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Thanks. Yes, that's my understanding. I really want to see one, but this year it's not happening. Seven more years 'til the next chance.
Or if you have a passport and funds to travel, you could go see an eclipse outside the US. There are companies that specialize in eclipse tours, and South America has a pair of nice ones coming up in 2019 and 2020.
(I've already marked April 8, 2024 as a vacation day - assuming I'm still working by then. Wacon, TX here I come!)
Did you see the totality? That doesn't require any eye protection, so the fact that you used something over your eyes tells me you probably just saw a partial?
I'd agree that just seeing the moon cover part of the sun is not that interesting. But totality is something else entirely... or at least that's what I've read, not having had the privilege of seeing one in person.
From what I understand, very few people actually saw that 1979 eclipse, unless they were in an airplane. The entire eclipse path from Oregon to North Dakota and into Canada was socked in with clouds. My family moved away from my hometown in North Dakota a few years before the eclipse, so I missed it. Which always made me kind of sad. But from my memory of what the weather was like, it would have probably been snowing during the eclipse anyway, or at least very cloudy.
From what I understand, very few people actually saw that 1979 eclipse, unless they were in an airplane. The entire eclipse path from Oregon to North Dakota and into Canada was socked in with clouds. My family moved away from my hometown in North Dakota a few years before the eclipse, so I missed it. Which always made me kind of sad. But from my memory of what the weather was like, it would have probably been snowing during the eclipse anyway, or at least very cloudy.
Interesting. I'm not sure I knew that. I was in high school at the time and had briefly considered driving to that eclipse. I had a friend who was also keen on astronomy who may have joined me. But a long drive in the winter in a not-so-new car wouldn't have been a good idea. Kind of doubtful my parents would have approved it anyway.
I do remember the day of that eclipse, a clear day in my hometown. We were sitting in English class and were not even permitted to go outside. At the time there was an automated phone line where one could call to get the current temperature in town. One of our classmates did convince the teacher to call for the temperature at the beginning of class and then during the eclipse. The reported temperature did drop by one degree, for what it's worth!
I will have a field open for people to park in the upstate of SC, if anyone is interested. Its an open field and should provide a good view. If anyone is interested PM me to get details.
(Mods, if I'm breaking a rule here, please delete.)
Last edited by UpstateJohn; 08-01-2017 at 03:11 PM..
the last total solar eclipse in the lower 48 was 38 years ago.
Maybe it was a partial? I remember one when I was in elementary school. We all went outside and watched with what I now know was totally unacceptable eye protection. Those were the days
ETA: There was an Annular eclipse on 5/30/84 that was 98% visiable from where my school was. I'm guessing that was it.
As a personal aside, I saw an 88% or so totality eclipse in Baton Rouge in 1984. Trippin' Cool Beyond Belief!
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