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Merged Solar Eclipse 2017!

Myself, I want it quiet and peaceful, especially during totality. I don't want anything distracting from it. (I won't even notice it, but I bet some people will be taking flash pictures of the sky). :)
 
For Chicagolanders not going to St. Louis, Carbondale or elsewhere for the Total Solar Eclipse on Monday 2017 AUG 21, here is my rendering of how the maximum of the Partial Solar Eclipse should appear from Chicago's Adler Planetarium. Of course the Moon should actually appear the same color as the sky, but I've darkened it to emphasize its positioning. The next Total Solar Eclipse visible from at least a portion of the city of Chicago will occur on 2099 SEP 14. You kids who plan to see that 2099 eclipse may want to drive north of Milwaukee for a longer duration of totality.

Eclipse-Chicago.JPG
 
Here's my rendering of how the planets and bright stars will appear during the maximum of the 2017 AUG 21 Total Solar Eclipse in Carbondale, Illinois.

Eclipse-Carbondale.JPG
 
ODOT shows traffic is not bad at all. The only slowdown is right in Madras and the I-5 bridge over the Columbia, but we'll be on the bypass.

There's a fire near Madras but so far the air quality index is OK.

Washed the car windows, tank's full, topped off wiper fluid and radiator, checked the air in the spare, gear's set out, got all the supplies except water.
 
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We are in Salina Kansas, and will be heading three hours north to Grand Island Nebraska very early Monday morning.

All the major roads in this area have electronic road-construction signs warning of heavy traffic on Monday.
 
Trebuchet said:
I should practice tomorrow before the event. What I did this afternoon was to sneak a peek to see where it was then be stuck with afterimages.
Click to expand...

Put your hand in front of your eyes, find the bright spot without looking at it, then aim the binocs.
 
The obvious route to the path of totality from Northern Colorado is North on I25 to Glendo State Park or Casper. My plan is to leave at 3 am, take a less obvious route and watch from one of several possible sites near Scottsbluff, Nebraska. Taking along everything we need on the assumption that local vendors will run out. My car can go 550 miles or better on a tank of fuel and is already topped off. If the weather looks bad for Scottsbluff we will head for a spot South of Casper via another obscure route.
 
The America's Best Inn in Maryville (northern Missouri) has a few rooms left at the standard rate. It's just outside of totality line but we plan to drive to the area tomorrow morning. We could go west, south, or southeast from here depending on cloud cover and traffic.
 
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Out at Menan Buttes North of Idaho falls. Someone's going around doing interviews and they got a long spiel from the guy at the campsite next to me. Full on electric universe and all the things the eclipse will prove.
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We've made it to Portland, OR, where it'll be 99%. We plan to go no further. It's cloudy at the moment anyhow.

The hotel provided us with a little black goodie bag that says "I blacked out at the beach". Because it's at Jantzen Beach. Which is an island. In the bag are a pack of Eclipse brand chewing gum and two packs of Moon Pies. They're also having a buffet in the morning.
 
In Chattanooga. Staying in a pretty decent hotel for about $60. Only took 2 hours to drive from just below Atlanta. Plan on getting up early and seeing what traffic to Nashville is like. Weather looks like it will be good.
 
Weather is great in Portland, so far. I had breakfast on the hotel terrace overlooking the Columbia River. Now I'm going to go get my viewing stuff from the car and go back out there.
 
Only took 2 hours to get from Chattanooga to Nashville. Found great spot in parking lot near the Grand Ole Opry. The sky is pretty clear.
 
OMG, part of the Sun is missing! We're all gonnna DIE....


...Eventually.


Eclipse binocs are pretty cool. I can see sunspots. But I have my usual problem getting my eyes to work together with binocs, so I'm closing one eye. I'll put a lens cap back on to make it easier.
 
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