Transit of Venus Watching? (Mountain Ranch: club, photos, children)

[bloom]

Originally Posted by oddstray

That makes it dangerous rather than handy.

And worse, it gives watching kids the idea that you can, sometimes, look at the sun and avoid damage. The occasions when that's true are so rare, and one's vision is so valuable, that I would never count on clouds to filter UV. (Besides, I sunburn on cloudy days. Believe me - UV is still pouring through!)

True, but layer was particularly thick. Just some quick ganders. It is impossible to do with a clear sky or wispy clouds without getting some serious damage.

[oddstray]

Originally Posted by bloom

True, but layer was particularly thick. Just some quick ganders. It is impossible to do with a clear sky or wispy clouds without getting some serious damage.

Yeah ... uhhh ...

What's not really explained is that the damage done by looking at the sun is like the damage from being irradiated. One exposure isn't likely to noticeably damage you, unless it's a massive dose. It's repeated exposures that cause noticeable accumulated damage.

That's why so many pirates were blind in one eye. Their navigation tool required them to sight directly into the sun. Enough times of doing that burned out enough of their retina to pretty much blind that eye.

[anna_pi0314]

Well, it looks like we will be making the trek to (nearly) Mexico. Wish us luck on not getting lost and I hope to see other people there.

[Clark Fork Fantast]

You can watch the transit at Cal State San Marcos and Palomar College:

SAN MARCOS: College, university to offer viewings of Venus transit : San Marcos

• • Cal State San Marcos will offer solar telescope viewing of the transit of Venus from 3:30 p.m. to sunset Tuesday at Double Peak Park in San Elijo Hillls, 900 Double Peak Drive, off San Elijo Road.

  • The Palomar College Planetarium will provide viewing of the transit from 2:30 p.m. to sunset. Telescopes equipped with solar filters will be set up on the patio. Officials will give educational shows every 45 minutes inside the new planetarium theater. Visitors should take Comet Circle off Mission Road to Lot 5, across from the planetarium. Parking is free in Lot 5 only.

[sdhkshdcny09]

Cal State San Marcos is offering a free event at Double Peak park if anyone is interested.

[oddstray]

Carmel Mountain may be fogged in. If so, we'll be out at Dos Picos.

Palomar is predicted to be clear. San Marcos is predicted to have "patchy fog", but that's after 11 PM.

[bloom]

Originally Posted by oddstray

Yeah ... uhhh ...

What's not really explained is that the damage done by looking at the sun is like the damage from being irradiated. One exposure isn't likely to noticeably damage you, unless it's a massive dose. It's repeated exposures that cause noticeable accumulated damage.

That's why so many pirates were blind in one eye. Their navigation tool required them to sight directly into the sun. Enough times of doing that burned out enough of their retina to pretty much blind that eye.

Arg, I thought that was also due to swashbuckling mishaps.

[anna_pi0314]

Originally Posted by Clark Fork Fantast

You can watch the transit at Cal State San Marcos and Palomar College:

SAN MARCOS: College, university to offer viewings of Venus transit : San Marcos

Thank you! It is good to have options that don't include an hour car ride with a toddler.

[1AngryTaxPayer]

1 mile up the road to mt laguna off the 8. Big lot and usually packed.

[bloom]

Is there a live online site to watch that someone can provide link to?