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The Total Solar Eclipse Mayhem is Underway

Posted on April 7, 2024 by onespaceman2000

No good astronomical event happens without accompanying pain, or so it would seem given all of the news stories about tomorrow’s eclipse. We are hearing plenty of stories about overpriced hotels, traffic jams, and even the intervention of FEMA. Just wait until you hear all of the stories about people who paid a fortune to find the eclipse blocked by clouds.

Here are a few of the crazy headlines from the areas impacted by the pending eclipse:

“Traffic ‘Significantly Increases’ Along NW Indiana Highways as Crowds Travel for Solar Eclipse,” NBC Chicago
“‘Severe’ Traffic Expected in Maine for Solar Eclipse,” New Center Maine
Emergency Declaration: 2024 Solar Eclipse, Texas Department of Public Safety
“April 8 Total Solar Eclipse: Police Warn of Cell Service Problems,” Masslive
“Once-in-lifetime Solar Eclipse Could Cause Epic Traffic Problems, Service Outages in Dayton Region,” Dayton Daily News
“US Eclipse Travelers Met with Sky-high Prices – and Reservation Snafus” The Guardian

As far as hotel rooms, The Guardian news story above states:

Amid the clamor for accommodation, one travel agency said it had been forced to rearrange lodging for more than 150 people after bookings made two years earlier at two Buffalo hotels were canceled. Rooms that had cost $129 to $159 were canceled and resold at $450 or more, according to Sugar Tours, owner, Chris Donnelly, who said it was “total price gouging”.

It is all pretty silly, but no one wants to be left out. NASA will have the better pictures and eclipse details, given its planned rocket launches, yet these folks need something for Facebook or Instagram.

I do not really care for the crowds, so I will await the press stories and NASA images. Nonetheless, for those who feel the need to be on the front lines, I wish them a safe trip with clear skies.

Wallops Flight Facility to Launch Rockets to Study Eclipse

Posted on March 30, 2024 by onespaceman2000

^{Image (Credit): NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. (Timmons Group)}

While Virginia will not be in the direct path of the upcoming Total Solar Eclipse, it will be playing a role related to the eclipse that day.

NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility on the Virginia coast will be launch three rockets to study disturbances in the Earth’s ionosphere during the eclipse. The rockets will be launched 45 minutes before, during, and 45 minutes after the peak local eclipse.

These launches are part of NASA’s Atmospheric Perturbations around Eclipse Path (APEP) mission. Such launches during an eclipse are not unusual as NASA hopes to learn a few things from this study.

Aroh Barjatya, a professor of engineering physics at Florida’s Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University campus, stated:

Understanding the ionosphere and developing models to help us predict disturbances is crucial to making sure our increasingly communication-dependent world operates smoothly.

Pic of the Week: Preparing for the Total Solar Eclipse

Posted on March 28, 2024 by onespaceman2000

^{Credit: New York Department of Economic Development}

This week’s image comes from the great state of New York, which is advertising the upcoming Total Solar Eclipse on April 8.

New York is one of the state’s that will experience the eclipse, and the New York Department of Economic Development is not missing the chance to ensure everyone knows this.

A handy map also provides the timing of the eclipse in each city.

The Total Solar Eclipse: Some Reminders

Posted on March 24, 2024 by onespaceman2000

^{Image (Credit): A view of the Moon’s shadow on Earth during the solar eclipse on August 11, 1999. The image was captured by Russia’s Mir space station. (Mir 27 Crew)}

On April 8, should you be outside staring at the Total Solar Eclipse, you may want to take a few precautions so that you can witness future eclipses as well. In other words, protect your eyes!

NASA has provided a few tips related to photographing the eclipse. Please keep all of this in mind.

For instance, NASA notes:

Looking directly at the Sun is dangerous to your eyes and your camera. To take images when the Sun is partially eclipsed, you’ll need to use a special solar filter to protect your camera, just as you’ll need a pair of solar viewing glasses (also called eclipse glasses) to protect your eyes. However, at totality, when the Moon completely blocks the Sun, make sure to remove the filter so you can see the Sun’s outer atmosphere – the corona.

Let’s have some fun and be safe as well.

Make Your 2024 Solar Eclipse Plans Now

Posted on March 17, 2024 by onespaceman2000

^{Image (Credit): A U.S. map showing the path of the Moon’s shadow during the 2023 annular solar eclipse (left side) and 2024 total solar eclipse (right side). (NASA)}

If you are planning to get a good seat for the total solar eclipse on April 8, you may want to consult the NASA Solar Eclipses map (shown above) to figure our where you want to be. Hint for 2024 – California is not the place to be.

The 2024 solar eclipse map (shown below) from Scientific American magazine might also be helpful. It clearly highlights the cities that will have the best show.