Stargazing U.S. Solar Eclipse of Aug. 21, 2017

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The U.S. solar eclipse on August 21, 2017, presents a rare opportunity for viewers across the country, with the path of totality spanning from coast to coast. Many participants are planning to travel to optimal viewing locations, particularly in states like Kentucky and Illinois, to ensure clear skies. Essential equipment for viewing includes eclipse glasses, cameras with telephoto lenses, and possibly telescopes, although some participants express concerns about traffic congestion and weather unpredictability. Past experiences with eclipses highlight the importance of mobility to avoid cloud cover and maximize viewing chances. Overall, the excitement surrounding this event emphasizes its significance for both seasoned eclipse watchers and newcomers alike.
  • #271
Check Tractor Supply stores. My local one had a huge display of welding helmets with #10 shades on sale . And a good assortment of lenses to get upward of #15.
 
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  • #272
Hi guys what kind of equipment and quality of said equipment would one have to have to do a "do it yourself relativity test"??
I'm going to be viewing the event with my 16 son. We were wondering how difficult it would be to run the test like they did in Einstein's day??
 
  • #273
hsdrop said:
Hi guys what kind of equipment and quality of said equipment would one have to have to do a "do it yourself relativity test"??
I'm going to be viewing the event with my 16 son. We were wondering how difficult it would be to run the test like they did in Einstein's day??
I almost forgot about that experiment. Have you researched it? I am on my phone right now. But here is what came up on a search.
https://www.sciencenews.org/article/2017-solar-eclipse-einstein-general-relativity
 
  • #274
From what I have read about the experiment it's just taking sets of photos at 2 different times of the year. Then comparing the stars places with and without the sun in the sky to see if the stars moved. I'm just wondering if I can get away with using the telescope and the camera I have "which are the only tools I have to work with" and still make it work??
 
  • #275
OmCheeto said:
ps. Ok. It's a bunch(30,000!) of stupid hippies that caused this, and is only slightly connected to the eclipse.

It's going to get very strange over the weekend there.
2F%2Fscontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net%2Fv%2Ft1.0-9%2F20841027_1447725195281780_4890113905233237115_n.jpg



20727883_1472163326184275_4065713658998860243_n.jpg


 
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  • #276
Stavros Kiri said:
I'll be watching it via the internet, either from here (PF), or on-line, live streaming, etc. . So I will have to rely on you guys for cool videos and pictures, comments, etc.
Last rehearsal before packing the equipment up:



I will of course be busy during, so I'm not sure how much live streaming or posting I will be able to do, but I'll try.
 
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  • #277
hsdrop said:
Hi guys what kind of equipment and quality of said equipment would one have to have to do a "do it yourself relativity test"??
I'm going to be viewing the event with my 16 son. We were wondering how difficult it would be to run the test like they did in Einstein's day??
The deflection is about 2 seconds of arc for stars directly at the edge of the Sun. I would be surprised if you can get such a good angular resolution without a very good telescope.
 
  • #278
russ_watters said:
Last rehearsal before packing the equipment up:



I will of course be busy during, so I'm not sure how much live streaming or posting I will be able to do, but I'll try.

Wow! Eclipse videos are starting! ...
Not necessary to be live. I like them anyway, even later, pictures too. I would say go ahead and focus on your important work during ...

I already found a live streaming link (at least one). I will post it later (before the eclipse).
 
  • #279
Have glasses, will travel.

willtravel.jpg
 
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  • #280
dlgoff said:
Have glasses, will travel.

View attachment 209255
If you're traveling wearing them ... you won't get very far! ...
 
  • #281
Weird. I wonder if this is what they call the "quiet before the storm".
The roads are basically clear to all "eclipse destination" points in Oregon.

Live road conditions in Oregon

2017.08.18.weird.not.an.epocalypse.traffic.png


Spent the day disassembling my telescope, trying to determine if I could fix it.
After determining that the 9 volt supply was making it to the "guts", I saw the printed circuit board was all surface mount, and said; [Expletives deleted]
I do plan on taking it though, in the hopes that those stupid stinkin' hippies, with all their "LASER" lights, don't cause too much light pollution the night before.
And their "LASER" lights might make for an interesting composition against the backdrop of the milky way.
They are only 13 miles away, and due south of my intended position.
 
  • #282
Stavros Kiri said:
If you're traveling wearing them ... you won't get very far! ...
Depends on who's steering, methinks...
 
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  • #283
Blank_Stare said:
Depends on who's steering, methinks...
... and whether he/she is wearing it too or not
 
  • #284
  • #286
Stavros Kiri said:
I hope you're still joking

Well, aren't we both?

(I thought it was obvious that it "depending on who was steering" implied that wearing/not wearing the glasses was part of the concept... Trust me, I am as AR as the next guy - more so than many - I'd like to think I included you in good company. Anyway, just having fun, no harm intended.)
 
