Total Eclipse 8/4/2024.

Some of the loony conspiracy stuff I’ve read about this are off the charts, even for the loony conspiracy theorists.
 
I was in Cornwall for the one in 1999, but didn’t see it as the sky was heavily overcast, though the darkness was weird. The forecast for here on Monday is looking extremely favourable.

I was up a hill for the Cornwall one and it made the hairs stand up on the back of my neck.

same here.
except i was up a hill in the peak district.
clear skies.
what a weird feeling as it started.
and all the birds begin to sing their dusk chorus.

i've still got my royal greenwich observatory guide booklet,
and the special glasses that came with it.

i'm very jealous of all of you who will witness it today.
hoping the skies are clear for you.
 
same here.
except i was up a hill in the peak district.
clear skies.
what a weird feeling as it started.
and all the birds begin to sing their dusk chorus.

i've still got my royal greenwich observatory guide booklet,
and the special glasses that came with it.

i'm very jealous of all of you who will witness it today.
hoping the skies are clear for you.
The Peak District wasn't the in line of totality though! It actually went pitch black in Cornwall after you could sea the shadow racing in over the ocean. I've never seen anythign move so fast as that shadow too.

I heard it described at the time that watching an eclipse from outside the line of totality is like watching an opera from the foyer.
 
I was on a boat in the Channel in '99. The thing I remember is how quickly it went dark, almost like someone had turned the dimmer switch down, and at totality there was a ring of light on the horizon all the way around the boat. The noise about this one has made me think about making plans to go and see the one in Aug 2026 in northern Spain.
 
This missus has been kind enough to drag me (and our toddler) out to the middle of totality here in Maine to enjoy the eclipse on a beautiful sunny day. Have a family we are close with arriving a bit later with their kids, as well.

We went to Millinocket, which is right in the path of totality, as our home is just outside of the path of the shadow, and it is already jam-packed with people here. They have a little festival going with food trucks and market tents, and some music from concert speakers (the selection would likely fill many pages of discussion and debate in the music thread on here).

I have only seen one other total eclipse in my lifetime when I was a younger lad, in 1999 outside of Munich whilst on holiday. I think it cemented my love of science and science fiction, as well set me on a path to atheism (but that is another discussion).

Won’t be posting today apart from this as it is tough to use speech-to-text these days and it took some time and help from the missus to post this.

Hope blues in the US that are able to see the eclipse have a wonderful time. Really is meant to be a spectacular experience.
 
The Peak District wasn't the in line of totality though! It actually went pitch black in Cornwall after you could sea the shadow racing in over the ocean. I've never seen anythign move so fast as that shadow too.

I heard it described at the time that watching an eclipse from outside the line of totality is like watching an opera from the foyer.
we chose 93% with almost assured clear skies,
over cornwall 100% with clouds being a distinct possibility.

i've been to plenty of operas
(never from the foyer, mind)
and it was better than all of them put together.

you're not pissing on my chips :)
 
We’re in a diner in a little town in Arkansas called Cabot.

The staff are all excited about the upcoming experience, as we are.

At the moment, the skies are partially cloudy, and the forecast for the next few hours is looking good.
 
Some absolute zingers out there.

My current favourite is the eclipse is a smoke screen for an EMP attack by Putin.
They’re saying ‘they started chem trails last night to stop up seeing what’s really going on’. Asking where the moon is etc.

That nation is fucking backwards.
 
Channel surfing and thought I'd check out the coverage of this. Both sky and BBC so incredibly poor, actively ruining the experience.

Sky's camera was so shaky it looked like my 11 years olds first attempt at a YouTube video.

BBC, they came out wish such crap trying to big up the event. Asked a guy "what does the eclipse mean to you, professionally, as a scientist?"

It's happening now and the egotistical witch still won't shut up, jabbering over the celestial event. "And it now appears that it's nightfall..." Dear God, zip it!

Mute button recommended, but a truly impressive event.
 

Don't have an account? Register now and see fewer ads!

SIGN UP
Back
Top