My wife is a high school science teacher. The school won’t see totality, but we’re less than an hour’s drive from it. She’s making plans to take the entire high school and probably middle school.
BTW, a really cool map for details is here, based on Google Maps, so you can zoom in/out, etc.
The middle of the line is about 3 minutes from my house if I drive. I go to school out of state and that is the first day of class. Guess I’m missing the first day!
@daveinwarsh I’m about that far from the next one. I’ll probably drive to see it.
I’ve never seen a total eclipse before - the last one visible from the continental US was in 1979. I was in the 2nd grade and it was at least a 15 hour drive (only visible from the far northwest US). So unless people here are serious travel junkies or just fortunate (looking at @ImTheDoctor), most everyone here is probably in a similar situation.
Point is: go see it. Have you been to the Grand Canyon? Before you went, had you seen pictures, or even video of the Grand Canyon? Did the pictures even come close to expressing the reality of it? Pictures can help you to remember, but there’s nothing like the actual experience.
@smyle I watched the one in 1979. I punched a hole in a piece of paper & shined it on something. There was much less hype over that one I think. That one was also a bit less travel to see it, I did have to drive into Oregon to see it. I suppose if I went to this one, I’d get those cheap solar glasses they have on Amazon to watch it. The trouble is, it starts at about 10AM in Oregon & I bet the roads & everything will be jammed with cars & people.
I already have the week off work and a place to stay. I saw the last one in Oregon in 1979. It is a once in a lifetime experience… (well, twice in my case).
@dickie541
What does the sheriff’s department do, other that tell people not to look directly at the sun, instead to use seriously protective gear, or use a camera obscura or similar, or watch on the internet, and to tell the damned cows that it’s ok to stay out in the fields munching?
@f00l they are expecting 140k people to flood us, for a few days before and a day or two after. And, its at the peak of our wild fire season. I am working with ARES, the ham geeks.
@f00l no. Its going to be a clusterfuck. Bend can accommodate 50k daily, not boarding or rooming them, though. The main area nearest maximum totality is Madras, OR. Population ~6000. Not a tourist town. We have a bunch of BLM (think Amon Bundy, not Travon Martin). Sheriff thinks they’re gonna stay there.
@f00l Just as easy to make a cardboard box viewer. Use a box big enough to fit easily over one’s head; for most little kids, adults will need something bigger. Cut a 3"x3" square (or a circle) near the upper corner of one of the small ends. Tape a piece of heavy paper (construction paper, a junk-mail envelope, or even a chunk of a manila envelope or file folder, whichever is easiest to find around your house) over the opening you cut. Using a pin or even an unbent paperclip poke one hole in the middle of the paper you’ve taped to the box. It’s pretty much similar in concept to a pin-hole camera.
To watch the eclipse safely, put the box over your head with the paper thingy behind you. Stand with your back to the sun, and you’ll be able to see the entire eclipse on the end of the box in front of you. You may want to tinker around with where to place the hole-and-paper to make it easiest to view.
I made these so my son and a couple of his friends so they watch a partial eclipse back in 1979. Three nine-year-olds on a parent-approved skip day were almost as much fun to watch as the eclipse itself.
@smyle thanks for that link! Guess I will pre-order enough for the whole family, since all of us standing around with large boxes over our heads would take up a fair amount of space!
Now if the weather/clouds will just cooperate…!
@magic_cave
Last esclipse I was present for - when and where was that, I am not sure - we just poked a hole in a piece of paper, “focused” the hole onto the sidewalk, and watched that. Didn’t bother with the box.
You know, I’ve been doing these ditty polls or whatever for a couple three years (among other types) and I’ve noticed on average there’s a lotta sleepers out in the real world… They just don’t realize much of anything… Small wonder our elections draw in so few voters. Priorities perhaps or just, Meh…?
@RiotDemon You’ve probably never seen a total eclipse - possibly an annular eclipse, where the moon is completely in front of the sun, but the sun has a larger arc, so there’s still a “ring of fire” and you can’t look directly at it. During totality, you don’t need a box (but you do right before and after).
Normally I’m a total geek: I like watching construction sites and meteor showers and Nova specials. I liked the map placidpenguin added, I studied that for a minute or 2.
I remember enjoying making those periscope shoe boxes in 6th grade, that was fun. But then the day came and we all went out to the playground to watch the eclipse, and I remember being bored well before the eclipse was over
So while it would probably be only a 2 hour drive to see this, I doubt I’d go, even to take the teens to see it. The science and history of people thinking it’s a sign of (insert theory here) are interesting, but not driving to stand and watch it. At least not to me. Odd.
The day of the eclipse is my grandson’s third birthday. The kids (two big kids, one littler kid) will be moving in early June to a city three states away [nooooo!] so we’ll be traveling there for his birthday. It’s just coincidence that their new home will be right in the observation path.
