So, about that eclipse...

[Armor and Sword]

Carbondale, Illinois is in the path of this eclipse, as well as the eclipse coming in seven years. The Ark of the Covenant must be there.

The collection of Indian mounds known as Cahokia is not far from there, about a 100 miles north, across from St. Louis. It has the largest Pre-Colombian earthen structure (Monks Mound) north of Mexico. I climbed it once, you get a nice view of St. Louis from the top, though it looks like a landfill. It is also said to be more populated 1000 years ago than London was at that time, 10,000-20,000 people.

Archaeologist are still trying to figure out what attracted so many people to that place.

https://www.livescience.com/22737-cahokia.html

 

[RU848789]

Tell me you didn't look straight into the sun trying to see the moon for 1-2 seconds. Check your vision closely to see if you have any lingering damage.. not that you can do anything about it now. I could be wrong, but if you go into a dark room and shut out the light you might see a sun shape in the blackness.. covering your eyes with your hands might do it as well. (some other site I read said it might take 20-30 seconds.. not sure who to believe).


From linky

"If you do look at the sun accidentally, you'll almost certainly have a red or green or purple spot in your vision right after, and that's called bleaching, and usually that will get better over the course of a few minutes or an hour," said Van Gelder. "If that blind spot persists for a few hours or certainly by the next day, it probably indicates that you've damaged the retina. If that's the case, you want to get that diagnosed fairly quickly."​

That's only near totality, where looking at the sun is much more "comfortable" than areas like ours that were <80% covered. Where there is still a lot of sun uncovered, more than enough unfiltered sunlight gets through to make staring at the sun uncomfortable very quickly, protecting one from damage. I only looked for about a second at a time, several times. No damage and don't expect any since if glancing at the sun for 1 second caused blindness, there would be a blindness epidemic on the planet.

http://www.slate.com/blogs/future_t...eally_to_look_at_the_sun_without_glasses.html

The answer seems to be: Yes, you can probably peek at the eclipse without permanently damaging your vision. It’s just that no one really wants to come right out and say that, because the precise level of risk is unknown—whereas cases of serious eye damage from staring at the sun during an eclipse have been well-documented.

Looking straight at the sun is never a great idea. But the truth is that the sun’s rays are not inherently more destructive to your eyes during an eclipse than they are at any other time. In fact, you’re likely to incur very little, if any damage, if you live in the path of total eclipse and glance at the phenomenon during the brief period in which the sun is fully blocked. It’s the partial eclipse that you have to worry about.

 

[RU848789]

Life-changing?

Just reporting what I heard - it's not my description. My guess is it falls into the "pretty freakin' awesome" category, but not life changing.

 

[RU848789]

absolutely understand anyone in NNJ saying it seemed like nothing...very little to see here at all. as 4real stated, 70% coverage is not 70% darkness. maybe about 10 % darkness at most. Sort of like a sunny day that gets a bit yellow with a storm coming in...

Very very disappointed based on expectations. someone that knows what 70% is should have been honest in the news that it would still be bright sunshine.

Yeah, they kind of downplayed that in the media and they also downplayed how important it was to be in a non-cloudy area, since clouds obscure an eclipse as well as they do the full sun - glad my friends fled Charleston for clear skies 3-4 hours inland. I still thought it was pretty cool outside of totality, but as the stories I've linked to mostly said, huge difference between even 99% coverage and totality.

 

[anon_ivydyf0amkzay]

https://www.nesdis.noaa.gov/content/multimedia

This thread needs weather geekiness....

 

[koleszar]

Now everyone in NJ knows that 75% of an eclipse does not = 75% dark.

Yes I was one of those idiots who thought it would be darker. Basically the clouds when they were out today made it darker than a 75% eclipse in clear skies. Kind of sucked after all the build up.

 

[RUaMoose_rivals]

A few clouds but no eclipse in Northern NJ.

Such overhype, disappointment, a disgrace

Indeed..more bs media hype. I thought it would actually get somewhat dark based on all the hype.

 

[yesrutgers01]

Yeah, they kind of downplayed that in the media and they also downplayed how important it was to be in a non-cloudy area, since clouds obscure an eclipse as well as they do the full sun - glad my friends fled Charleston for clear skies 3-4 hours inland. I still thought it was pretty cool outside of totality, but as the stories I've linked to mostly said, huge difference between even 99% coverage and totality.

