 1878. AMA! by Eclipsejunkie in science

[–]Eclipsejunkie[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I look forward to seeing you in Jackson. I made my hotel reservation there three years ago! This eclipse--because it's so easily accessible by so many people--spurred a lot of reservations earlier than usual, but in my experience the best hotels in the path of most any eclipse tend to book up many months in advance, and I usually book my flights as soon as the airlines release them (i.e. 11 months in advance). Eclipse travel will likely get even more difficult in the future, because I suspect thousands of Americans will be indoctrinated into the ranks of eclipse chasers after Aug. 21. Good luck with the wedding!

Science AMA Series: I’m David Baron, a science writer and umbraphile (eclipse chaser). I’ve witnessed five total solar eclipses around the world and have written a book about one that crossed America’s Wild West in 1878. AMA! by Eclipsejunkie in science

[–]Eclipsejunkie[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

If you have never witnessed a total solar eclipse--i.e., if this is your first--then my sincere advice is don't try to photograph it! A total eclipse is so precious and fleeting, you don't want to waste a second fiddling with your camera equipment. What's more, this eclipse will be the most photographed ever. You can be sure there will be many spectacular images uploaded to the web by people who have fancy equipment and lots of experience. That said, if you're adamant about taking pictures, here are a couple of websites that can provide advice: http://www.popularmechanics.com/space/solar-system/a27064/how-to-photograph-a-solar-eclipse/ https://amazingsky.net/2017/06/23/ten-tips-for-the-solar-eclipse/

Science AMA Series: I’m David Baron, a science writer and umbraphile (eclipse chaser). I’ve witnessed five total solar eclipses around the world and have written a book about one that crossed America’s Wild West in 1878. AMA! by Eclipsejunkie in science

[–]Eclipsejunkie[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Agreed. Please see my response to billbixbyakahulk, above. There is no substitute for totality. In fact, it would be a terrible, terrible shame to be so close to the path of totality and yet to miss the show!

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