08/21/17 Total eclipse -- Time to get serious.
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19 members have voted
I plan to sleep in (I'll have stayed up late at the casino), and watch the eclipse from the front porch while sipping my morning coffee.
If as often is the case it is too foggy or cloudy to see the eclipse, then plan 9 from outer space is to watch it on TV.
I wonder if this strip is a self-referential joke, that her eyes look dots of ink because she is a drawn in ink.
Quote: WizardHere is the 7-18-1963 Peanuts strip.
I wonder if this strip is a self-referential joke, that her eyes look dots of ink because she is a drawn in ink.
I have no doubt it is. Chuck was always willing to laugh at himself first, every interview I saw or read.
What's a quick way to determine if the moon is waning or waxing?
Quote: odiousgambitWhat's a quick way to determine if the moon is waning or waxing?
If the moon is "following" the sun (i.e. it rises during the day and sets at night), it is waxing. If it is preceding the sun (i.e. it rises at night and sets during the day), it is waning.
I have no idea why Linus said it is especially dangerous to view a total eclipse directly.
Regarding those viewers, I made a few when I was a kid for partial eclipses. We were told to make them at school out of a shoe box, which I think is a bad idea. Linus' method of two sheets is better, where you can adjust the distance between them. This is because you can have control of the focus, thus a sharper image of the eclipse. Or just stand under a leafy tree and you will see lots of crescents on the ground as the sun shines through the gaps between the leaves.
Quote: odiousgambitwas looking at the moon recently and realized we haven't gone through the full moon phase yet - the eclipse requires that it be a new moon phase of course.
What's a quick way to determine if the moon is waning or waxing?Imagine the moon is a bow and arrow, the arrow unseen. Whichever way the bow is pointing will be the horizon where the moon is heading for a new moon or full moon at the time of sunrise. You have to maintain an image of the bow as it was as a crescent when the moon is largely filled
I imagine that the moon is a book with white pages and a black cover.
the book is closed at new moon. as you open the book, as if to read it, the white pages are revealed first as a sliver on the right (waxing crescent) all the way to full. as you finish the book and close it, the white receeds slightly from the right (waning gibbous) continuing to get smaller until the waning crescent on the left, and then the book closes at new moon again.
Quote: Dalex64I imagine that the moon is a book with white pages and a black cover.
the book is closed at new moon. as you open the book, as if to read it, the white pages are revealed first as a sliver on the right (waxing crescent) all the way to full. as you finish the book and close it, the white receeds slightly from the right (waning gibbous) continuing to get smaller until the waning crescent on the left, and then the book closes at new moon again.
That works, as we can see below.
When it is in the first or third quarter [confusingly also called a half-moon by people] I have to think that gives the most pause to the average person to make the call. If you've been keeping up all along, no problem of course.
Well, we all can bone up on this things as the event proceeds; a trivia question could be about seeing a crescent moon in the morning before sunrise, and asking if someone knows if that is waning or waxing. Or what does a moon in first or third quarter look like ?[you might get an argument]
How does a watchmaker deal with the cycle being 29.5 days when he wants to show full and new moon correctly without constant adjusting?
Trying to help you out with the triv Q's, Wizard!
Why did you schedule the eclipse event on this date?
August 21 has the best likelihood of clear skies for optimum viewing, so it was our preferred date.
But there may well be a whole new bunch of fires and resultant smoke to deal with.
I'm just waiting for another big burn down at the Oregon coast: ideal conditions.
Quote: smoothgrhIn case anyone was wondering why Spirit Mountain Casino in Oregon is having its eclipse viewing party on August 21, they offer this handy FAQ:
Why did you schedule the eclipse event on this date?
August 21 has the best likelihood of clear skies for optimum viewing, so it was our preferred date.
My brother-in-law says whoever wrote that probably had some fun with it, which makes more sense. I took their writing seriously, but really, how could anyone write from the perspective that they had a choice on the date?
Quote: onenickelmiracleI'm wondering if this eclipse will be associated with terrorist attacks. They like timing things with events like these, locations of stars, moons, planets etc., they think they have meaning.
If they are looking for a high body count with a cheap homemade bomb, then I worry you could be right.
