Date: Sun, 6 Aug 2017 17:44:43 -0400
Reply-To: ddbjorkman@VERIZON.NET
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: David Bjorkman <ddbjorkman@VERIZON.NET>
Subject: Re: Chasing the Sun...or lack of it
In-Reply-To: <CACvdLxPXiUsW7BTBKpL_ZJC5Jx9WB62saFApw-H1qN0dB7TuLg@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
Sounds like you have a great plan. I'm jealous of that cabin. South Carolina weather is iffy.
As far as other considerations. one can drive in and out of the area within a few hours, camp in quite a few places in a Westy. and that's why I put a call out to those on the list who might live within a couple of hours of totality.
As far as seeing it, it will be seen to some extent everywhere there is sky in North America. Some mall parking lot is fine with me. Be sure to check out the suggested shade for your telescope and be sure there in NO PLASTIC used in the construction of your telescope and lenses.
Enjoy!
Dave B.
-----Original Message-----
From: David McNeely <davmcneely40@gmail.com>
To: ddbjorkman@VERIZON.NET <ddbjorkman@verizon.net>
Cc: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
Sent: Sun, Aug 6, 2017 4:52 pm
Subject: Re: Chasing the Sun...or lack of it
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.
|