@Pantheist Well, that sounded better than telling the truth: the grandson is the cutest kid in the world and all the ghods and all the Fates arranged for the eclipse just to celebrate his birthday.
@smyle For possible travel purposes. Total eclipse will be closer to where I live, plus kids will be older and hopefully able to somewhat appreciate it or at least remember it.
@Collin1000 I can’t foresee a situation where I do. Pretty well established where I am at. However if you plan to throw a boatload of money my way to work for you, I’ll consider it.
Saw one as a kid. No wind that day so we watched it by its reflection in the pond so we wouldn’t hurt our eyes by watching it in the sky, although my engineer uncle rigged up something we passed around to use to look at it in the sky.
WE are headed to Nashville where we can stay with the kids/grandkids for the big event. Thankfully it falls on my off week, so no problem getting the time off.
I can get to the point of total eclipse and the point of longest duration, but they are both in rural farm area, and I imagine it’s going to be a zoo. I’ll probably be better off in the parking lot of a Walmart or something.
@craigthom yeah, the point of longest duration only varies by a few seconds from other spots that will be less crazy busy I imagine. The link already listed above will give you good info to help pick your sweet spot between crazy busy and tolerable crowd or virtually deserted by getting even a couple of miles off the line.
@craigthom At the Walmart near me you have little choice. It’s always so crowded you have to park at the back of the lot. Even when it’s not I park far away to save my car from all of the morons.
I will be on a friend’s father-in-law’s farm northwest of Hopkinsville, about halfway to Carbondale and a bit northeast of Paducah.
Everything is set, camera equipment and scripting is working properly.
I just wish I’d gotten a room to spend Sunday night in the area. It’s only 200 miles, but I’m allowing six hours to get there plus another hour to get set up and do some testing.
i just received notice from amazon that the officially nasa certified, iso certified, blahbitty, blahbitty glasses i purchased are not
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( d out plan b )
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@Yoda_Daenerys Ditto. Of course, there’s still time to order a replacement pair, but - oh, look! All of the really, truly, absolutely certified-to-be-real ones are only sold in bulk lots at Amazon. Funny how that worked out.
@Yoda_Daenerys I bought some iso certified ones for $2 each from a display near the checkout at Kroger the other day. Lowe’s had them too but their display was cleaned out. And Wal-Mart said they had them but when I finally figured out where the employees were directing me, it was to a display of “Solara” reading sunglasses. Close but no cigar.
@djslack i suppose the real question is how do you know if they are really certified and safe? there is a list of manufacturers published by NASA i believe
2017, the year the rate of blindness in aMeh.rica increased dramatically
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@Yoda_Daenerys
Wife bought two sets- one kid sized, one big kid sized. I am a welder, so i know what its like to look at bright things through dark things…I tried ours out, and they were acceptable. Then tried the kids, and nearly burned my eyes. I got a refund from amazon, then got an email from the vendor explaining “wrong batch, shipped wrong item,” some such shit. They said destroy them and we’ll get our money back.
Then we got the message from amazon that stated iso not certified, blah, blah. Two different emails, one for kids, one for ours.
Here is the skinny…if you can look at the sun through them, and feel no pain, or discomfort or heat, go ahead and use them. Just because they dont have the cert, doesnt mean they are dangerous. But, dont take my word for it.
If you decide to use them, dont look up at the sun for longer than a minute. You will hurt your neck!
@Yoda_Daenerys i can post the mfr and pictures of the paragraph printed on them when I get home. They reference the ISO certification but i don’t think they reference NASA at all. I know that they appear opaque; any artificial light doesn’t show through them at all, except putting them right up to a bright incandescent lightbulb, you can just make out the filament. I haven’t tried to look at the sun with them.
if you can look at the sun through them, and feel no pain, or discomfort or heat, go ahead and use them
i wonder how long this approach works before damage?
i was playing some tennis today and the serve toss was right into the bright sun
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i found a pair of approved binoculars for this purpose in stock at bestbuy, ~$35
How can you tell if your solar viewer is not safe? You shouldn’t be able to see anything through a safe solar filter except the Sun itself or something comparably bright, such as the Sun reflected in a mirror, a sunglint off shiny metal, the hot filament of an unfrosted incandescent light bulb, a bright halogen light bulb, a bright-white LED flashlight (including the one on your smartphone), or an arc-welder’s torch. All such sources should appear quite dim through a solar viewer.
@f00l shopping with the retailers i mentioned above, another potential last minute source of glasses is our friend the library - libraries all around the country have pairs to give out free.
It’s getting to be close enough to E-day that I don’t trust backorders and shipping delays to not leave me high and dry.
Of course you can just use a cardboard box and dispense with the glasses altogether if necessary.