Clear sky here entire time in Mahwah. 2:44 looked like it may have been 3:30??? lol seriously, what damn hype for nothing in most the country...they had me believing it may look like 8pm

 

[RUinPinehurst]

Visited Max Patch on the AT in western NC today for the eclipse. Not totality, but pretty close. Unfortunately, clouds interfered a bit at the optimal time. Still, a very neat experience, on this bald mountaintop, offering a 360-degree view. Quite a gathering there of young families, couples, college kids, retirees, old hippies and young hipsters... you name it. Even had a bluegrass trio assembled; they played "Moonshadow" at the two-minutes of peak near-totality. Eery lighting for a bit. Birds (swallows?) rose up from the vegetation at that moment, joining together, circling, then scattering. Good time.

 

[FanuSanu52]

The amount of darkness I saw was pretty cool. Kinda an eerie light level given that it was a bright blue, cloudless sky but seemed more like a fully overcast day in terms of light shining down.

Wouldn't have really wanted it full-on dark in the middle of the day; leave that to those weirdos in AK.

 

[koleszar]

Wouldn't have really wanted it full-on dark in the middle of the day; leave that to those weirdos in AK.

I did, I have my guys working on a big project at my farm so I'm at home this week. I wanted to see what the chickens and pigs would do. When it starts getting dark they run home. I wanted to see them freak out.

 

[RJM_Go_RU]

A few of us from work went outside at around the time. Didn't see much but was a nice excuse to goof off for a few minutes.

 

[RU848789]

Clear sky here entire time in Mahwah. 2:44 looked like it may have been 3:30??? lol seriously, what damn hype for nothing in most the country...they had me believing it may look like 8pm

I wouldn't go that far. While it wasn't dark, per se, it was noticeably darker than it normally is when the sun's out - thought it was a cool light with full sun. And the temperature drop was cool too.

 

[anon_ivydyf0amkzay]

At the height of the 75% coverage a deck of clouds moved in...my street lights came on![banana]

If you expected more than a slight dimming, you need to brush up on eclipses...it's funny how some thought it would look like 10pm! [winking]

>90% coverage in 2024! Get ready now!

 

[apgoosebumps]

Saw totality in western nc. Imagine seeing a black fireball floating in the sky, that's the best way I can describe it. Outside of my kids birth probably the most amazing thing I've ever seen!

 

[anon_ivydyf0amkzay]

Saw totality in western nc. Imagine seeing a black fireball floating in the sky, that's the best way I can describe it. Outside of my kids birth probably the most amazing thing I've ever seen!

Could you make out the corona? A solar flare? In some of the videos you can definitely make it out a few twisted ones

 

[cicero grimes]

Eerily enough, the sky reminded me a little of the pre-Sandy sky at the Rutgers-Kent State game.

I was thinking the same thing.

 

[FanuSanu52]

I did, I have my guys working on a big project at my farm so I'm at home this week. I wanted to see what the chickens and pigs would do. When it starts getting dark they run home. I wanted to see them freak out.

Lol, I hope you were planning on showing video.

Was worried about letting my dog out, thought he might wonder what was up with the weird light and look up at the sun. Guess that's not an issue for animals; they mostly just think it's night and get ready for bed, from what I read. So no change for my dog and his 19 hours of daily sleep : )

 

[koleszar]

Lol, I hope you were planning on showing video.

Was worried about letting my dog out, thought he might wonder what was up with the weird light and look up at the sun. Guess that's not an issue for animals; they mostly just think it's night and get ready for bed, from what I read. So no change for my dog and his 19 hours of daily sleep : )

Hopefully in 7 years I can get that video for you. I have Great Pyrenees, they've decided to impose a no fly zone over our farm. As they chase every flying bird that comes over head barking their heads off. They're good at keeping hawks away. It's basically 5 mins. of constant barking followed by a 1/2 hour nap. Must be tough work.

 

[dconifer0]

Yes I was one of those idiots who thought it would be darker. Basically the clouds when they were out today made it darker than a 75% eclipse in clear skies. Kind of sucked after all the build up.