Whoa!
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_eclipse_of_April_8,_2024
Quote: IbeatyouracesWho's already making plans for April 8th, 2024?
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_eclipse_of_April_8,_2024
You just made them for me. Passing right over my house.
Guess WoVCon East XI is set.
The problem is I don't remember all the details of how I got as far as I did the first time and all I get under all kinds of settings is a white blob. Back and forth I went between my camera outside and Google to adjust the aperture value and shutter speed. However, either my camera is malfunctioning or these photography web sites assume the reader is already about three levels higher than me. Multiple sources have recommended I set my Canon Rebel T3i on Av and then use the dial to set it to f/11. However, the dial DOESN'T DO ANYTHING.
I don't know what to say. I've spent about two hours on this have have gotten nowhere. Just one white blob after another. Keep in mind that during the eclipse I'll have two minutes to get things right, not two hours. I'm sure a photography expert would say, "You dufus, you had the blah blah blah set to blah blah blah, while overrides any manual changes." This damn camera has buttons and dials all over the place and I barely understand any of them. At this point I'm tempted to just leave all the photography crap I purchased for the event at home and just sit back and watch and to hell with pictures of it. Also worth noting that getting the perfect picture of the moon at night is a totally different animal than getting the perfect eclipse shot.
Right now I feel like punching holes in the wall.
Quote: WizardWell, I'm pretty damn frustrated this evening. You may recall (but probably don't) my last post about photographing the moon. I had things pretty well nailed down and the only problem was my shaky hands pressing the shutter, causing some blurring. So, I bought a remote shutter switch and it finally arrived.
The problem is I don't remember all the details of how I got as far as I did the first time and all I get under all kinds of settings is a white blob. Back and forth I went between my camera outside and Google to adjust the aperture value and shutter speed. However, either my camera is malfunctioning or these photography web sites assume the reader is already about three levels higher than me. Multiple sources have recommended I set my Canon Rebel T3i on Av and then use the dial to set it to f/11. However, the dial DOESN'T DO ANYTHING.
I don't know what to say. I've spent about two hours on this have have gotten nowhere. Just one white blob after another. Keep in mind that during the eclipse I'll have two minutes to get things right, not two hours. I'm sure a photography expert would say, "You dufus, you had the blah blah blah set to blah blah blah, while overrides any manual changes." This damn camera has buttons and dials all over the place and I barely understand any of them. At this point I'm tempted to just leave all the photography crap I purchased for the event at home and just sit back and watch and to hell with pictures of it. Also worth noting that getting the perfect picture of the moon at night is a totally different animal than getting the perfect eclipse shot.
Right now I feel like punching holes in the wall.
Nice rant.
I think you should live the eclipse, bathe in it, not eff around with photography. You've been counting down for years, now you want to screw with f stops and apertures while it happens live? Treat yourself to a big, silver-quality (Ansel Adams type) print for your wall when you see just the right one. There will be thousands of pros trying to get that perfect shot; you'll find one.
JMHO. I'm constantly struck with how many people see the truly amazing things in their lives second-hand these days. Like when the Pope visited. People had the opportunity to look him in the eyes, feel his goodness, be touched by him directly, but most of them saw him through a lens in their phone.
One of those moments for me was buying an artwork from a somewhat famous artist. He wrote me a poem on the back, and then had me pose for him while he sketched me. The electicity and concentration in his eyes as he drew me was so intense, it was like nothing I'd ever experienced, but I would have missed it entirely if I'd been taking pictures instead of just absorbing the minutes I had with him.
Supposedly we're going to lose it anyways in 620 million years. Maybe within that time we'll some humanoid or AI society will fix it.Quote: MrVBe neat if terrorists blew up the moon at the moment of totality.
Whoa!
I still don't understand your objective in trying to photograph a full moon as part of trying to establish exposure settings for a photograph of an eclipse (new moon plus background sun.)Quote: WizardThe problem is I don't remember all the details of how I got as far as I did the first time and all I get under all kinds of settings is a white blob.
Quote: beachbumbabsNice rant.
