Sheepdog1969 Posted March 15 Share Posted March 15 Most times people make plans to watch something turn on. Millions of people across the US, (and other parts of the world), make plans to watch Christmas tree lightings. In Chicago, it is a tradition for many to watch Buckingham fountain turn on each spring. But this spring, millions of people are planning to watch the Sun "turn off". April 8th, 2024 is the date many US States will experience a Total Solar Eclipse. To be clear, the Sun is NOT "turning off", it is just going to be blocked for a few minutes by the Moon, (for those in the specific path of the moon's shadow). Simply put, a total eclipse of the Sun is the most beautiful sight you will ever see in the sky. Nothing can prepare you for the amazing sight when the sky suddenly darkens and the Sun’s corona shines in the sky. No photograph can capture the stunning beauty of a total solar eclipse, you must see it for yourself. Learn about the basics of the solar eclipse at greatamericaneclipse.com/basics and find out more about the wonder of eclipses at greatamericaneclipse.com/splendor. Maybe you too can make plans to go and watch something huge "turn off"! 1 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merciful-evans Posted March 15 Share Posted March 15 The most surprising thing for me was the sudden drop in temperature. It went from warm and sunny to bleak and cold. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanHenry Posted March 15 Share Posted March 15 28 minutes ago, merciful-evans said: The most surprising thing for me was the sudden drop in temperature. It went from warm and sunny to bleak and cold. And wet! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RBSinTo Posted March 15 Share Posted March 15 6 hours ago, Sheepdog1969 said: Most times people make plans to watch something turn on. Millions of people across the US, (and other parts of the world), make plans to watch Christmas tree lightings. In Chicago, it is a tradition for many to watch Buckingham fountain turn on each spring. But this spring, millions of people are planning to watch the Sun "turn off". April 8th, 2024 is the date many US States will experience a Total Solar Eclipse. To be clear, the Sun is NOT "turning off", it is just going to be blocked for a few minutes by the Moon, (for those in the specific path of the moon's shadow). Simply put, a total eclipse of the Sun is the most beautiful sight you will ever see in the sky. Nothing can prepare you for the amazing sight when the sky suddenly darkens and the Sun’s corona shines in the sky. No photograph can capture the stunning beauty of a total solar eclipse, you must see it for yourself. Learn about the basics of the solar eclipse at greatamericaneclipse.com/basics and find out more about the wonder of eclipses at greatamericaneclipse.com/splendor. Maybe you too can make plans to go and watch something huge "turn off"! Sheepdog, I'm so relieved to read that the sun won't actually be turning off. Now I won't have to put on my witch-doctor's outfit, and prance about to beseech the gods to turn it back on, and can just relax. Much appreciated. RBSinTo 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
'Scales Posted March 15 Share Posted March 15 Will we be taxed on this? Will there be a Slash commemorative model?? 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murph Posted March 15 Share Posted March 15 The last one passed over here, and this one does too. All of the motels, and campgrounds and stuff are already booked and they're selling t-shirts. Go, capitalism.... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JO'C Posted March 15 Share Posted March 15 13 hours ago, Sheepdog1969 said: . Nothing can prepare you for the amazing sight when the sky suddenly darkens and the Sun’s corona shines in the sky. No photograph can capture the stunning beauty of a total solar eclipse, you must see it for yourself. Learn about the basics of the solar eclipse at greatamericaneclipse.com/basics and find out more about the wonder of eclipses at greatamericaneclipse.com/splendor. Maybe you too can make plans to go and watch something huge "turn off"! That's great, it's a wonderful phenomenon but... Remember even though nothing can compare to seeing it yourself, you must wear proper viewing glasses or you could go blind. We got some cheap ones on Amazon for $6 for a 5- pack. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rct Posted March 15 Share Posted March 15 If you didn't make your plans last year I doubt there are any hotels left anywhere along totality. We got ours last summer in Cleveland, and didn't even get gouged. rct 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. Pepper Posted March 15 Share Posted March 15 5 hours ago, Murph said: The last one passed over here, and this one does too. All of the motels, and campgrounds and stuff are already booked and they're selling t-shirts. Go, capitalism.... I went to the eclipse and all I got was this stupid T-shirt. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JO'C Posted March 15 Share Posted March 15 My sister-in-law lives in northern Vermont so we have a free place to go. It will be too bad for all those who spent lots to go somewhere and it's a cloudy day. At least it will still get dark for a bit even if it's cloudy. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pinch Posted March 15 Share Posted March 15 They turn off the moon when it's cloudy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdgm Posted March 15 Share Posted March 15 (edited) I've always marveled at the fact the moon appears to cover the Sun exactly from our viewpoint during a total eclipse. As well as the Earth's tilt, our protective magnetic field and the property of water to float when frozen. Edited March 15 by jdgm 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
