TwinIon Posted February 19 Share Posted February 19 North America is fortunate to be getting a total solar eclipse this year on April 8th. I'm very excited because this will be the first total eclipse I'll have had the chance to experience and I'm curious who else on D1P is planning on seeing it. Here is a great interactive map to get incredibly specific information for your location. In 2017 I didn't travel, but I have some friends that did and while they loved the experience of the eclipse, they had some trouble with lodging. They had booked their AirBnb well in advance, but the hosts figured out very near the eclipse how much more could be charged, so my friends were left scrambling at the last minute. Looking not to replicate that experience for 2024, they spent some time finding the best place they could get a hotel that was aware of the eclipse and are arranging a group trip to Mazatlan. Since I decided to join this trip, enjoy photography, and have most of the gear I'd need anyways, I figured I should try to get one of those cool corona shots for myself. The result has been falling down a rabbit hole that is so much more complex and annoying than anticipated, even as I remain committed to the idea (have spent enough money that I'm rather "pot committed" as well). First I discovered that eclipse chasing itself is a hobby with some rather intense interest, filled with some very dedicated people. Then there are the solar eclipse photography people, who are often already into astrophotography, but often not into general photography. Still, even for those that are into astro, solar photography is still it's own niche with it's own quirks and requirements. A lot of the advice that I've seen is that a total solar eclipse is a unique experience and that you don't want to be spending those precious moments messing with your camera. Trying to take that advice to some degree, I decided that I wanted to automate my photos. A number of programs exist specifically to automate eclipse photos, but it turns out that's a world of complications. The best software for this kind of thing was mostly written by individual amateurs that don't really keep them up to date. The most recommended program is Solar Eclipse Maestro, which only works for MacOS 10.6 - 10.14 (which was released in 2018). There's a windows option in Eclipse Orchestrator, and while it runs in Windows 11, lets just say that it's not exactly a modern piece of software. Heck, getting it to shoot fast requires buying or building your own shutter release cable from old intervolometers. Add in that I'm using high end modern Nikon cameras, and things get messy. Nikon support in general is far worse than that for Canons, and it also seems like support for the really high end ones has been limited. I've been reading an ebook specifically about photographing eclipses, I've been spending a lot of time going through old threads on Cloudy Nights, and I've been spending hours trying to get some piece of software working that will let me script my shooting for this eclipse, and so far had very little luck. At this point I've given up on the Z9, which is an amazing camera and a joy to work with, but I can't find any software that can reliably control it at all, much less run a script with very specific timing. I'm now trying to get my D850 working, and while I've had some success, it's been mostly failures. Anyways, while I'm mostly ranting about what a time sink and mess this has all been, I'm still excited for the eclipse itself. Who else is making plans? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheLeon Posted February 19 Share Posted February 19 I live right outside of that band (Cincinnati), and I already have that day off, so I guess I don’t have a great excuse to not seek it out (other than laziness and being a cynical jerk). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AbsolutSurgen Posted February 19 Share Posted February 19 They've cancelled school for my kids, because the school board feels that it would be unsafe for the kids to walk home from school during an eclipse. I've got some eclipse viewing glasses on order, so we can all experience it again. [We watched the partial eclipse together back in 2017, but its been a while.] 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cusideabelincoln Posted February 19 Share Posted February 19 In 2017 I traveled one state over the day of the eclipse. Do not do this. About 40 miles from my intended destination traffic on the Interstate highway was backed up to a complete standstill. I managed to get off at the next exit and went to a different, smaller town instead. It's definitely an entirely different experience when you're in the total eclipse. This year I won't even have to travel. I live in the path, yay. Just have to hope for good weather that day. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
