How rare is a total solar eclipse? That is not an easy question to answer, especially when pinpointing the next total solar eclipse in a particular place. When one looks at a map of a series of solar eclipses over any 100 year period, they appear to be a completely random event. Some are partial […]
Viewing the Total Eclipse: Direct Methods
April 24th, 2017In our last post we took a look at methods to project an image of the sun and observing it indirectly. These options are the safest for viewing the sun and lend themselves well to group observation. The majority of eclipse chasers, however, will use films and glasses specifically designed for safe direct solar observation. Direct […]
Viewing the Total Eclipse: Indirect Methods
April 18th, 2017There are several ways to safely view the sun during the eclipse, as an individual or in a group. Before we delve into those options we need to state the rule that is never to be broken, or even bent. NEVER look at the sun directly without proper eye protection. Directly includes binoculars, cameras, telescopes […]
2017 Total Solar Eclipse: Heart of Darkness
April 9th, 2017Many states and towns lay claim to being the best spot from which to view the August 21st eclipse. The true heart of darkness, however, lies in southern Illinois and western Kentucky where the points of maximum duration and greatest eclipse are located. Maximum duration is self explanatory and is marked by a point about six […]
2017 Total Solar Eclipse: Roaming the Land of the Ancients
April 3rd, 2017I usually imagine ancient peoples confronted by a total solar eclipse as going completely off their rockers, sacrificing away to appease their angry deities who just upended their world. The tattooed priest with the gnarly ear spools and nose bones from Apocalypto usually comes to mind, holding up the heart of his sacrifice as the eclipse drives the […]