@f00l Damn, I wish I’d have known. I have four extra of the Lunt glasses and i would have sent them in your package. (I only paid $5 for a 5pack from B&H video).
Best Buy is sold out of their affordable eclipse binoculars online. But I was able to purchased these this evening online for store pickup because the local store has them in stock.
Paid for them online. So presumably they are mine already, and won’t get purchased by someone else first.
Celestron - EclipSmart 10 x 25 Solar Binoculars - Black
If you local Best Buy or your local Frys or your local camera store is sold out, you might be able to get a more expensive version.
At least that way you know you can get your hands on some.
If binoculars say they are for eclipse viewing, and they have a reputable brand name, and come from a reputable store, I hope they’re probably ok. I don’t think too many companies are going to the expense of counterfeiting binoculars when they thought they could get away with counterfeiting cardboard cheapies.
At least I hope so.
Since these are Celestron, who is known as a maker of telescopes, I hope they are decent.
Local science museums are also selling eclipse viewing glasses. I presume these would be reputable.
But the ones that sell online are probably sold out. My local museum is selling them, but only on site. And I can’t tell if they are in stock or not except by going turret in Sunday.
But that’s another place to check for quality supplies, I suppose.
@f00l Good call. That was in my head but I neglected to type it in my last post. Both science museums and astronomical societies would be good places to check for them.
Yeah, the last few times I watched a partial eclipse, I just used a pin to poke a hole in a piece of paper. Then held the paper out a few feet above the ground and watched the concrete underneath it. You could watch the eclipse happen by just looking at the sidewalk.
Here are some eclipse images created by leaves.
People who wish to be safe can let the trees focus the images for them.
I thought about it. Even thought about flying into KC airport and going outside, them flying right back.
But … I dithered. And I didn’t make work arrangements. And the potential traffic problems deterred me.
The drive there and back in a single day didn’t bother me. That part would be cool. The drive with lots of immoveable traffic jams thrown in … No way to estimate if I’ll be stuck for hours and hours or not … Kinda gave up on it.
I hope you are sure that your Lunts are the real deal. B&H photo is depending on the supplier to not ship crap.
One reason I ordered these from Amazon is that the manufacturer linked directly to them from the manufacturer’s websute. And they are sold and shipped by the manufacturer. And the manufacturer is linked to by space.com.
@f00l I think we will be around 90%. That’s good enough for me. Cancel the Amazon order. I’m still sending you the four extra glasses i have. They will get to you in two days, Wed or Thursday. from when i mail them on monday.
@f00l The path of totality in 2024 probably covers you without going anywhere, and the centerline is only a couple hours away from me (the edge of totality is an hour away).
@f00l Do what you want, if you are concerned that these are not the real deal. Do you want me to send the glasses or not? It doesn’t matter to me one way or the other.
Yeah send them. Sorry. I didn’t mean to be presumptuous.
I just realized than some of the counterfeiters apparently counterfeited respectable names.
I think you can test by just looking they them. If you can see anything much, other than the sun or a welding torch, questionable. If they appear to be close to blackout glasses, I think they are real.
You are awesome awesome awesome awesome awesome awesome awesome.
In Harry Potter, 7 is a magic number so you getting 7 awesomes. Plus the extra one in the sentence I just finished.
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@f00l - Hello-o guys - there are definitive answers to your questions over here.
There is a link to show which libraries are offering glasses, lists of reputable vendors, and how to check to see if your glasses are safe. This is where I ordered my glasses, they’re on the list, certified, and they shipped the next day. I do have one extra pair if someone needs it, but I might give it to my neighbor.
eta - most of the cheaper ones seem to be sold out at that place.
So back in April i had no idea this was happening. Now we’re taking off work and driving 10-12 hours, camping all weekend, and hoping to get a good view south of St. Louis before driving home to go to work the next day. I guess we got excited.
I’m excited! But then I’m excited about my 7 pounds of candy corn too. And my new Bluetooth speaker that fits in a cupholder. It fits perfectly in a cupholder! How awesome is that?
It worked out well we got there and setup right at the beginning of the eclipse. Right at totality a cloud came over and it was ok as it wasn’t very dense and sortta helped things. We maded Turkey and pepperjack with spinach and mater sammiches and guzzled soda water. It was hot as hell but the market umbrella made it bearable. Many thanks to Oconee County for mowing the swales on Hwy 11 Sat. Where the hell all the people came from on the ride home I have no idea but the ride home turned into a total goat rope.
Already live in an area it will pass over. No travel needed.
We live in the path of totality, and I look forward to seeing it. Our luck, August in Nebraska, it will be cloudy, but one can hope.
My wife is a high school science teacher. The school won’t see totality, but we’re less than an hour’s drive from it. She’s making plans to take the entire high school and probably middle school.
