08/21/17 Total eclipse -- Time to get serious.

Quote: Ibeatyouraces

I see a total solar eclipse all the time. I call it "night" :-)~

To be clear, night is technically a total eclipse of the earth. Like the solar eclipse is when the moon blocks the sun and the lunar eclipse is when the earth blocks the moon, night is when the earth blocks the sun (from where you are sitting).

Quote: boymimbo

To be clear, night is technically a total eclipse of the earth. Like the solar eclipse is when the moon blocks the sun and the lunar eclipse is when the earth blocks the moon, night is when the earth blocks the sun (from where you are sitting).

Read what you typed and you'll see your error. I know what I said was technically not an eclipse and meant as a joke, but the item being "eclipsed" is what disappears from view. Since the sun disappears due to the earth blocking my view of it, just as the moon blocks it, it's still another form of solar eclipse.

Again, my post was meant as a joke and not to be taken seriously. ;-)

Quote: Ayecarumba

Once totality occurs, you can, and should for the two minutes or so it will last, observe the event with your naked eyes. These fleeting moments are what makes being in the direct path of the shadow so special.

I have not read the remaining six or ten pages, felt I should react to this promptly.

My understanding is it takes time for the suns rays to reach earth. This idea you can observe with your naked eyes may prove harmful.

This "understanding" is from memory of an eclipse survivor, me. I was in South America during a total eclipse. It's a unique experience. Makes you feel human.

Quote: NokTang

I have not read the remaining six or ten pages, felt I should react to this promptly.

My understanding is it takes time for the suns rays to reach earth. This idea you can observe with your naked eyes may prove harmful.

This "understanding" is from memory of an eclipse survivor, me. I was in South America during a total eclipse. It's a unique experience. Makes you feel human.

Do tell. Note the use of the term "totality". Not a second before nor after.

Quote: Ibeatyouraces

Read what you typed and you'll see your error. I know what I said was technically not an eclipse and meant as a joke, but the item being "eclipsed" is what disappears from view. Since the sun disappears due to the earth blocking my view of it, just as the moon blocks it, it's still another form of solar eclipse.

Again, my post was meant as a joke and not to be taken seriously. ;-)

Quote: Ibeatyouraces

Read what you typed and you'll see your error. I know what I said was technically not an eclipse and meant as a joke, but the item being "eclipsed" is what disappears from view. Since the sun disappears due to the earth blocking my view of it, just as the moon blocks it, it's still another form of solar eclipse.

Again, my post was meant as a joke and not to be taken seriously. ;-)

As was my response!

At age 11 my classmates and I were led outside to watch an eclipse. Just old enough to understand directions and just young enough to disregard them. Had to take steroid drops for one eye IIRC. Still a very little bit color blind in one eye. Use protection to enjoy.

To issue a correction, I plan to view the eclipse from Lime, Oregon. If I can't find parking, I'll settle for Huntington. As I recall, that area also has nice views of the Snake River.

It is a little further from Boise, where I'm spending the night before, but it is more on the way to South Sister, the third highest peak in Oregon, which I plan to climb the next day.

Any suggestions / links as to purchasing the specialized disposable glasses used to view the eclipse?

Quote: Ayecarumba

Do tell. Note the use of the term "totality". Not a second before nor after.

This site says it takes 8 minutes for the sun's rays to reach your eyes.

https://phys.org/news/2013-04-sunlight-earth.html

The point made back when I was as I say, an eclipse viewer, we were(if memory serves) warned not to ever look directly at the event without protection. Back then, we used some sort of reflection thing a ma jig. I'm also searching my mind for specific memory of a group of Peruvian Indians who suffered blindness because of staring at an eclipse.

Bottom line, I think we need an answer to the question you and I are discussing. Can you safely look with the naked eye at an eclipse when in "totality"? I remain convinced the time it takes the rays to reach here makes that unwise. God Bless You and OO.