Date:         Sun, 6 Aug 2017 13:52:33 -0700
Reply-To:     David McNeely <davmcneely40@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         David McNeely <davmcneely40@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Chasing the Sun...or lack of it
Comments: To: "ddbjorkman@VERIZON.NET" <ddbjorkman@verizon.net>
In-Reply-To:  <15db913f145-c0c-2217@webjas-vae113.srv.aolmail.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"

My family and I, and friends from California, will be viewing the eclipse
from a NFS cabin in eastern Oregon, weather cooperating.  Even if the
weather is not cooperating, at least it will get dark, but on the date,
chances of clear skies are almost 100%.  We are prepared with eclipse
glasses and a solar filter for our telescope.  We also have consulted the
NASA site, and encourage others to do so.  Yes, only one grade of welding
glass is adequate, but the NASA site gives links to vendors who offer
filter material that is of the proper opaqueness.  I will look at the NASA
site again to check out the funnel viewer for attachment to the telescope.

If anyone is hoping to camp within totality, forget it so far as reserved
sites are concerned, they went long ago.  First come first serve is
expected to be a madhouse, and the NFS and other agencies have put on large
cadres of extra help, especially law enforcement.  State traffic police
agencies are also making it known that they expect extra business around
eclipse time.

On Sun, Aug 6, 2017 at 12:44 PM, David Bjorkman <ddbjorkman@verizon.net>
wrote:

> Hi All;
> We have an Eclipse of the Sun, otherwise known as the Great North American
> Eclipse, coming up on Aug, 21st.  I am camping south from New England to my
> sister's place in South Carolina, then south or west depending on the
> weather to view it in all its rare beauty.  Maybe west before SC if weather
> decides for me.  My Question is (1) who is in the path (or almost) of
> totality (2) are you willing to provide driveway (or other) space, and (3)
> how many busses will fit in your driveway?  We could make this quite an
> event.  I'm even building a sun funnel viewer (look it up under activities
> on the NASA site) out of an old long funnel and some other scraps to attach
> to my telescope to provide a 5" screen so more than one can view it
> safely.  If you watch, eye safety is CRITICAL.  Check that NASA site for
> more info.  Even many types of welding glass are not enough.
>
> Dave B.
>