BTW, a really cool map for details is here, based on Google Maps, so you can zoom in/out, etc.
@smyle Seriously cool – thanks!
Another cool link: http://www.eclipse2017.org/glasses_order.htm. This way you’re not messing around with pinholes and cardboard.
@smyle Thanks for that link. Wonder if they will see a “meh” bump in sales!
@smyle cheaper on amazon for a 10pack
https://www.amazon.com/Eclipse-Glasses-Certified-Assorted-Protection/dp/B01M2WDBQU/
@medz Thanks! I’ll probably be buying enough for the whole school, so buying in 20-packs makes a significant difference.
@PlacidPenguin thanks!
The middle of the line is about 3 minutes from my house if I drive. I go to school out of state and that is the first day of class. Guess I’m missing the first day!
I’ve seen some pretty big shadows before, so, meh.
@nogoodwithnames I feel sorry for you.
It’s about a six hour drive for me to get to the center, so no thanks. The next one will pass right over my house, so I’ll just have to be patient.
I have heard it described as a wave of darkness rushing towards you until you are engulfed in blackness. Sounds like how I experience consciousness.
@ponagathos
Normal day for so many of us.
@ponagathos just like the Ringworld
@ponagathos I was pretty close to the center of the path thirty-something years ago, and I didn’t prepare or anything.
What I remember most is that, looking around, it was dark, but bright light was reflecting off the windshields of the cars around me. It was weird.
@craigthom I know a late reply but I watched one at the farm seeing it reflected in the pond. Pretty cool.
@Kidsandliz I will be on a farm tomorrow, across the road from a pond. I should probably check it out. Thanks.
I live 210 mi from the center of eclipse, maybe a 3+ hr drive.
I’ll watch it on TV.
@daveinwarsh I’m about that far from the next one. I’ll probably drive to see it.
I’ve never seen a total eclipse before - the last one visible from the continental US was in 1979. I was in the 2nd grade and it was at least a 15 hour drive (only visible from the far northwest US). So unless people here are serious travel junkies or just fortunate (looking at @ImTheDoctor), most everyone here is probably in a similar situation.
Point is: go see it. Have you been to the Grand Canyon? Before you went, had you seen pictures, or even video of the Grand Canyon? Did the pictures even come close to expressing the reality of it? Pictures can help you to remember, but there’s nothing like the actual experience.
@smyle I watched the one in 1979. I punched a hole in a piece of paper & shined it on something. There was much less hype over that one I think. That one was also a bit less travel to see it, I did have to drive into Oregon to see it. I suppose if I went to this one, I’d get those cheap solar glasses they have on Amazon to watch it. The trouble is, it starts at about 10AM in Oregon & I bet the roads & everything will be jammed with cars & people.
@daveinwarsh how things change, huh?
I already have the week off work and a place to stay. I saw the last one in Oregon in 1979. It is a once in a lifetime experience… (well, twice in my case).
I’m in the totality path. My username includes my area code. I’m training to work with the sheriff’s department now, for this event.
@dickie541
What does the sheriff’s department do, other that tell people not to look directly at the sun, instead to use seriously protective gear, or use a camera obscura or similar, or watch on the internet, and to tell the damned cows that it’s ok to stay out in the fields munching?
@f00l they are expecting 140k people to flood us, for a few days before and a day or two after. And, its at the peak of our wild fire season. I am working with ARES, the ham geeks.
@dickie541
OK fair enough. Is there sufficient hotel or camping space?
@f00l no. Its going to be a clusterfuck. Bend can accommodate 50k daily, not boarding or rooming them, though. The main area nearest maximum totality is Madras, OR. Population ~6000. Not a tourist town. We have a bunch of BLM (think Amon Bundy, not Travon Martin). Sheriff thinks they’re gonna stay there.
@f00l Just as easy to make a cardboard box viewer. Use a box big enough to fit easily over one’s head; for most little kids, adults will need something bigger. Cut a 3"x3" square (or a circle) near the upper corner of one of the small ends. Tape a piece of heavy paper (construction paper, a junk-mail envelope, or even a chunk of a manila envelope or file folder, whichever is easiest to find around your house) over the opening you cut. Using a pin or even an unbent paperclip poke one hole in the middle of the paper you’ve taped to the box. It’s pretty much similar in concept to a pin-hole camera.
To watch the eclipse safely, put the box over your head with the paper thingy behind you. Stand with your back to the sun, and you’ll be able to see the entire eclipse on the end of the box in front of you. You may want to tinker around with where to place the hole-and-paper to make it easiest to view.
I made these so my son and a couple of his friends so they watch a partial eclipse back in 1979. Three nine-year-olds on a parent-approved skip day were almost as much fun to watch as the eclipse itself.