I think you should live the eclipse, bathe in it, not eff around with photography. You've been counting down for years, now you want to screw with f stops and apertures while it happens live? Treat yourself to a big, silver-quality (Ansel Adams type) print for your wall when you see just the right one. There will be thousands of pros trying to get that perfect shot; you'll find one.
JMHO. I'm constantly struck with how many people see the truly amazing things in their lives second-hand these days. Like when the Pope visited. People had the opportunity to look him in the eyes, feel his goodness, be touched by him directly, but most of them saw him through a lens in their phone.
One of those moments for me was buying an artwork from a somewhat famous artist. He wrote me a poem on the back, and then had me pose for him while he sketched me. The electicity and concentration in his eyes as he drew me was so intense, it was like nothing I'd ever experienced, but I would have missed it entirely if I'd been taking pictures instead of just absorbing the minutes I had with him.
In the sober light of dawn I did some more searching and found this photography forum where somebody had the same problem. I tried remounting the lens but it didn't help. So I put my old lens back on and could adjust the aperture just fine. Something about this 18" telephoto lens I purchased for the eclipse doesn't communicate with my camera. However, I used the same lens for my old moon pictures and they somehow came out okay. Maybe I could adjust the aperture with my old lens and then switch.
Regarding your advice, I would agree with it for a first total eclipse viewing. However, this is my second. I was hoping to come away with something that I didn't in the first one.
The gibbous are cool when they're yellow, looks like a lemon or a corn kernel.Quote: odiousgambitThat works, as we can see below.
When it is in the first or third quarter [confusingly also called a half-moon by people] I have to think that gives the most pause to the average person to make the call. If you've been keeping up all along, no problem of course.
Well, we all can bone up on this things as the event proceeds; a trivia question could be about seeing a crescent moon in the morning before sunrise, and asking if someone knows if that is waning or waxing. Or what does a moon in first or third quarter look like ?[you might get an argument]
How does a watchmaker deal with the cycle being 29.5 days when he wants to show full and new moon correctly without constant adjusting?he uses a dial that covers 59 days with 2 full moon [etc] symbols on it, one on each end of the dial
Trying to help you out with the triv Q's, Wizard!
Note: Formatting error corrected by management.
I would wait until Wednesday the 16th before you start changing plans. Same is true with everyone. Don't blow off plans because the 10 day forecast calls for clouds or rain.
Hang in there.
Quote: WizardThe big day is only ten days away, within the long-term outlook at weather.com. Unfortunately, Huntington, Oregon is forecast to be "partly cloudy." Right after seven consecutive "sunny" days too. Dang.
Shades of 1963
Meanwhile, for those of us nowhere near the path of totality, I am keeping an eye on who is covering it on TV. So far, only the Science Channel seems to have "coast-to-coast" coverage of it, although you would think NASA, if not some of the major news stations, or even the broadcast networks, would cover it.
Quote: WizardThe big day is only ten days away, within the long-term outlook at weather.com. Unfortunately, Huntington, Oregon is forecast to be "partly cloudy." Right after seven consecutive "sunny" days too. Dang.
Eastern Oregon, with those conditions (35% humidity, 30 degree hi/lo spread) is likely to be a 7 mountain day (you should see the 3 Sisters, Hood, St. Helens, Rainier, one other I can't recall). I don't see where the partly cloudy forecast is coming from; perhaps the Cascades (well west of you) will be slightly occluded, but I would confidently bet the sun will be fully visible . Any moisture should burn off by 10am.
Andrews, NC, OTOH, is showing chance of t-storms and 50% rain. Ugh.
Quote: odiousgambitIf the NC mountains are anything like the VA mountains, they can totally miss the 24 hour forecast !
Hell in western PA we can't trust the daily forcast.. 7 am news said storms around noon today. We have yet to see a drop.
Source: http://www.eclipse2017.org/2017/graphics/EclipseClouds.jpg
Hello,
We’re writing to provide you with important safety information about the eclipse products you purchased on Amazon (order #113-2695973-825XXXX for Green Shade 14 Solar Eclipse Glasses).
