Solar Eclipse - August 21 - [9] Days Left

[Chobittsu]

As some of you may have heard, there's gonna be a pretty rare event coming up. You yanks haven't seen one of these in a good long while so I figured I'd give you a heads up about what you'll be seeing.
No, it's not some witchcraft and you don't need to scream at the shadow like vikings to scare it away (no really, they did that), it's just a solar eclipse.

The TL;DR of it is the moon is going to pass in front of the sun. Although the moon itself is easily larger than the US itself, the difference in scale between the sun and the lil rock means the fully shaded area is rather small. So if you live on or near that path, you'll just have to look up. For the rest of us, we'll get a nice bite missing from the sun. HOWEVER, unless you're viewing the few minutes of total eclipse, DO. NOT. LOOK. AT. IT. The sun is still going to blind you if you look at it without protection, to that end, here are some tips for direct viewing: Either get your hands on some eclipse glasses... which are really expensive, or zip down to a hardware store and find the lenses for a welding mask. NOTE: They MUST be at least Shade #14 to be sufficient.

This link should give you your local times and other info~
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/53c358b6e4b01b8adb4d5870/t/53f113dfe4b0880c7d50f770/1408308227354/?format=1500w

I'd go into more detail, but it's pretty straight-forward; big rock in front of big star and use protection.

[pikohan]

Argh, I had briefly been planning to go with my dad up to Oregon or Idaho to see the full eclipse, but the flights are expensive and all the hotels are booked. 

 

The view might still be pretty good from the Bay Area, but no idea.

[Chobittsu]

Just now, pikohan said:

Argh, I had briefly been planning to go with my dad up to Oregon or Idaho to see the full eclipse, but the flights are expensive and all the hotels are booked. 

 

The view might still be pretty good from the Bay Area, but no idea.

It'll still be a great show even if you get a partial view. I saw a partial at sunset a few years back (required less eye protection) and it was plenty impressive

[Doomlock]

I actually have a great view of this! Woohoo!

[HowitzerBlitzer]

I'm laughing at everyone going, especially if they book a stay at a hotel, as they're smart enough to jack up the prices for certain times of the year. The road traffic will be fun to witness.

 

At least Nebraska is somewhat useful for once.

[Chobittsu]

18 minutes ago, HowitzerBlitzer said:

I'm laughing at everyone going, especially if they book a stay at a hotel, as they're smart enough to jack up the prices for certain times of the year. The road traffic will be fun to witness.

At least Nebraska is somewhat useful for once.

 

You don't need to travel anywhere to see it, just look up  :D

[HowitzerBlitzer]

Just now, Chobittsu said:

You don't need to travel anywhere to see it, just look up  :D

 

I know, I'll probably be able to see a 75% eclipse from where I'm at, but everyone thinks they have to be directly under it to notice. So they're going off to waste time and money.

[MajorRenegade]

Good thing that I'm in the path of this eclipse. It will be right over me lol