@magic_cave Or you could plan ahead and just spend $4
@smyle thanks for that link! Guess I will pre-order enough for the whole family, since all of us standing around with large boxes over our heads would take up a fair amount of space!
Now if the weather/clouds will just cooperate…!
@magic_cave
Last esclipse I was present for - when and where was that, I am not sure - we just poked a hole in a piece of paper, “focused” the hole onto the sidewalk, and watched that. Didn’t bother with the box.
But
Camera obscura
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camera_obscura
Design published in 1545
Leaf canopy making a camera obscura image of an eclipse in Malta
@f00l thats cool, and ive been there, too
@smyle But where’s the fun and satisfaction in that?
I time-traveled back to the beginning of the universe, in order to make sure an eclipse happened this summer over Nebraska.
That was kinda exciting.
@f00l Did you see Joe while you were there?
@Pantheist
Damn, I saw everyone. So fucking crowded. Not my idea of a vacation spot. And they all had my cell #.
PS The frozen margaritas sucked.
@f00l Ugh, what a pain. You at least got reimbursed for your travel expenses though, right?
@Pantheist
Not for pain and suffering, unfortunately.
@f00l Damn suits.
10 hours drive to the more or less nearest point of totality, but that’s right near the sweet spot in KY. Hmmmm.
@f00l most of the sweet spots in KY are bourbon-related.
@UncleVinny
Hmmm. Yes I think you’re right.
@UncleVinny Bonus! IF you miss it you can just drink until you have your own personal eclipse!
@UncleVinny Not for the eclipse area. Almost all the bourbon in the world is made a few hours to the east.
I was in the dark about it.
You know, I’ve been doing these ditty polls or whatever for a couple three years (among other types) and I’ve noticed on average there’s a lotta sleepers out in the real world… They just don’t realize much of anything… Small wonder our elections draw in so few voters. Priorities perhaps or just, Meh…?
@unkabob Yeah, if the sun (or moon) had just posted this on their Facebook page EVERYONE would know about it by now! Slackers!!
@chienfou… OR Sun (or moon) watchers… Their out there.
I’ll only see 82% totality. I’ve seen them before with one of those boxes. Better to watch it online, I think.
@RiotDemon You’ve probably never seen a total eclipse - possibly an annular eclipse, where the moon is completely in front of the sun, but the sun has a larger arc, so there’s still a “ring of fire” and you can’t look directly at it. During totality, you don’t need a box (but you do right before and after).
@smyle
And the daylight gets kinda dim and confuses the livestock.
@smyle thanks. Didn’t realize they didn’t all have those rings.
Normally I’m a total geek: I like watching construction sites and meteor showers and Nova specials. I liked the map placidpenguin added, I studied that for a minute or 2.
I remember enjoying making those periscope shoe boxes in 6th grade, that was fun. But then the day came and we all went out to the playground to watch the eclipse, and I remember being bored well before the eclipse was over
So while it would probably be only a 2 hour drive to see this, I doubt I’d go, even to take the teens to see it. The science and history of people thinking it’s a sign of (insert theory here) are interesting, but not driving to stand and watch it. At least not to me. Odd.
I’m planning a trip to the mountains with my siblings.
The day of the eclipse is my grandson’s third birthday. The kids (two big kids, one littler kid) will be moving in early June to a city three states away [nooooo!] so we’ll be traveling there for his birthday. It’s just coincidence that their new home will be right in the observation path.
@magic_cave Right, coincidence…
@Pantheist Well, that sounded better than telling the truth: the grandson is the cutest kid in the world and all the ghods and all the Fates arranged for the eclipse just to celebrate his birthday.
I’m going to wait for April 8th, 2024
@MrMark Why not both?
@smyle For possible travel purposes. Total eclipse will be closer to where I live, plus kids will be older and hopefully able to somewhat appreciate it or at least remember it.
@MrMark You aren’t going to move before then?
@Collin1000 I can’t foresee a situation where I do. Pretty well established where I am at. However if you plan to throw a boatload of money my way to work for you, I’ll consider it.
Saw one as a kid. No wind that day so we watched it by its reflection in the pond so we wouldn’t hurt our eyes by watching it in the sky, although my engineer uncle rigged up something we passed around to use to look at it in the sky.
I’ve become rather blasé about these things, It would take the coming of the mother ship to excite me.
@cranky1950
www.morningsave.com
@f00l I wuv you 2
WE are headed to Nashville where we can stay with the kids/grandkids for the big event. Thankfully it falls on my off week, so no problem getting the time off.
This coming eclipse is a cosmic sign from the heavens that some of use might travel to see it and others might not.
However, these big natural events always carry serious cool with them.
