Total Eclipse April 8

[lyle11]

I am located about 15 miles north of Akron, Ohio and the eclipse will occur here around 3:15 PM for around 4 minutes. The weather forecast is for partly cloudy skies as of now, but based on recent weather, it’s been cloudy almost every day so I will be surprised if the sky is clear. Traffic delays are expected due to people driving into the total eclipse area, which is about 115 miles wide I think. Monday is our trash day and this morning they called to tell me trash pickup will occur between 2:00 AM and 3:00 AM.

My wife was scheduled to arrive at work at 3:00 PM but now is rescheduled to start work at 1:00 PM since the woman who she takes over for was worried about the traffic. I’m going to take her to work on the back roads.

I plan to go outside in my back yard and my expectation is that it gets like dusk for about 4 minutes. About 3 years ago my eye doctor told me that I have some drusen (sun damage) in my eyes and recommended I wear wrap-around sunglasses. Fortunately my eyesight and macula is good but I have zero interest in looking directly at the sun with any amount of eye protection. Nothing much more important than vision so I always wear the sunglasses when I’m outside rain or shine. Unfortunately, despite all the warnings, there will probably be people with inadequate eye protection who cause permanent damage. Menards has been selling cheap eclipse glasses near the checkouts for weeks.

Just curious if anybody else lives in an area that is in total eclipse band. The local suburbs are all having “festivals” here I guess to sell food and drinks and make some money off it. If it ends up being cloudy I can’t see people driving very far just to experience 4 minutes of darkness which I’m thinking will be similar to right after sunset.

At least I don’t have to fly my Lear Jet to Nova Scotia this time.

 

[Gary Dotson]

Lots of hype all around here, as well. There are a lot of towns, big and small, that are in the totality zone. We’ll have a great view of it, if it’s not overcast. My brother experienced the last one and said it’s a very surreal experience, nothing at all like sunset. I’m thinking several forum members should be in the path, Barnyard should have about the same exposure as we will have. My vehicles are staying home that day.

 

[Don McCombs]

We are in the 93% zone, but forecast to rain that afternoon.

 

[Barnyard]

Good glasses are 4 or 5 bucks. Cloudy forecast. I think I'll save my money and not look.

 

[Don McCombs]

I’ve read that you can use a shade #12 or higher welding helmet lens for viewing.

 

[Eugene]

Good glasses are 4 or 5 bucks. Cloudy forecast. I think I'll save my money and not look.

Prior to the total eclipse in central Missouri, glasses were for sale. Some prices were $27- a pair. Week or so before the eclipse, glasses were handed out free as advertisement by local business. After the eclipse the local grocery store still had a box of glasses on a checkout counter.

 

[Gary Dotson]

We got free eclipse glasses from our finance broker, he ordered a bunch of them from NASA. He was planning to have a party, at his farm, but decided it was too much hassle so he’s been handing them out to his clients. Otherwise, you can get qualified glasses for a couple bucks most anywhere.

 

[Jeff Silvey]

We will see it in central IN we hope. I'll be at work that day in Indy for the fire conference.

 

[Barnyard]

I heard that a welding helmet works just as well.

 

[ajhbike]

I am happy seeing a picture in the paper the next day.

 

[Eugene]

I am happy seeing a picture in the paper the next day.

It's worth spending 4 or 5 minutes viewing it. At least you can say you saw one, even if it wasn't that impressive.

 

[Dale Finch]

My three sisters and I are using the eclipse as an excuse to gather together. I'm currently sitting on a bench at a lovely farm in Paducah, Kentucky. Peaceful, quiet, & sunny for now.

Forecast is looking better for tomorrow than it had been for a while. Just hoping the overcast holds off!

Good thoughts for fair weather in your areas! 8)

 

[dgrapes59]

I didn't get excited about the eclipse in 2017, pretty much watched it for the grandkids. I will now admit it was pretty cool. This one will be more impressive and I'm looking forward to it!

 

[ricky racer]

I heard that a welding helmet works just as well.

That's true but they recommend a #12 lens. I put #9 lens in my helmets. I have an auto darkening helmet lens too and that has an adjustable darkness control if I recall.

 

[Barnyard]

My cousin owns the local canoe rental and bought a boat load (pun intended) of ISO approved glasses. they do not expect to use all of them, so she donated a massive amount of them to the VFW. I decided to swing by while we were out this afternoon and grab a couple pair as well as a couple of cold beverages. I guess we will sit out by BOB and observe.

 

[Gary Dotson]

My wife doesn’t seem to be very interested but when it takes place, I think she’ll be surprised. We’re pretty tired of all the hype but I’m looking forward to viewing it. We have some clouds, right now but may still get a pretty decent look.

 

[Barnyard]

Gizmo, our weather dog, has been laying in the yard facing the direction of the eclipse most of the morning. I think he suspects something. All the dogs will be locked in the shop just before 3:00 pm as a precaution.

 

[lyle11]

We got lucky here. It wasn’t crystal clear but it was one of those days with the high thin clouds where bright sun still comes through. I didn’t look at it but I went outside to experience it. There was a partial eclipse starting roughly 2 PM. Probably wouldn’t have even noticed that, except it seemed like it was a little darker outside than the it would be based on the thin clouds. Total eclipse was around 3:15 PM. I was surprised how fast the total eclipse happened. Like an accelerated sunset. Since I wasn’t watching the sun, I can’t really comment on that but in a matter of a couple minutes, it got dark and I saw at least one star in the sky. Just as dark as if it were night time. It lasted about four minutes although I wasn’t timing it.

I heard of a local high school parking lot where they’re charging $50 to park there and view the eclipse. Obviously for people driving here from outside the area. Glad they got their money’s worth. I took my wife to work and had no problems with traffic after all the warnings of traffic jams. Crossed the highway and glanced over it and traffic didn’t look any different. I imagine the extra hundred thousand people that were in the area were dispersed enough that it wasn’t like people all going to the same place like a football game. School is on spring break and a lot of people took the day off so probably all the people staying home from work balanced out people coming in.

 

[Dale Finch]

My sisters & I had a beautiful warm day with clear skies here in Paducah, KY, and truly enjoyed experiencing the TOTALITY! You could even see some of the flares extending from the sun! Pretty neat!

 

[Gary Dotson]

Yes, the wife and I enjoyed too! I watched it from the open doorway of my shop. I was glad I had eclipse glasses because it really was a cool sight to experience. It was a once in a lifetime experience and I was able to experience it from my own doorway.