So glad that I drove to see the one in 2017! Trying to talk my mom into joining me next year. What's the best way to link up with a local astronomy group that will be watching? Are there filters you can buy for regular binoculars? Story from the first one I saw: 2017, we got stuck in traffic were scrambling to find a place to park in South Carolina. A Dunkin Donuts employee was kind enough to let us park in their lot we promised to buy something when we came back/after the eclipse, but they said that we didn't need to and that we could use the bathroom if needed. We asked if they were going to watch it and the employee said they hoped so, it depended on if there was anyone in the store. So when we came back, we asked the employee if they were able to witness it. They slowly shook their head no. There was a person in the drive through at the time-the employee even told the person in the drive through what was going on so they could see the eclipse, and asked if they were willing to wait a few minutes so he could view it. The customer didn't care, they just wanted their food and had no interest in watching the eclipse or at least waiting 2 minutes so the employee could see it. It made me so sad, reminded me of the scifi story 'All Summer in a Day' by Ray Bradbury'. I hope that employee gets to see it this year, even though it isn't going to be in SC.
Most cities have an astronomical society, depending on where you live - you could google '' astronomical society, or 'astronomy clubs near me', that's how a lot of our members have found us. Of course, you could always join us! www.memphisastro.org/ Our next meeting is this Friday, April 14 and broadcast via Zoom. That's a sad story about the Dunkin Donuts employee. I was spreading the word about the 2017 Eclipse at a business conference and someone sitting across from me smirked and said: "I'll sleep right through it." Some people don't care about rare astronomical events. Dunkin Donuts - seems more appropriate for an 'Annular' Eclipse ;) Clear skies next year.
'24 will be even better - 4+ minutes of duration during totality and, possibly, a more active Corona. The nemesis- clouds. More info to come. Clear skies!!
I flew with a friend of mine (in his plane) to Lebanon, TN and saw the 2017 eclipse but will only have to drive 15 miles to a friend's house to see this one (hopefully) just outside of Austin, TX.
@@JeremyVeldman We parked on the grass runway at the airport and high tailed it out of there when it was over. The sky was full of private planes shortly thereafter. Traffic jam in the air as well as on the ground.
I took a trip to Nebraska to see 2017 and it was the beginning of the worst times of my life. Things are on the mend so I hope seeing 2024 acts like cosmic bookends to that period where I guess I had to work off a lot of bad karma. Interesting that I will be able to view the annular eclipse this year without going more than 70 miles from home. I found that this year's annular eclipse path and next years totality path intersect just a few miles down a creek from Lost Maples State Natural Area in Texas. My research indicates that the best place for me to go is not in Central Texas where April is 50% likely to be overcast on any given day, but on the border in Eagle Pass, there this number is reduced to 36%. I like those odds better, but I will be keeping my eye on the forecast in the days ahead of any planned road trip.
Yea, I've heard Eagle Pass has the best odds of clear skies for Texas. Tricky forecast and we may not know until 24 hours out where the best spot will be. I'm sorry to hear about your struggles in 2017, I hope 2024 brings good karma... and clear skies.