'Scales Posted March 15 Share Posted March 15 ...and the weird power of beer goggles... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tx-ogre Posted March 15 Share Posted March 15 There are some political hacks here in the Austin area going nuts over this. Closing schools and encouraging government agencies and businesses to close for the day. You’d think Armageddon was coming. I’m surprised these same people haven’t proposed mandatory “duck and cover” drill. Same kinda vibe. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fortyearspickn Posted March 16 Share Posted March 16 SOME political hacks!? You’re being too charitable! Will the bats under the bridge think it’s nighttime and fly out? Maybe they’ll get ahold of some of those politicians! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheepdog1969 Posted March 16 Author Share Posted March 16 10 hours ago, rct said: If you didn't make your plans last year I doubt there are any hotels left anywhere along totality. We got ours last summer in Cleveland, and didn't even get gouged. rct My daughter and I travelling that morning down to Benton, IL, (just over four hours south of me), and plan on watching the event outside of town on an open country road. Since the eclipse only lasts for just over 4 minutes, I don't see the need to pay for anything other than lunch, the gas to get there and back, and the 5 bucks for two pair of appropriate viewing glasses. Thought it would be a fun day trip to experience the event with my kid. I'm still waiting for my invite from Murph to attend his massive viewing party, lol! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retired Posted March 16 Share Posted March 16 Seen it. I still remember the last one. Best to watch it through a welding helmet or a sun lens. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tx-ogre Posted March 16 Share Posted March 16 3 hours ago, fortyearspickn said: SOME political hacks!? You’re being too charitable! Will the bats under the bridge think it’s nighttime and fly out? Maybe they’ll get ahold of some of those politicians! Well, this is Austin. The state capital and San Francisco of Texas. The home of political hacks, on both sides of the aisle.. Pretty scary to see up close and personal every day. Just reinforces my mantra: All politicians suck. Some just suck less than others. And I wouldn’t shed a single tear if the bats under the bridge flew out and dragged their sorry a$$es somewhere far away from here. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murph Posted March 16 Share Posted March 16 8 hours ago, Sheepdog1969 said: I'm still waiting for my invite from Murph to attend his massive viewing party, lol! I own 30 acres of woods, about a mile out (separate property) from my house. The last eclipse was before I retired so I was at work. My wife was off that day and went out to our property because she wanted to see/hear the wildlife reaction. She said it was eerie as heck, crickets started cricketing, and stuff. So that's what we're going to do, go into the woods, there is an area I mow by a small pond that's perfect for viewing the sky. If you have a 4x4 with pretty good ground clearance that you don't mind getting a few scratches, I can get you in. It's another hour and a half one way from Benton. And, you'll have to sign the SRF. "Squatch Release Form"... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saturn Posted March 16 Share Posted March 16 Here on the east coast, we will get a partial eclipse. I still plan to view it with glasses. We had a total back in 2017. It was really cool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badbluesplayer Posted March 16 Share Posted March 16 We had one that was like 96%. I couldn't have been more bored. It gets dark every night where I live and eclipses aren't complicated enough for me to get all silly. The moon is in front of the sun. BFD. When the sun gets in front of the moon I'll pay attention. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pinch Posted March 16 Share Posted March 16 21 minutes ago, badbluesplayer said: We had one that was like 96%. I couldn't have been more bored. It gets dark every night where I live and eclipses aren't complicated enough for me to get all silly. The moon is in front of the sun. BFD. When the sun gets in front of the moon I'll pay attention. I'll call it "the Cosmic Greeny Humbucker Phase Happening". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fortyearspickn Posted March 16 Share Posted March 16 36 minutes ago, badbluesplayer said: We had one that was like 96%. I couldn't have been more bored. It gets dark every night where I live and eclipses aren't complicated enough for me to get all silly. The moon is in front of the sun. BFD. When the sun gets in front of the moon I'll pay attention. Yep. Been through a couple of near misses - but aa Total in the late 60s on the Virginia. coast. "Is that all there is?" comes to mind. BPP - if the sun gets in front of the moon, I think we'll need something more than special viewing glasses. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Notes_Norton Posted March 16 Share Posted March 16 I went all the way to Rexford Iowa to see the last one, and it was well worth the trip. IMO it's something everyone should see at least once if they can. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gearbasher Posted March 16 Share Posted March 16 Somebody had to do it: 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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