/giphy eclipse
@f00l there’s that typo machine of yours in full force again use<was>us, nice giphy tho
/youtube full solar eclipse
@Yoda_Daenerys
re:autocorrect
/youtube "same as it ever was"
@f00l love that song and video, i get some of my best dance moves from this and watching michael stipe
I scheduled the day off last summer. I’m three or four hours from the path and plan to be there taking pictures.
I know I’m not going to get pictures better than what I could find online later, but they will be my pictures.
@craigthom Amen!
I should get 98.85 % obscuration where I live. That should be good enough.
I can get to the point of total eclipse and the point of longest duration, but they are both in rural farm area, and I imagine it’s going to be a zoo. I’ll probably be better off in the parking lot of a Walmart or something.
@craigthom The parking lot of a Walmart is ALWAYS a zoo.
@craigthom yeah, the point of longest duration only varies by a few seconds from other spots that will be less crazy busy I imagine. The link already listed above will give you good info to help pick your sweet spot between crazy busy and tolerable crowd or virtually deserted by getting even a couple of miles off the line.
@cinoclav Only near the store. Nobody wants to walk from the back of the lot.
@chienfou I was looking at one similar. The Walmart in question is in Hopkinsville.
@craigthom At the Walmart near me you have little choice. It’s always so crowded you have to park at the back of the lot. Even when it’s not I park far away to save my car from all of the morons.
@cinoclav
You call them morons, I call them entertainment.
@f00l I was specifically referring to the morons who ding up my car. Otherwise, yes, they’re purely entertainment.
I will be on a friend’s father-in-law’s farm northwest of Hopkinsville, about halfway to Carbondale and a bit northeast of Paducah.
Everything is set, camera equipment and scripting is working properly.
I just wish I’d gotten a room to spend Sunday night in the area. It’s only 200 miles, but I’m allowing six hours to get there plus another hour to get set up and do some testing.
I’m hours from the path of totality. Fortunately my parents are right on the edge so I’m going to visit for a long weekend.
i have family within 3 hours of the sweet spot, but agree with @chienfou getting off that path is an option
Traveling to see totality in Wyoming. Looking forward to it.
/youtube excited feel these nipples
i just received notice from amazon that the officially nasa certified, iso certified, blahbitty, blahbitty glasses i purchased are not
@Yoda_Daenerys Ditto. Of course, there’s still time to order a replacement pair, but - oh, look! All of the really, truly, absolutely certified-to-be-real ones are only sold in bulk lots at Amazon. Funny how that worked out.
@Yoda_Daenerys I bought some iso certified ones for $2 each from a display near the checkout at Kroger the other day. Lowe’s had them too but their display was cleaned out. And Wal-Mart said they had them but when I finally figured out where the employees were directing me, it was to a display of “Solara” reading sunglasses. Close but no cigar.
@djslack i suppose the real question is how do you know if they are really certified and safe? there is a list of manufacturers published by NASA i believe
@Yoda_Daenerys
Wife bought two sets- one kid sized, one big kid sized. I am a welder, so i know what its like to look at bright things through dark things…I tried ours out, and they were acceptable. Then tried the kids, and nearly burned my eyes. I got a refund from amazon, then got an email from the vendor explaining “wrong batch, shipped wrong item,” some such shit. They said destroy them and we’ll get our money back.
Then we got the message from amazon that stated iso not certified, blah, blah. Two different emails, one for kids, one for ours.
Here is the skinny…if you can look at the sun through them, and feel no pain, or discomfort or heat, go ahead and use them. Just because they dont have the cert, doesnt mean they are dangerous. But, dont take my word for it.
If you decide to use them, dont look up at the sun for longer than a minute. You will hurt your neck!
@Yoda_Daenerys i can post the mfr and pictures of the paragraph printed on them when I get home. They reference the ISO certification but i don’t think they reference NASA at all. I know that they appear opaque; any artificial light doesn’t show through them at all, except putting them right up to a bright incandescent lightbulb, you can just make out the filament. I haven’t tried to look at the sun with them.
@djslack sounds like @dickie541 has some experience. i think seeing the filament in a bulb is not a good sign, but i’m no expert.
@dickie541
i wonder how long this approach works before damage?
i was playing some tennis today and the serve toss was right into the bright sun
i found a pair of approved binoculars for this purpose in stock at bestbuy, ~$35
https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-recommends-safety-tips-to-view-the-august-solar-eclipse
@Yoda_Daenerys
From https://eclipse.aas.org/eye-safety/iso-certification - they list Explore Scientific on their list of reputable vendors, and that is who made these glasses.
@djslack woot!
@Yoda_Daenerys
My Amazon order got cancelled. Just as well since I presume they were junk.
But this makes is hard to get new ones, since Amazon is sold out of more or less everything. And so it every other place I trust to buy them from.
So I ordered these.