To protect your eyes when viewing the sun or an eclipse, NASA and the American Astronomical Society (AAS) advise you to use solar eclipse glasses or other solar filters from recommended manufacturers. Viewing the sun or an eclipse using any other glasses or filters could result in loss of vision or permanent blindness.
Amazon has not received confirmation from the supplier of your order that they sourced the item from a recommended manufacturer. We recommend that you DO NOT use this product to view the sun or the eclipse.
Amazon is applying a balance for the purchase price to Your Account (please allow 7-10 days for this to appear on Your Account). There is no need for you to return the product.
Here are the glasses I purchased.. the ones on the right.
http://www.phillips-safety.com/safety-glasses/solar-eclipse-glasses.html
I'm thinking I'm going to go ahead and use these. They didn't say that they were bad for viewing.. they just said they didn't respond to their question.
thoughts anybody?
Quote: rsactuarySo I got this letter today from Amazon... We recommend that you DO NOT use this product to view the sun or the eclipse... thoughts anybody?
Appears DIN certo is a German (?) standards testing agency, similar to NIST or Underwriter Laboratories:
DIN CERTO Certificates and Registrations
The Amazon ad also notes the International Standards Organization (ISO) standard, and it is the international standard for eclipse-viewing eyeware:
Filters for direct observation of the sun
Assuming the text of the Amazon ad is correct, my best guess is that your eclipse eyeware is exactly what you need.
Quote: LuckyPhowAppears DIN certo is a German (?) standards testing agency, similar to NIST or Underwriter Laboratories:
DIN CERTO Certificates and Registrations
The Amazon ad also notes the International Standards Organization (ISO) standard, and it is the international standard for eclipse-viewing eyeware:
Filters for direct observation of the sun
Assuming the text of the Amazon ad is correct, my best guess is that your eclipse eyeware is exactly what you need.
fwiw, because blindness is not a trivial thing
I have,a friend who runs a school program, non-profit, bringing astronomy to classrooms. He purchased 30,000 pairs and donated them to schools on request. (And he ran out weeks ago. Amazing) They are ISO certified for eclipse viewing.
He got the same type notice you did. It's causing holy hell, with the teachers flipping out. I really think it's a liability thing; amazon or whoever wants no litigation post-eclipse, and did not post disclaimers strong enough to shield themselves prior to sales.
Jmho.
I've got extra sets of anyone is in desperate need.
Sunny
High: 87°
Low: 56°
Precip: 0%
W 7 mph
Humidity: 25%
UV INDEX: 8 of 10
Mainly sunny. High 87F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph.
Quote: WizardThe 8/21 forecast ...
Starting on Wednesday, 15-August, the National Weather Service (NWS) will provide an HOURLY weather update graph for areas experiencing the eclipse: NWS Eclipse Info
Recently I received the following communication from Amazon.com:
"We’re writing to provide you with important safety information about the eclipse products you purchased on Amazon (order #XXXX for Solar Eclipse Glasses | ISO & CE Certified Safe Solar Eclipse Shades | Viewer and Filters | Protection For All Ages (5 Pack)).
To protect your eyes when viewing the sun or an eclipse, NASA and the American Astronomical Society (AAS) advise you to use solar eclipse glasses or other solar filters from recommended manufacturers. Viewing the sun or an eclipse using any other glasses or filters could result in loss of vision or permanent blindness.
Amazon has not received confirmation from the supplier of your order that they sourced the item from a recommended manufacturer. We recommend that you DO NOT use this product to view the sun "
They credited my account with the purchase price.
this has happened to me as well; I went to the website of the company and at that site they confirm that it conforms to the ISO standard. Clearly, the problem then is that Amazon wants a more official confirmation, one that suits their legal department. I feel OK with the website claim
One thing that is going on is that previously a type was allowed that cautioned not to use them for more than 3 minutes, or somesuch. Wisely, I think, it's been decided that standard was not good enough.
I can only assume they are exaggerating (a little?) for effect, but I think, in addition to gridlocked traffic, you can plan on local restaurants and stores running out of food, water, gas, etc. rather quickly. So make sure you have plenty of supplies with you when you travel to the eclipse zone! I bet toilet paper will be scarce, too.
BTW, Monday's forecast for Highlands: 60% chance of rain. :P
