Solar Eclipse today... did you see totality?

If you're lucky - that is, if you are one of about 21 million people across the U.S. who live in the path of totality, or perhaps you traveled to see it, and if the weather permitted you a good view - and that's a few "ifs", you managed to see the rare cosmic event. During the 2+ minutes, it was as dark as nighttime, and it may have cooled off a bit, as well.

If you didn't see it, and you want to know what it looked like, then here's a photo...

Preparing for the August 21st event... Tracing the path of the 2017 Solar Eclipse

The total solar eclipse of August 21st is truly a one of a kind for the U.S.... the first visible across the country in almost 100 years. Approximately 21 million people live in the path of totality, and likely as many more will travel to the path of totality to see the event. If you can't see it live, then try to live-stream it. For me, it's close to home, and so my interest and determination to see it is increasing every day...

the August 21st Total Solar Eclipse... the Path Across the U.S.

The video above is a good visualization of the path across the U.S.

Another good option for making sure you're in the right place at the right time is this interactive Google map... (small scale overview shown below), which will give you the exact details you need...

The Night Sky - explaining America's Total Solar Eclipse (August 21, 2017)

This is one of the best explanatory videos that I've seen. If you can, you should try and watch or live-stream this cosmic event...  August 21st, 2017, starting at before 9:00 am (reaching totality about 10:12 am), near Lincoln City, Oregon. This interactive Google map will help you plot the times for your location.

So, happy watching...

Wil

Preparing for the August Solar Eclipse - what it will look like from Earth (flatscreen)

A Solar Eclipse - in the right place?

Normally I confine my blog posts to topics that are relevant to my writing, but every now and then, there are local events that absolutely require some attention in my blog.  The tsunami that hit Crescent City, California and other places on the US and Canadian west coast, back in March 2011, is one such event, and the Solar Eclipse this Sunday evening is another.  This HuffPost piece describes many details.  

The Annular Eclipse will last about four minutes, at about 6:30 pm, in northern California.  The ring of fire, a feature of these types of eclipse, should be well worth taking the time to see (carefully).  

A person who witnessed this type of eclipse over in Maine, a few years ago, described being able to see rings of fire all over the forest floor.  I wonder how much of that will repeat this evening.

In any event, for those not in the path, this site, of the Slooh Space Camera, is broadcasting the event live, and is a great way to monitor and view the eclipse from anywhere in the world.  In fact the coastal weather forecast for this evening in northern California is cloudy, so the web may be the best place to watch.  For all those interested, I hope you take a look.