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Total Solar Eclipse 2024

L

Linc

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If you have to drive and stay at a motel, don't wait any longer to make reservations.
The motel prices are quite high around Indianapolis.
We're going to Indiana since only far southern Illinois has the total eclipse, like 2017.

www.almanac.com

Total Solar Eclipse 2024: Path of Totality Across Americas!

The 2024 Total Solar Eclipse will be the biggest celestial events in the United States in our lifetime. Nearly 32 million people are within the path of totality which will stretch across the U.S.! Here's an eclipse map and tips.
www.almanac.com www.almanac.com
 
Luckily, we have several family members in the path Including ourselves.

We converged on Nashville in 2017. I think everyone is staying home this time.
 
Have some family right outside of Indy, but I'll stay put where I'm at. Be over 90% for me here.
Will have solar scope at the ready, but probably end up clouded out.
 
"
  • Greatest eclipse: at 18:17 UTC (2:17 p.m. EDT) on April 8."
Then from the list of cities, the nearest in time is Evansville IN. It's further from the line than Indianapolis, so I'd try first a little town in Illinois, called Burnt Prairie. Your airBNB would probably come with a rifle and instructions for shooting rats under the floorboards.
 
americanwoman said:
Bummer I won't be able to see it this time but if you can see it don't forget to look straight at it! 😄


View attachment 67485668
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Of course, but for the best experience, one should use a magnifying glass. Brings out the details!
(Disclaimer: Do not do this. Not liable for toasted retinas.):)
 
Chock Full o Nuts said:
Of course, but for the best experience, one should use a magnifying glass. Brings out the details!
(Disclaimer: Do not do this. Not liable for toasted retinas.):)
Click to expand...
I did use binoculars once it was a total eclipse in 2017. Baily’s beads and the Corona were magnificent. We were on the northern bank of the Ohio River at Cave-in-Rock
 
Linc said:
I did use binoculars once it was a total eclipse in 2017. Baily’s beads and the Corona were magnificent. We were on the northern bank of the Ohio River at Cave-in-Rock
Click to expand...
I'll stick with my HA scope.:)
 
Linc said:
If you have to drive and stay at a motel, don't wait any longer to make reservations.
Click to expand...
I think it's probably already about 8 months too late if you want a hotel directly in the path of the eclipse. But there might still be some vacancies a few hours drive from the path of the eclipse.

For my primary hotel I tried for a nice hotel in Eagle Pass. No such luck. All the good hotels in Eagle Pass sold out instantly. I was online trying for them right when the vacancies opened up. But apparently so was the rest of the universe. I did manage to get a reservation at a cheap motel in Eagle Pass though.

For my first backup I tried for Fredericksburg. Again, no such luck. The entire town sold out instantly. I couldn't even get a cheap hotel there. But I was able to get a reservation at a nice hotel in the suburbs of Austin.

For my second backup I was able to get a reservation at a nice hotel in that little hook in the southeast corner of Missouri (I guess it's called the Missouri Bootheel).

If that entire part of the country is covered with clouds and I have to change plans and head into New York state, I guess I'll be sleeping in a car that morning. And that reminds me, I still need to make arrangements for the car rental.
 
Toggle Almendro said:
I think it's probably already about 8 months too late if you want a hotel directly in the path of the eclipse. But there might still be some vacancies a few hours drive from the path of the eclipse.

For my primary hotel I tried for a nice hotel in Eagle Pass. No such luck. All the good hotels in Eagle Pass sold out instantly. I was online trying for them right when the vacancies opened up. But apparently so was the rest of the universe. I did manage to get a reservation at a cheap motel in Eagle Pass though.

For my first backup I tried for Fredericksburg. Again, no such luck. The entire town sold out instantly. I couldn't even get a cheap hotel there. But I was able to get a reservation at a nice hotel in the suburbs of Austin.

For my second backup I was able to get a reservation at a nice hotel in that little hook in the southeast corner of Missouri (I guess it's called the Missouri Bootheel).