LUNT SOLAR ECLIPSE GLASSES – 5 PACK
Lunt Solar Systems
5-Pack Premium ISO and CE Certified Lunt Solar Eclipse Glasses
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01NB09NHK?tag=space041-20&ascsubtag=[site|space[cat|NA[art|33797[pid|B01NB09NHK|NA[bbc|manual
Kids pack
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XTL5M5T?tag=space041-20&ascsubtag=[site|space[cat|NA[art|33797[pid|B06XTL5M5T|NA[bbc|manual
(I don’t know anything Amazon whether Amazon has or can get the kids glasses)
The adult ones are currently out of stock but are due back in stock on the 17th.
So I ordered with 1 day shipping.
5 pack for $35 plus 1 day shipping for about $8 plus tax or whatever.
I am not pleased bit it’s better than going blind I guess.
These are sold and shipped on Amazon by the manufacturer.
The manufacturer is listed on space.com as being a certifies and tested source.
I think they will prob sell out and there may be a nationwide shortage of reliable glasses. So jump on them if your want them.
More info
https://qz.com/1052547/amazon-amzn-has-issued-a-warning-about-some-eclipse-watching-glasses/
https://amp.space.com/36941-solar-eclipse-eye-protection-guide.html
https://eclipse.aas.org/resources/solar-filters
https://luntsolarsystems.com/product/lunt-solar-eclipse-glasses-5-pack/
@f00l shopping with the retailers i mentioned above, another potential last minute source of glasses is our friend the library - libraries all around the country have pairs to give out free.
It’s getting to be close enough to E-day that I don’t trust backorders and shipping delays to not leave me high and dry.
Of course you can just use a cardboard box and dispense with the glasses altogether if necessary.
@f00l Damn, I wish I’d have known. I have four extra of the Lunt glasses and i would have sent them in your package. (I only paid $5 for a 5pack from B&H video).
@Yoda_Daenerys
Best Buy is sold out of their affordable eclipse binoculars online. But I was able to purchased these this evening online for store pickup because the local store has them in stock.
Paid for them online. So presumably they are mine already, and won’t get purchased by someone else first.
Celestron - EclipSmart 10 x 25 Solar Binoculars - Black
Model: 71237SKU: 5869207
$34.99 plus tax.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/celestron-eclipsmart-10-x-25-solar-binoculars-black/5869207.p?skuId=5869207
If you local Best Buy or your local Frys or your local camera store is sold out, you might be able to get a more expensive version.
At least that way you know you can get your hands on some.
If binoculars say they are for eclipse viewing, and they have a reputable brand name, and come from a reputable store, I hope they’re probably ok. I don’t think too many companies are going to the expense of counterfeiting binoculars when they thought they could get away with counterfeiting cardboard cheapies.
At least I hope so.
Since these are Celestron, who is known as a maker of telescopes, I hope they are decent.
@f00l
Local science museums are also selling eclipse viewing glasses. I presume these would be reputable.
But the ones that sell online are probably sold out. My local museum is selling them, but only on site. And I can’t tell if they are in stock or not except by going turret in Sunday.
But that’s another place to check for quality supplies, I suppose.
@f00l Good call. That was in my head but I neglected to type it in my last post. Both science museums and astronomical societies would be good places to check for them.
@Barney
If you wanted to send them, I will pay for them plus postage. That way if I don’t get mine … I’ll have something.
I promise to give all the extras to local kids and science buffs.
But if it’s too much trouble, I will be able to pick up my binoculars from Best Buy tomorrow I hope. So I’ll have something.
I had been wondering why the damned viewing glasses I ordered from Amazon has not shown up. Now I know.
@djslack
Yeah I may check with the library Sunday or Monday.
What a great situation.
The continental US solar event of the century and a bunch of people won’t be able to get glasses, and some people may get their eyes damages.
And all because some assholes wanted to make a quick buck and some distributors and retailers did not do reasonable due diligence.
@f00l Prices have gone up at B&H. I ordered mine a few weeks ago and they also had free expedited shipping then. Supply and demand, i guess.
I’ll be out and about tomorrow and see if I can find a long padded envelope and get them mailed to you on Monday.
Don’t worry about payment, we’ll figure out something.
@f00l I think Kroger stores are supposed to have a whole bunch. You might check there, too.
Our Dillons (Kroger) stores are going to have some special activities and are supplying the glasses at minimal cost.
@djslack
Re eclipse boxes.
Yeah, the last few times I watched a partial eclipse, I just used a pin to poke a hole in a piece of paper. Then held the paper out a few feet above the ground and watched the concrete underneath it. You could watch the eclipse happen by just looking at the sidewalk.
Here are some eclipse images created by leaves.
People who wish to be safe can let the trees focus the images for them.
@Barney
We have Kroger. Will check tomorrow.
