An Eclipse Chaser’s Guide to Your First Eclipse • Hacker News Board

Re: An Eclipse Chaser’s Guide to Your First Eclipse

#11

Post by AnimalMuppet » Wed, Aug 16, 2017, 4:37 PM UTC

js2 wrote: post #3

I think there are all of four tips in this guide. Mostly it's a profile of eclipse chasers. Tips: 1. Get to somewhere in the path of totality. 2. Get there the day before. (There's already highway signs up near me in NC warning of traffic and I'm five hours away from the path of totality.) 3. Stay mobile if you can to be able to drive to clear skies in case of weather. 4. Don't bother with a camera; just observe as m…

The problem with "get there the day before" is that you then have to get back. You might want to do that the day after.

(I'm not. I'm getting there two days before, and trying to get back the same day, and I'm nervous about the second part...)

Re: An Eclipse Chaser’s Guide to Your First Eclipse

#12

Post by bwanab » Wed, Aug 16, 2017, 4:39 PM UTC

overcast wrote: post #7

I was considering flying down to the Smokey Mountains to do some hiking, and eclipse seeing. But from the sound of things, it's going to be a complete madhouse. Coupled with the prices for everything, and the risk of poor weather(thunderstorms are predicted this entire week), not worth it. The eclipse in 2024 is going to be literally dead center over my house, I think I'll wait it out, and check out the mostly total…

That's exactly what I'm doing with my son. Couple of days in the mountains, then to middle TN to watch the eclipse. I'm not going to obsess over the weather! checks weather app for the eighth time today

Re: An Eclipse Chaser’s Guide to Your First Eclipse

#13

Post by hammock » Wed, Aug 16, 2017, 4:41 PM UTC

neogodless wrote: post #10

I would just be happy to know how (where) to get solar eclipse glasses. I had a thought a couple months ago to order them, but I brushed it aside. About two weeks ago, I started to get serious, but it was already too late. I couldn't find anything that wasn't wildly marked up on Amazon. Finally, I found a set of 4 on REI.com with estimated delivery of August 18th, and I ordered them on the 10th. They were shipped on…

See if you have a local planetarium/ observatory /science museum that is selling them or giving them away.

Re: An Eclipse Chaser’s Guide to Your First Eclipse

#14

Post by neogodless » Wed, Aug 16, 2017, 4:42 PM UTC

hammock wrote: post #13

neogodless wrote: post #10

I would just be happy to know how (where) to get solar eclipse glasses. I had a thought a couple months ago to order them, but I brushed it aside. About two weeks ago, I started to get serious, but it was already too late. I couldn't find anything that wasn't wildly marked up on Amazon. Finally, I found a set of 4 on REI.com with estimated delivery of August 18th, and I ordered them on the 10th. They were shipped on…

See if you have a local planetarium/ observatory /science museum that is selling them or giving them away.

My wife called five libraries and about a dozen retail establishments yesterday. Nothing! It does sound like the only way to get them is to go to one of the science museums _early_ on the morning of and try to get in line before everyone else.

Re: An Eclipse Chaser’s Guide to Your First Eclipse

#15

Post by dsfyu404ed » Wed, Aug 16, 2017, 4:47 PM UTC

mrfusion wrote: post #8

Do you guys have any recommendations where to get to totality from philly? That's not totally booked up.

Hang around an airport that caters to general aviation. Ask who's planning to see the eclipse from the air. Offer to pay for gas.

Re: An Eclipse Chaser’s Guide to Your First Eclipse

#16

Post by solutionyogi » Wed, Aug 16, 2017, 5:00 PM UTC

So as someone who did not plan for this monumental event, what are my options to see the totality? I live in NYC and can rent a car.

Re: An Eclipse Chaser’s Guide to Your First Eclipse

#17

Post by jldugger » Wed, Aug 16, 2017, 5:00 PM UTC

neogodless wrote: post #10

I would just be happy to know how (where) to get solar eclipse glasses. I had a thought a couple months ago to order them, but I brushed it aside. About two weeks ago, I started to get serious, but it was already too late. I couldn't find anything that wasn't wildly marked up on Amazon. Finally, I found a set of 4 on REI.com with estimated delivery of August 18th, and I ordered them on the 10th. They were shipped on…

I paid two dollars for a pair at Fred meyers. I'd many places expecting increased sales in the path of totality will have some.

Re: An Eclipse Chaser’s Guide to Your First Eclipse

#18

Post by teilo » Wed, Aug 16, 2017, 5:02 PM UTC

neogodless wrote: post #10

I would just be happy to know how (where) to get solar eclipse glasses. I had a thought a couple months ago to order them, but I brushed it aside. About two weeks ago, I started to get serious, but it was already too late. I couldn't find anything that wasn't wildly marked up on Amazon. Finally, I found a set of 4 on REI.com with estimated delivery of August 18th, and I ordered them on the 10th. They were shipped on…

If you are in the path of totality, don't worry about the glasses. In the path of totality, eclipse glasses are only for observing the sun before and after full occlusion. Instead, make a pinhole projector. It's super easy (any thin-walled cardboard box will do).

Then, when you are at full occlusion, you can look directly at the sun to observe the eclipse until full occlusion is over.

Re: An Eclipse Chaser’s Guide to Your First Eclipse

#19

Post by [deleted] » Wed, Aug 16, 2017, 5:03 PM UTC

neogodless wrote: post #10

I would just be happy to know how (where) to get solar eclipse glasses. I had a thought a couple months ago to order them, but I brushed it aside. About two weeks ago, I started to get serious, but it was already too late. I couldn't find anything that wasn't wildly marked up on Amazon. Finally, I found a set of 4 on REI.com with estimated delivery of August 18th, and I ordered them on the 10th. They were shipped on…

[deleted]

Re: An Eclipse Chaser’s Guide to Your First Eclipse

#20

Post by schoen » Wed, Aug 16, 2017, 5:06 PM UTC

neogodless wrote: post #10

I would just be happy to know how (where) to get solar eclipse glasses. I had a thought a couple months ago to order them, but I brushed it aside. About two weeks ago, I started to get serious, but it was already too late. I couldn't find anything that wasn't wildly marked up on Amazon. Finally, I found a set of 4 on REI.com with estimated delivery of August 18th, and I ordered them on the 10th. They were shipped on…

As discussed on another thread, one of the NASA guides says

> One of the most widely available filters for safe solar viewing is a number 14 welder's glass, available through welding supply outlets.

https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEhelp/safety.html

While there's probably also huge demand for welding goggles right now, a majority of people shopping for eclipse viewing gear might not know that (some) welding eyewear would be safe for eclipse viewing. (It would be a good idea to ask an expert before using arbitrary welding gear to view the sun, in case different kinds of welding goggles block different parts of the spectrum to different extents.)