best3444 Posted February 20 Share Posted February 20 🤓 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggie Posted February 21 Share Posted February 21 On 2/19/2024 at 3:16 PM, TheLeon said: I live right outside of that band (Cincinnati), and I already have that day off, so I guess I don’t have a great excuse to not seek it out (other than laziness and being a cynical jerk). Knowing your luck it’ll be raining. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheLeon Posted February 21 Share Posted February 21 3 hours ago, Biggie said: Knowing your luck it’ll be raining. An excuse to stay home? Sounds good to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CastlevaniaNut18 Posted February 21 Share Posted February 21 I'm in the path of totality. I have to work that night, but I'll probably get up in time to see it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CitizenVectron Posted February 22 Share Posted February 22 Yep, I am flying to Montreal for 5 days to take this in, as well as for the much more obvious reason of just wanting to visit Montreal. Our friend is big into astronomy and goes to all the North American eclipses, so we decided to tag along since it was inside Canada, and we've always wanted to see Montreal! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keyser_Soze Posted February 24 Share Posted February 24 Delta Airlines is has special flights for this now Delta's special total solar eclipse flight sold out in 24 hours WWW.NPR.ORG An Austin, Texas-to-Detroit flight along April's path of totality is sold out. There are other flights with a view, though your best bet may actually be here on Earth, says one astrophysicist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggie Posted February 24 Share Posted February 24 Spoiler The sun is blocked out by the moon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneticBlueprint Posted February 26 Share Posted February 26 On 2/19/2024 at 1:24 PM, AbsolutSurgen said: They've cancelled school for my kids, because the school board feels that it would be unsafe for the kids to walk home from school during an eclipse. I've got some eclipse viewing glasses on order, so we can all experience it again. [We watched the partial eclipse together back in 2017, but its been a while.] I agree with that. We had an eclipse here in Salt Lake a couple months ago and it got extremely dark in a moment's notice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AbsolutSurgen Posted April 2 Share Posted April 2 Niagara Region pre-emptively declares state of emergency ahead of solar eclipse WWW.THEGLOBEANDMAIL.COM Officials estimate the event could bring up to a million people to the tourism hub, and are anticipating traffic jams, possible fuel shortages and telecommunication outages Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CitizenVectron Posted April 2 Share Posted April 2 My wife and I (and a few friends) are going to Montreal for the weekend to view it. I expect it will be able to handle crowds better than Niagara Falls, but it will still be busy. Fortunately, we're staying in Old Montreal and should be able to walk pretty much anywhere we want to be, while there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperSpreader Posted April 2 Share Posted April 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CitizenVectron Posted April 2 Share Posted April 2 2 minutes ago, SuperSpreader said: lol so pretty much the entire path...except Montreal! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Posted April 2 Share Posted April 2 Ahh, sorry. Didn't see this thread. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keyser_Soze Posted April 2 Share Posted April 2 34 minutes ago, Derek said: Ahh, sorry. Didn't see this thread. We can never have too many eclipse threads, that includes the hit movie as well if you have any stories to share. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
best3444 Posted April 2 Share Posted April 2 1 minute ago, Keyser_Soze said: We can never have too many eclipse threads, that includes the hit movie as well if you have any stories to share. Twilight you mean? Eclipse was awful lol. I did however really enjoy the first Twilight. Something about that movie is really striking. Plus the soundtrack was phenomenal. Especially Paramore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brick Posted April 4 Share Posted April 4 Didn't really pay much attention to the eclipse coming up, but now I'm wondering if I should get some glasses to be able to look at it since my area will have like 99.996 percent coverage, it's just the quality of some glasses I'm questioning because how many shoddy ones are out there that while they say are ISO certified, they actually aren't and will damage your eyes by using them. These seem like the bestsellers on Amazon, but are they any good? Is Amazon verifying that these are legitimately safe glasses? Amazon.ca WWW.AMAZON.CA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keyser_Soze Posted April 4 Share Posted April 4 24 minutes ago, Brick said: Didn't really pay much attention to the eclipse coming up, but now I'm wondering if I should get some glasses to be able to look at it since my area will have like 99.996 percent coverage, it's just the quality of some glasses I'm questioning because how many shoddy ones are out there that while they say are ISO certified, they actually aren't and will damage your eyes by using them. These seem like the bestsellers on Amazon, but are they any good? Is Amazon verifying that these are legitimately safe glasses? Amazon.ca WWW.AMAZON.CA I've heard that some public libraries give out eclipse glasses, maybe check something like that out before going to amazon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brick Posted April 4 Share Posted April 4 11 hours ago, Keyser_Soze said: I've heard that some public libraries give out eclipse glasses, maybe check something like that out before going to amazon. Maybe in Freedomland, but I'll check. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Posted April 5 Share Posted April 5 I wonder how many companies made a quick million(s) on something that people will only use for 4 minutes and then be placed in a junk drawer forever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheLeon Posted April 5 Share Posted April 5 I think I’m just going to take a nice long bike ride on Monday. That’s the level of effort I’m willing to put into this (something I would do anyway on a day off). If I get to the deep suburbs, that should put me just inside in the path of totality. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silentbob Posted April 5 Share Posted April 5 @Brick I got my glasses yesterday at my local Canadian Tire store. On display when you walk in with adult and kids sizes available. Plus they’re only $4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ominous Posted April 5 Share Posted April 5 2 hours ago, Derek said: I wonder how many companies made a quick million(s) on something that people will only use for 4 minutes and then be placed in a junk drawer forever. I get to use mine twice. The junk drawer paid off. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AbsolutSurgen Posted April 5 Share Posted April 5 On 4/4/2024 at 12:49 AM, Brick said: Didn't really pay much attention to the eclipse coming up, but now I'm wondering if I should get some glasses to be able to look at it since my area will have like 99.996 percent coverage, it's just the quality of some glasses I'm questioning because how many shoddy ones are out there that while they say are ISO certified, they actually aren't and will damage your eyes by using them. These seem like the bestsellers on Amazon, but are they any good? Is Amazon verifying that these are legitimately safe glasses? Amazon.ca WWW.AMAZON.CA Is Amazon verifying them? No. Is that a brand I've seen as reputable? Yes. Are Your Solar Eclipse Glasses Fake? Here’s How to Check WWW.SCIENTIFICAMERICAN.COM You’re going to want to guard your eyes from the sun using legitimate protective gear 28 minutes ago, silentbob said: @Brick I got my glasses yesterday at my local Canadian Tire store. On display when you walk in with adult and kids sizes available. Plus they’re only $4 I would still validate the brand you've bought, lots of Canadian Tire's are franchises. I've seen people online express concern about the glasses they've seen at CT. 2 hours ago, Derek said: I wonder how many companies made a quick million(s) on something that people will only use for 4 minutes and then be placed in a junk drawer forever. They're disposable -- They're a few bucks a piece. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silentbob Posted April 5 Share Posted April 5 Yeah my mom was online right away to verify the ones I bought and are legit. They have some code along the one arm to verify. Looking at the Amazon glasses linked, pretty sure they’re the exact same ones Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elbobo Posted April 8 Share Posted April 8 The exact center of the path of totality is going to pass less than 4 miles from my house. It was completely sunny Saturday and Sunday, they are calling for clouds and maybe rain at eclipse time today of course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Posted April 8 Share Posted April 8 Both kids are being sent home with eclipse glasses, so I guess we'll be checking it out. It was really cloudy earlier, but all clear now. They say we're in the 99% area. The local weather boys are in Toledo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggie Posted April 8 Share Posted April 8 The moon blocks the sun light. Wow! Fucking amazing. People are so easily impressed. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keyser_Soze Posted April 8 Share Posted April 8 I've curated some of @Commissar SFLUFAN's favorite songs about eclipses for your listening pleasure during the eclipse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheLeon Posted April 8 Share Posted April 8 39 minutes ago, Derek said: Both kids are being sent home with eclipse glasses, so I guess we'll be checking it out. It was really cloudy earlier, but all clear now. They say we're in the 99% area. The local weather boys are in Toledo. Anything less than 100% is a waste of time. Don’t even bother. (Eclipse Snob is my new favorite type of internet commenter). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keyser_Soze Posted April 8 Share Posted April 8 2 minutes ago, TheLeon said: Anything less than 100% is a waste of time. Don’t even bother. (Eclipse Snob is my new favorite type of internet commenter). The lady at my grocery store was a cup half full type of person. She said 50% is better than nothing or going to Ohio. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b_m_b_m_b_m Posted April 8 Share Posted April 8 Saw the 2017 totality in South Carolina, now reporting live from cloud free Southern Indiana today. Perfect weather for it today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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