If that entire part of the country is covered with clouds and I have to change plans and head into New York state, I guess I'll be sleeping in a car that morning. And that reminds me, I still need to make arrangements for the car rental.
Click to expand...
I got a cheap motel in IN this morning, not a bad drive. About 3:50 of totality if it’s clear. Bloomington, IN to Cleveland to Erie is on the total line. In 2017, we were clouded for the first half minute.

It’s the 40th of 41 umbral eclipses, starting in 1323 and the last in 2044 in the western 🇺🇸 and 🇨🇦
 
We're going to central Texas. Probably driving home the same day. eclipse_map_1920v2.webp
 
Grand Mal said:
Eye precautions are just leftist propaganda.
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Fake news! LOL!

The cheap disposable glasses for an eclipse that they sell at target or grocery stores are good and safe. You can test them on a sunny day. If you put them on , and you can't see a thing, you can then glimpse at the sun , if that works look straight at it and they work. However, they have an expiration date, the plastic deteriorates and loses its strength. Also, if you wear them at the beach to take a nap, they will be weakened. They only are intended for a few hours of direct sunlight. But in that time frame, Ive never had a problem.
 
soap box said:
Fake news! LOL!

The cheap disposable glasses for an eclipse that they sell at target or grocery stores are good and safe. You can test them on a sunny day. If you put them on , and you can't see a thing, you can then glimpse at the sun , if that works look straight at it and they work. However, they have an expiration date, the plastic deteriorates and loses its strength. Also, if you wear them at the beach to take a nap, they will be weakened. They only are intended for a few hours of direct sunlight. But in that time frame, Ive never had a problem.
Click to expand...
Haven't tried it but I've been told that a #10 welding lens will do the trick. Probably cost a buck or two at the tool store nearest you. You don't need the whole face shield, just hold the lens close up to your eyes.
 
Linc said:
If you have to drive and stay at a motel, don't wait any longer to make reservations.
The motel prices are quite high around Indianapolis.
We're going to Indiana since only far southern Illinois has the total eclipse, like 2017.

www.almanac.com

Total Solar Eclipse 2024: Path of Totality Across Americas!

The 2024 Total Solar Eclipse will be the biggest celestial events in the United States in our lifetime. Nearly 32 million people are within the path of totality which will stretch across the U.S.! Here's an eclipse map and tips.
www.almanac.com www.almanac.com
Click to expand...
I think I will hang out in Ft. Smith.
 
Grand Mal said:
Haven't tried it but I've been told that a #10 welding lens will do the trick. Probably cost a buck or two at the tool store nearest you. You don't need the whole face shield, just hold the lens close up to your eyes.
Click to expand...
Oh yes! Very dependable choice, last forever. I used one back in the 90s in Houston during a partial.
 
Linc said:
I got a cheap motel in IN this morning, not a bad drive. About 3:50 of totality if it’s clear. Bloomington, IN to Cleveland to Erie is on the total line. In 2017, we were clouded for the first half minute.

It’s the 40th of 41 umbral eclipses, starting in 1323 and the last in 2044 in the western 🇺🇸 and 🇨🇦
Click to expand...
Unfortunately, historical cloud cover for 8 April in that area gives you only a 40% chance of clear or mostly clear skies...

Good luck to you!
 
Grizzly Adams said:
Unfortunately, historical cloud cover for 8 April in that area gives you only a 40% chance of clear or mostly clear skies...

Good luck to you!
Click to expand...
Another reason to not make special plans. Clouded out, well ****... This was pointless.
 
Chock Full o Nuts said:
Eh, have seen totality before. I'm right on the edge of the zone as far as maps show and will be well into the 90s. Not making special plans.
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Having experienced totality myself in 2017, I probably won't care to step outside to see a partial this year. Family obligations/expansions will keep me close to home in early April, precluding any opportunity to plan for a trip south.

Iceland in 2026, tho...
 
 
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