There will be a total solar eclipse visible in North America this coming Monday, August 21st, at 2:30 PM East Coast US time. That will also be the time of a New Moon (in the sign Leo), an ideal time for wiping your personal slate clean and starting new projects. Do you plan to watch this celestial event? How will you protect your eyes? What wishes will you make?
shareOkay, Los Angeles checking in, I checked out our 62% eclipse with viewing glasses. Pretty nice, and the light outside is a bit ominous. My Dad lives near Portland, they're getting over 99% totality just looking out the windows (they live atop a pretty big hill).
shareInteresting and fun watching the ongoing, live media coverage. The cheering of the crowds across the country was especially cool. If there's anything that has united people, it's been this event.
shareI heard on the radio it was a bust around here, a non-event. I live in a microclimate and it was overcast. I heard in the larger, non-microclimate people were big crowds everywhere, but all anyone could see was a slight darkening to the sky.
Nevertheless, I made a wish. I suspect the same rules apply as they do to blowing out birthday cake candles, so I'll remain mum on what it was.
It was quite overcast here as well, which made me glad I hadn't wasted money on a pair of those glasses. That actually worked to my advantage eventually. I stepped out into my yard briefly to assess the sky. At that time, the sun was almost directly over my house. I took a very quick glance when the clouds had dissipated just enough to create a somewhat natural, translucent filter and was actually able to view it with the naked eye. That in itself, was a visual treat and I feel confident I didn't receive any eye damage.
shareIt didn't even occur to me to go outside to watch. I just thought oh, it's overcast, oh well.
Glad the clouds parted just the right amount, at the exact time you went outside, so you could safely see it.
Where I live it was supposed to be about 85%, which I thought was OK since it wouldn't involve travel. However, Mother Nature gave us thick clouds and an unneeded rainstorm at the time. I know what an eclipse looks like and was most interested in seeing the level of darkness. Bummer.
shareI remember reports of crickets chirping and chickens beginning to roost in some areas.
shareI saw a video of the flamingos at the Nashville zoo taken during the eclipse. I was amazed at how dark it got.
Watch it with the sound off if you don't want to listen to the crowd chatter, which kind of spoils the moment.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWwbKAwfOFU
Thanks for the fascinating share. I've seen confusion in nature during unseasonably warm winter days, but not to that extent.
shareI'm with you GlenEllyn.
We didn't get the rain but we might as well have. Thick clouds and overcast.
The joys of the Midwest and the crazy weather this year.
Did I mention the mosquitoes ?
I did not look at the sun. You can burn your retinas that way. However I did observe conditions. In my area it was supposed to be a 91% eclipse. I would have taken that to mean it would be 91% dark. That did not occur. It just seemed like a cloudy day. So the whole thing was a bust.
π
"He's dead."