Yeah, it wasn't as dark as I expected. But the light was -- weird. Not just dimmer, but something else, it seemed...

 

[BellyFullOfWhiteDogCrap]

The whole family had a blast here in Ocean Co. The temperature drop and eerie darkening was very cool. Great, teachable moment for young people. Hopefully, some future scientists were inspired today.

 

[RU848789]

Yeah, it wasn't as dark as I expected. But the light was -- weird. Not just dimmer, but something else, it seemed...

My wife, who's a photographer, was inspired by the unusual light to take a whole bunch of pictures. We agreed it was the odd juxtaposition of a clear blue sky with full sun, which is usually blindingly bright, simply just appearing nowhere near that bright - and the light was not the same quality of light one sees when it's simply cloudy and less bright. Hard to explain. Weird is probably a good word for it.

 

[RU848789]

The whole family had a blast here in Ocean Co. The temperature drop and eerie darkening was very cool. Great, teachable moment for young people. Hopefully, some future scientists were inspired today.

#fakescience, lol. Interesting that all the usual suspects believed NASA's predictions on the timing/extent of the eclipse and their safety precautions, but think other NASA scientists, involved in clearly demonstrating global temperature increases over the years, are part of some vast political conspiracy. I hesitate to even post this, as this has been a pretty decent thread, so far, but figure the eclipse is essentially over so why not make the observation.

Was cool watching the NASA TV coverage, as it was uneven and not very polished, which was half the charm - just a bunch of scientists talking about science - including quite a few interviews with HS and college students. Definitely think some future scientists were "born" today.

 

[BellyFullOfWhiteDogCrap]

#fakescience, lol. Interesting that all the usual suspects believed NASA's predictions on the timing/extent of the eclipse and their safety precautions, but think other NASA scientists, involved in clearly demonstrating global temperature increases over the years, are part of some vast political conspiracy. I hesitate to even post this, as this has been a pretty decent thread, so far, but figure the eclipse is essentially over so why not make the observation.

Was cool watching the NASA TV coverage, as it was uneven and not very polished, which was half the charm - just a bunch of scientists talking about science - including quite a few interviews with HS and college students. Definitely think some future scientists were "born" today.

Lol @ The usual suspects. The guy questioning the validity of the eclipse, is also asking if it's safe to look at the sun with binoculars. Too rich. Can't make it up.

 

[_dave_]

A few photographers working on an IMAX documentary borrowed a couple of my brother's filters to try to get a shot of the International Space Station as it crossed the path. This would have only been able to have been seen in one place and for a whopping 0.7 seconds.

My brother had bad luck as he had traveled to St Joseph, MO and was met with clouds and rain. He did get a not-so-special shot of a partial through opening cloud cover.

 

[apgoosebumps]

Could you make out the corona? A solar flare? In some of the videos you can definitely make it out a few twisted ones

Yes, the sun's corona was visible and is what makes the moon look like a fireball. We also saw Bailey's Beads and Diamond Rings. Unfortunately, every video I've seen comes nowhere close to capturing the image seen by the naked eye.

The crowds initial reaction is something I'll never forget either. It's hard to describe the sound of hundreds of people gasping over seeing something truly unique, magical, rare, and awe inspiring all at the same time.

I highly recommend everyone on the board try making it to totality in 2024. Its something you will never forget!

 

[StarryKnight]

Had an absolutely AWESOME experience in Scotts Bluff, Nebraska for the solar eclipse. This was my first time at a total solar eclipse.

A few things surprised me. First, it didn't seem like it was getting darker on the ground until about 10 minutes before totality then it rapidly got darker. However, once totality started, it didn't get any darker than what you'd see about a half hour after sunset. I thought it would have gotten much darker. I was also surprised that the coro...na (essentially the Sun's atmosphere which you can only see during an eclipse) was a bright white as opposed to the Sun's surface which is yellow (as is the corona I'm used to seeing in a bottle).

I got a couple of pictures of the "diamond ring" which is a phenomena at the very beginning and ending of totality when a very slight piece of the Sun peeks out between two mountains on the moon.

I was also able to see Venus almost directly overhead, which can only seen at that elevation during an eclipse. Venus is never more than about 45 degrees from the Sun as seen from Earth. So at most it is only about 45 degrees above the horizon at sunrise or sunset.