Preparations for the August Solar Eclipse...

Horsetuna · Post by **Horsetuna** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 4:56 pm

Not sure where to put this. If its in the wrong place I apologise and do hope it is moved.

I am intending on going to Cambridge Bay to catch the Solar Eclipse that my SkyNew Magazine told me is happening on August 1st, at 3:24 AM. However, I want to ensure I view the eclipse safely. I am bringing my telescope, however I will reassure you I'm NOT looking through it (it came with a projection screen/plate, which I will project the image of the sun onto while the eclipse is happening).

However, I want to also 'view' it with my own eyes. I will need protective eyewear. Where can I get such things? What else should i be prepared for? What should I do if I wanted to catch a video of the vent? Will a normal camera take decent pictures or video?

Do let me know. I want to witness this once in a lifetime opportunity and make the most of it.

Horsetuna · Post by **Horsetuna** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 9:12 pm

Anyone?

npsguy · Post by **npsguy** » Wed Jan 30, 2008 2:38 pm

NASA website for advice on viewing: http://sunearth.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse/S ... afety.html

One place to get eclipse viewers is here: http://www.thousandoaksoptical.com/www/ ... lipse.html

For picture taking there is a chapter from a book on the subject here:
http://www.mreclipse.com/Totality/TotalityCh12-1.html

It seems to cover close up images as well as landscape photography of eclipses as well.

Good luck.

Horsetuna · Post by **Horsetuna** » Wed Jan 30, 2008 3:16 pm

Sweet. Thanks!

I found out a big camping event that I wnat to go to is the same weekend of the eclipse, so I gotta figure a way to double-time it to go to both.

BMAONE23 · Post by **BMAONE23** » Wed Jan 30, 2008 6:06 pm

Are you certain about the time? It seems to me that the sun is still asleep at 3:24 AM

Horsetuna · Post by **Horsetuna** » Wed Jan 30, 2008 6:36 pm

Fairly sure...

This is after all, summer in the Arctic Circle, where they sometimes get 24 hours of daylight.

According to a few sources I found, it all begins at about 8am UTC, which converted to local time for Cambridge bay, is indeed 3;00 am (So totality I guess is at about 3:30.)

npsguy · Post by **npsguy** » Wed Jan 30, 2008 9:40 pm

BMAONE23 wrote:Are you certain about the time? It seems to me that the sun is still asleep at 3:24 AM

I saw that too and did a double take.

BMAONE23 · Post by **BMAONE23** » Wed Jan 30, 2008 10:04 pm

YEAH
I forgot that was at the top of the world

Horsetuna · Post by **Horsetuna** » Wed Jan 30, 2008 10:11 pm

Indeed it is. I've never been so far north before... I wont even be on the mainland anymore.

So even if the weather is cloudy and miss the eclipse, its sure to be one heck of a trip. I intend to arrive early morningish, sleep all day (somewhere), get up and stargaze all night and then catch the eclipse.

The population is only 1500... I wonder if there's anyone else going.

npsguy · Post by **npsguy** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 2:29 am

Horsetuna wrote:The population is only 1500... I wonder if there's anyone else going.

They have a local government website with a list of attractions and photos

http://www.cambridgebay.ca/visitingus/attractions.htm

I have to admit their attractions page is not very exciting and it is kind of funny. I think the real attraction is just meeting the people and looking at the scenery.

People that drive this are OK in my book

Horsetuna · Post by **Horsetuna** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 2:48 am

... That is hilarious.

Orca · Post by **Orca** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 12:46 am

I bet you can see some great auroras from there! I was in Alaska a few years back. However, I happened to go in July. The sky never got dark enough to see many stars let alone auroras...

8)