If I can get good ones there I can cancel Amazon.
Are you going to see it in totality?
I thought about it. Even thought about flying into KC airport and going outside, them flying right back.
But … I dithered. And I didn’t make work arrangements. And the potential traffic problems deterred me.
The drive there and back in a single day didn’t bother me. That part would be cool. The drive with lots of immoveable traffic jams thrown in … No way to estimate if I’ll be stuck for hours and hours or not … Kinda gave up on it.
: p
@Barney
I hope you are sure that your Lunts are the real deal. B&H photo is depending on the supplier to not ship crap.
One reason I ordered these from Amazon is that the manufacturer linked directly to them from the manufacturer’s websute. And they are sold and shipped by the manufacturer. And the manufacturer is linked to by space.com.
So I am hoping they are not counterfeit.
@f00l I think we will be around 90%. That’s good enough for me. Cancel the Amazon order. I’m still sending you the four extra glasses i have. They will get to you in two days, Wed or Thursday. from when i mail them on monday.
@f00l The path of totality in 2024 probably covers you without going anywhere, and the centerline is only a couple hours away from me (the edge of totality is an hour away).
@f00l Do what you want, if you are concerned that these are not the real deal. Do you want me to send the glasses or not? It doesn’t matter to me one way or the other.
@djslack
I’m in Texas. Where I am we will get between 60-70%.
I’ve seen a number of partials. They’re fun. I may watch the full deal on my phone.
@f00l Better yet, just forget it. i don’t want to mess with it.
@Barney
Yeah send them. Sorry. I didn’t mean to be presumptuous.
I just realized than some of the counterfeiters apparently counterfeited respectable names.
I think you can test by just looking they them. If you can see anything much, other than the sun or a welding torch, questionable. If they appear to be close to blackout glasses, I think they are real.
You are awesome awesome awesome awesome awesome awesome awesome.
In Harry Potter, 7 is a magic number so you getting 7 awesomes. Plus the extra one in the sentence I just finished.
@Barney
Ooops. If you don’t wanna send them, don’t. I’m sorry if I created problems. I didn’t wanna cause trouble or hassle for anyone.
I didn’t mean to. My apologies. : (
@f00l @barney
i love you
you love me
we’re a happy family
With a great big hug
And a kiss from me to you
Won’t you say you love me too?
@Yoda_Daenerys
Yeah. Love you.
@f00l - Hello-o guys - there are definitive answers to your questions over here.
There is a link to show which libraries are offering glasses, lists of reputable vendors, and how to check to see if your glasses are safe.
This is where I ordered my glasses, they’re on the list, certified, and they shipped the next day. I do have one extra pair if someone needs it, but I might give it to my neighbor.
eta - most of the cheaper ones seem to be sold out at that place.
@KDemo
Much thx. Incidentally, my library is not on the magic list. A library I will likely be near at the right time is in the list tho.
@Yoda_Daenerys
@kdemo
@Bathey
Looks like B&H photo still has the Lunt glasses in stock.
Not at the best price anymore, but cheaper than many places.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1353642-REG/lunt_solar_systems_lseglasses5_solar_eclipse_viewing_glasses.html
i wonder if wearing all 10 pairs of these Meh. glasses in parallel would rate iso certification
/youtube springsteen blinded by the light
/youtube manfred mann blinded by the light
/giphy blinded by the light
/image blinded by the light
@springsteen well done
So back in April i had no idea this was happening. Now we’re taking off work and driving 10-12 hours, camping all weekend, and hoping to get a good view south of St. Louis before driving home to go to work the next day. I guess we got excited.
@djslack
/giphy sucked in
I’m somewhere between quivering with anxious anticipation and totally non plussed.
@cranky1950
No wonder you’re cranky then.
/giphy quivering
@cranky1950 “surprised and confused so much that they are unsure how to react”?
https://meh.com/forum/topics/red-rock-canyon-45l-backpack#5997b6c75f15f503f48a3012
We’re getting about 91% totality here. Staying home and watching TV.
Happening at 10:23 am. Definite possibility of clouds.
Feeling pretty meh about the whole thing. More excited about new containers arriving for my crafting stamps.
I’m excited! But then I’m excited about my 7 pounds of candy corn too. And my new Bluetooth speaker that fits in a cupholder. It fits perfectly in a cupholder! How awesome is that?
It worked out well we got there and setup right at the beginning of the eclipse. Right at totality a cloud came over and it was ok as it wasn’t very dense and sortta helped things. We maded Turkey and pepperjack with spinach and mater sammiches and guzzled soda water. It was hot as hell but the market umbrella made it bearable. Many thanks to Oconee County for mowing the swales on Hwy 11 Sat. Where the hell all the people came from on the ride home I have no idea but the ride home turned into a total goat rope.