  • #287
Blank_Stare said:
Well, aren't we both?
Of course. Your replies were smart and funny. (I just had to make sure about the previous one.)
We're all getting cheered up, fired up and excited about the eclipse ... :smile::micoscope:
 
  • #288
I do not watch any tv, so I do not keep up with current events. I only found about the solar eclipse from my boss that is taking a trip to Idaho to go see it.

My question is the following:

I will start school on Monday. I live in Southern California. I will be at school from 8am to 5pm. Should I go buy some protection? I do not plan to look at the eclipse (not that interested). I will be walking on campus, and my campus is located on a hill.
 
  • #289
MidgetDwarf said:
I do not watch any tv, so I do not keep up with current events. I only found about the solar eclipse from my boss that is taking a trip to Idaho to go see it.

My question is the following:

I will start school on Monday. I live in Southern California. I will be at school from 8am to 5pm. Should I go buy some protection? I do not plan to look at the eclipse (not that interested). I will be walking on campus, and my campus is located on a hill.
Unless you are planning at looking at the Sun, no. The protective glasses are just so that you can directly watch the eclipse during its partial phase without damaging your eyes. There is no more danger from an eclipse that there is at any other time. (other than the fact that it impels the curious to stare at the Sun.)
 
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  • #290
In case it hasn't been mentioned before (I didn't read ALL those previous posts!)

https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/safety

About half way down the page under "Additional Safety information":

"Viewing with Protection -- Experts suggests that one widely available filter for safe solar viewing is welders glass of sufficiently high number. The only ones that are safe for direct viewing of the Sun with your eyes are those of Shade 12 or higher[/color]"
 
  • #291
MidgetDwarf said:
I will start school on Monday. I live in Southern California. I will be at school from 8am to 5pm. Should I go buy some protection? I do not plan to look at the eclipse (not that interested). I will be walking on campus, and my campus is located on a hill.

See post #201 in this thread for a safe alternative to glasses for you and your classmates.
 
  • #293
Eclipse mania has even affected the cheesy TV commercials of car dealers in the area.

solarselldown.jpg
 
  • #294
Still eerily quiet here, traffic-wise:

2017.08.19.eclipse.still.eerily.quiet.png

(about an hour ago)

Guessing either the carpocalypse scared everyone away, or there aren't as many "campers" in Oregon as I thought.

On a sad note, 400 homes were ordered to evacuate yesterday from a small town on the edge of totality, due to a fire:

http://www.opb.org/news/article/sisters-milli-fire-evacuation-level-3-leave-now/
Residents of more than 400 homes in a prime eclipse-viewing location in Oregon were ordered to evacuate Friday because of a rapidly growing wildfire that had already closed access to a portion of a wilderness area and a regional highway.

Stupid fires...

2017.08.19.fires.png


Not sure if the smoke is going to be a problem:

2017.08.19.smoke.png

Images courtesy of earth.nullschool.net
 
  • #295
I'm going to be wearing one of my PF tee-shirts.
flippedmirrorPF.jpg
 
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  • #296
dlgoff said:
I'm going to be wearing one of my PF tee-shirts.
View attachment 209322
I was planning on doing the same. :oldtongue:
 
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  • #297
More eclipse mania. I went to a stamp show in Columbia today:

eclipse-before.jpg


After holding my thumb on the stamp to warm it up a bit:

eclipse-after.jpg
 
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  • #299
Borg said:
I was planning on doing the same. :oldtongue:
Just planning? ...
 
  • #300
Time again to see the current sun's activity (while everyone is getting ready and preparing for the eclipse tomorrow). Currently there is still a spot group, region 2671 (significant) and (coincidence or no) there was a new big solar flare last night [today is Sun Aug 20, 2017], from a new spot group, rotating now into view, which will get the name 2672 by tomorrow (eclipse day! - now that's coincidence!). More details for all coming up on my next post.

Here is why looking at the activity (together with the eclipse) is important:
1. Watch this short and concise NASA's eclipse history review video:

2. See
https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/u-s-solar-eclipse-of-aug-21-2017.866521/page-10#post-5817925
(and useful links there)
3. As @russ_watters pointed out
russ_watters said:
Oh, awesome - this will help with focus and give something else to look at during partial.
https://www.physicsforums.com/threa...17-nice-spot-group.919696/page-2#post-5823041

So in focussing your instruments for the eclipse (cameras, telescopes, binoculars ... with sun filters of course), first take your chance with focussing on the current sun spot group (region 2671). It will be sectacular and useful.

Imagine if there was another big solar flare tomorrow during the eclipse [totality :oldsurprised:]?
There is actually a new promising spot group (getting the name 2672) rotating into view to the Earth by tomorrow! (See next post) Wow! May be we are lucky after all! ...
 
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