Hmmm maybe a trip to Land Between the Lakes is in order. Plenty of time to plan. .thx for posting this.
I would rather be in the woods... my dog would rather be in the pool. My wife thinks we are both nuts.
During an annular eclipse a few years ago (where the moon doesn't appear quite big enough to cover the sun) we realized that the shadows formed by leaves form an amazing display similar to a pinhole camera. We could even create the image with our hands.
Shadows-From-Ring-Of-Fire.jpg
- Most important thing to look for is a location with stable weather in August.
- Second, easy bail-out options, in case you need to relocate in the last few hours to find clear skies
- Then, a high spot with a long view looking to the west, the shadow rushing towards you at 900mph is pretty exciting.
Here is a Google Earth overlay, useful for planning,
http://xjubier.free.fr/download/GE/e...2017_08_21.kmz
from,
http://xjubier.free.fr/en/site_pages...ogleEarth.html
--
Gadget
Last edited by GadgetUK437; 08-28-2016 at 05:33.
If I could command the weather, the Tetons, especially sitting atop Hurricane Pass, would be perfect. I worry, however, about mountains creating their own weather, and the lack of bailout options. And yes, the place is going to be an absolute zoo (it's pretty much a zoo in August even without an eclipse). Being that I have never seen a total solar eclipse before, I have therefore opted for a more conservative choice of western Nebraska. Less scenic, but better chance of good weather, relatively low crowds, and options in case one needs to dodge clouds (in this respect, being near your car is a safer option than being in the backcountry).
I am sure that some will risk more exotic locations. In addition to the Tetons, the path goes through some parts of the Wind River Range in Wyoming, mainly near Square Top mountain. In the east, it goes through parts of the smokies. If the weather cooperates, this may be one of the most photographed eclipses ever.
Planning already. My AT hike looks to be flipped into a Southbound just for this. Albert Mtn Fire Tower is almost dead center of the umbra line (1800 ft off).
I think I'll make do with the .94 eclipse I'll get in my own back yard in NC. It looks like one of the farms my mom owns is right in the yellow band -- but that's a 20+ hour drive to NE.
I found my welder's plate that I bought back in the '70s, so I'm set there.
You'll be selling yourself short. Get in your car and drive down to SC.
I've seen 0.95 (2015) and totality (1999), I'd drive considerably further than 200 miles to get totality over 0.94! Hell, I'm even drip, drip, drip working on SWMBO to hop over the big pond for this one.
Last edited by GadgetUK437; 08-30-2016 at 15:48.
I have never been to a group hang but this seems like a perfect reason to organize one.
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