Reminder – total solar eclipse on August 21, 2017 - Page 2

Oakman · 02-21-2017, 05:43 PM

Don't get your panties in a bunch if it's cloudy, there will be another total eclipse in the U.S on April 8, 2024.

Wobbles · 02-21-2017, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oakman

Don't get your panties in a bunch if it's cloudy, there will be another total eclipse in the U.S on April 8, 2024.

Hush now. I got the DW to go for this in the middle of the August heat. I sold her on the idea that is would never happen again in our lifetime.

We found a super nice privately owned park in Southern Illinois within a hour +/- drive to the longest duration point of the eclipse, that just happens be be on the property of a winery planning a big blow-out for the event.

So far, I see no issues with this plan.

Eratosthenes · 02-21-2017, 08:10 PM

East of the Mississippi you have roughly a 50/50 chance of cloudy skys. That is why we will be in our yet to be bought RV in western Nebraska. We could slide west into Caspar WY, or slide east towards Grand Island, NE depending on the cloud cover. In these parts there is roughly a 30% chance or less of overcast skies.

My wife is the Astronomer ... I drive her and her telescopes around!

f5moab · 02-21-2017, 08:31 PM

Thinking (ONLY THINKING) about renting the house and scooting out of town. I live near the blue line. But I'll probably just leave the area to hundreds of miles below or above the magic line to keep my sanity.

And reading the local internet news agencies (out of ID Falls/Jackson), if you are looking for a hotel room, bring the American Express black card cause you WILL pay top dollar. That is if there are any left and it sounded like most were gone. And one article noted most camping area here in ID in the red area were booked, or expect very large crowds at no reservations campgrounds.

I'm wondering how booked the ophthalmologists will be after the event?

asquared · 02-22-2017, 09:52 PM

Thanks for all the advice on the telescope. We will skip it. I have a very hard time using it anyway..... that is, I have yet to be able to see anything through it.

Starry2some · 02-22-2017, 10:12 PM

Asquared, a total solar eclipse would be sweet using a scope, but it's so brief that we plan to only take a quick look through binocs. We could setup the tracking scope and remove the solar filter during totality but that would take a few precious seconds. A scope would show prominences and the corona well during totality but if we really wanted prominences, we could get a hydrogen alpha scope made just for that purpose, and the corona should be visible naked eye during totality. We are a few steps farther down the road of using telescopes, it might help to find someone doing things like we do (public presentations on how to use that gear) and get some tips.

SeaDog · 02-22-2017, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by f5moab

Thinking (ONLY THINKING) about renting the house and scooting out of town. I live near the blue line. But I'll probably just leave the area to hundreds of miles below or above the magic line to keep my sanity.

My ranch is north of Weiser about where the blue line is so its camp at the ranch and hope for clear weather.

**Herk7769** · 02-23-2017, 07:51 AM

Just got a call from my SIL who lives in Portland, OR.
Cannon Beach on the coast is under the path of totality and she called for reservations at a beachside hotel. The normal rate is $175 per night, but that weekend through Wednesday it is now $1,000 a night.

**Herk7769** · 02-23-2017, 07:54 AM

Well, a little known factoid regarding the campground we are using for the Rally is that 1/3 of the sites are reserved for an Astronomy Club. There should be plenty of scopes and photos taken. They booked even before the Rally organizers who booked a year out.

**KyDan** · 02-23-2017, 08:17 AM

Portland OR has- on average 222 cloudy days a year. Those days it is at
least 80% cloud cover. Many more days with some cloud cover.
So...... $1000 bucks a night for a hotel vs the odds of actually having clear
sky to view the eclipse.... I think I'll pass!

Wobbles · 02-23-2017, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KyDan

Portland OR has- on average 222 cloudy days a year. Those days it is at
least 80% cloud cover. Many more days with some cloud cover.
So...... $1000 bucks a night for a hotel vs the odds of actually having clear
sky to view the eclipse.... I think I'll pass!

A hotel stay for $1K a night is out of this world pricing unless it is on the moon!

Do you think the interstates will become a parking lot during this event?

**Herk7769** · 02-23-2017, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wobbles

A hotel stay for $1K a night is out of this world pricing unless it is on the moon!

Do you think the interstates will become a parking lot during this event?

Either that or clogged with wrecks

timfromma · 02-23-2017, 10:19 AM

I imagine there will be some people who aren't aware that an eclipse is happening and will freak out wondering why it's getting dark in the middle of the day.

**ependydad** · 02-23-2017, 10:23 AM

Given what I'm seeing of camping reservations, traffic is going to be a nightmare from Sunday - Tuesday. I'm supposed to change campgrounds on Tuesday, but I think I'm going to extend another week or to the weekend.

**KyDan** · 02-23-2017, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ependydad

but I think I'm going to extend another week or to the weekend.

Yeah because traffic is always better in a camp ground on the weekend!!

**ependydad** · 02-23-2017, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KyDan

Yeah because traffic is always better in a camp ground on the weekend!!

Heh. I meant out on the road. You're right- I sure don't like getting to campgrounds on the weekend.

**Herk7769** · 02-23-2017, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timfromma

I imagine there will be some people who aren't aware that an eclipse is happening and will freak out wondering why it's getting dark in the middle of the day.

Shades of " A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court!"

aceinspp · 02-23-2017, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Herk7769

Just got a call from my SIL who lives in Portland, OR.
Cannon Beach on the coast is under the path of totality and she called for reservations at a beachside hotel. The normal rate is $175 per night, but that weekend through Wednesday it is now $1,000 a night.

It's a shame to charge that kind of price . I think it's about time for state and local govt to step in on folks gouging the public. It's like when hurricanes come and motels go out of site but states such as GA now fine these places. Folks who pay these prices just encourage it to continue. Later RJD

chroniekon · 02-23-2017, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KyDan

Portland OR has- on average 222 cloudy days a year. Those days it is at
least 80% cloud cover. Many more days with some cloud cover.
So...... $1000 bucks a night for a hotel vs the odds of actually having clear
sky to view the eclipse.... I think I'll pass!

Those must be stats for the entire year. Check the stats for August, it's our hottest month. On the coast where Cannon Beach is, yes the weather will be iffy in the summer time. But inland, usually hot and clear.

**ependydad** · 02-23-2017, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aceinspp

It's a shame to charge that kind of price . I think it's about time for state and local govt to step in on folks gouging the public. It's like when hurricanes come and motels go out of site but states such as GA now fine these places. Folks who pay these prices just encourage it to continue. Later RJD

IMO, in this case it isn't really gouging. For hurricanes and disasters, it's one thing- people are jacking up the prices on necessities and that's not right. This Eclipse is a luxury/nice to have- I think paying $1,000/night is crazy. I'd just as quick sleep in my car.

You may also like: