— On August 21, the sun will disappear for a short time.

For a swath of the country from Portland, Oregon, to Charleston, South Carolina, it will feel like someone just turned off the sun in the middle of the day.

Even if you live elsewhere in the US, a portion of the sun will partially disappear. It is being called the "Great American Eclipse." And you can mark it on your calendar down to the millisecond.

It's been 99 years since a total solar eclipse crossed the country from the Pacific to the Atlantic. The total solar eclipse on June 8, 1918, crossed the States from Washington to Florida.
During the celestial event, the moon will pass in between the sun and the Earth, appearing to block the sun for almost an hour and a half.

Kansas City, Nashville and Charleston are some of the cities that will have a good chance of seeing the sun totally covered.

Space enthusiasts are already starting to get excited for the eclipse, some counting down the days, while others are booking hotels for the big moment!

That would be an amazing thing to experience. Unfortunately I'm not in the direct path.

I've heard that some people plan their vacations solely based on where the solar eclipses will be happening all around the world.

Will it reach Cleveland?

I'm planning to see this eclipse in Tennessee between Nashville and Chattanooga. I also plan to visit a couple of Amusement Parks, one on the way up north and another on the way home. This will be the fifth time I've gone to the center line of a solar eclipse (I observed two Total Eclipses, one in 1991 and the other in 1998, and I observed Annular (Ring of Fire) Eclipses in 1994 and 2012.

After this eclipse the next two eclipses to cross the US will be an Annular Eclipse in 2023 and a Total Eclipse in 2024. The town of Utopia, Texas will be in the path of both of them.

Remember never to look directly at the sun while any part of its bright disk is visible (not TOTALLY eclipsed). If there is ANY bright part of the sun showing, you cannot look at it without eye protection. When the eclipse is TOTAL, that is, when ALL of it is completely covered by the moon, you can then look at it directly without eye protection.
This map is a general pathway of the eclipse across the USA. You have to be
in the pathway to see the TOTAL eclipse. Depending on the weather, you may have to be prepared to travel.

Remember never to look directly at the sun while any part of its bright disk is visible (not TOTALLY eclipsed). If there is ANY bright part of the sun showing, you cannot look at it without eye protection. When the eclipse is TOTAL, that is, when ALL of it is completely covered by the moon, you can then look at it directly without eye protection.
This map is a general pathway of the eclipse across the USA. You have to be
in the pathway to see the TOTAL eclipse. Depending on the weather, you may have to be prepared to travel.

Looks like it isn't hitting Cleveland...or California, New York, Florida, The District of Columbia, Las Vegas or even Chicago....

No, Cleveland isn't in the pathway. Some of the best spots are:
Madras, Oregon
Snake River Valley, Idaho
Casper, Wyoming
Sandhills of western Nebraska
St. Joseph, Missouri
Carbondale, Illinois
Hopkinsville, Kentucky
Nashville, Tennessee
Great Smoky Mountain National Park
Columbia, South Carolina

Michigan isn't in the path either.

We had a partial eclipse here in Europe two years ago. But I somehow managed to forget about it, until I noticed that something was wrong with the daylight (it was like twilight even though it was in the middle of the day). Then I remembered the eclipse!

But there will be no total eclipse here in Sweden until 2126, and we last had one in 1954.

I found out Allegiant Air has a flight from Sanford, Florida to Chattanooga, Tennessee for a wallet-busting $102.00. :banana: So I logged onto their site and relieved them of a ticket. :D I will leave on Sunday, August 20 and return on Thursday, August 24. In addition to seeing the Eclipse I also plan to hike to a mountaintop in the Great Smoky Mountains and spend a day at Dollywood, which has opened five new roller coasters since my last visit in 2005. omg:

Looks like it isn't hitting Cleveland...or California, New York, Florida, The District of Columbia, Las Vegas or even Chicago....
or Philadelphia!:mad: :mad: :mad:

I've heard that some people plan their vacations solely based on where the solar eclipses will be happening all around the world.

I've been on two such trips. I went on a Cruise on a Royal Caribbean Cruise that was sponsored by Astronomy Magazine in 1991. The ship intercepted the eclipse in the Sea of Cortez between Cabo San Lucas and Mazatlan. Then in 1998 I went on a Holland America Cruise sponsored by Sky and Telescope Magazine. This time the ship intercepted the eclipse in the southern Caribbean Sea between the islands of Aruba and Curacao. In 1994 and again in 2012 I watched those eclipses with others who held "Eclipse Parties" for those eclipses. :bluesbros

PS. My sources tell me the Wal Marts that are located along the path of totality will be JUMPING on the weekend before the eclipse (You should have seen what I saw at a Wal Mart in Albuquerqe, New Mexico on the day before that eclipse in 2012. You'd think it was the day before Memorial Day, Independence Day or Labor Day). It was VERY Obvious there was going to be a great big party! party:

No, Cleveland isn't in the pathway. Some of the best spots are:
Madras, Oregon
Snake River Valley, Idaho
Casper, Wyoming
Sandhills of western Nebraska
St. Joseph, Missouri
Carbondale, Illinois
Hopkinsville, Kentucky
Nashville, Tennessee
Great Smoky Mountain National Park
Columbia, South Carolina

Nice! Madras is one of our favorite vacation spots here.

Will it reach Cleveland?


Cleveland's usually in the dark so you're not missing anything. :lol:

No, Cleveland isn't in the pathway. Some of the best spots are:
Madras, Oregon
Snake River Valley, Idaho
Casper, Wyoming
Sandhills of western Nebraska
St. Joseph, Missouri
Carbondale, Illinois
Hopkinsville, Kentucky
Nashville, Tennessee
Great Smoky Mountain National Park
Columbia, South Carolina

I've chosen the area between Sweetwater, Tennessee and Madisonville, Tennessee as my first pick for observing the eclipse (There's a Tourist Attraction in the area called the Lost Sea, and considering they're on the centerline of this eclipse it's certain five will get you ten they will be hosting an eclipse party :party: at their site. In case of inclement weather I'm prepared to travel as far east as US 23 where it intersects the centerline at the North Carolina Georgia borders, or as far west as Goodlitsville Tennesee (I-65 just north of Nashville, Tennessee). Whatever site I choose, the "Main Event" (That's Totality for those you in Rio Linda! :rofl:) will take place approximately between the hours of 2:00 to 2:30PM Eastern Daylight Time. If you are on your one, you must be flexible, but there's another rule, mainly HAVE FUN! :D

I've chosen the area between Sweetwater, Tennessee and Madisonville, Tennessee as my first pick for observing the eclipse (There's a Tourist Attraction in the area called the Lost Sea, and considering they're on the centerline of this eclipse it's certain five will get you ten they will be hosting an eclipse party :party: at their site. In case of inclement weather I'm prepared to travel as far east as US 23 where it intersects the centerline at the North Carolina Georgia borders, or as far west as Goodlitsville Tennesee (I-65 just north of Nashville, Tennessee). Whatever site I choose, the "Main Event" (That's Totality for those you in Rio Linda! :rofl:) will take place approximately between the hours of 2:00 to 2:30PM Eastern Daylight Time. If you are on your one, you must be flexible, but there's another rule, mainly HAVE FUN! :D


Hopefully it will be a non-cloudy, sunny day ( until eclipse).

Bummer News! :( I found out the outfitters in this area only do the upper stretch of the Ocoee River on Saturdays and Sundays. They also charge $99.00 for this stretch. omg: Now some GOOD NEWS. There's another river, the Hiwassee River, and they do runs on this river every day during the summer. The price is reasonable, only $25.00. :thumbsup: Just before I fly home I'll take on this river in a one-man "Ducky". :cool: As for the upper Ocoee, I'll just have to "Save it for seed". :)

Reports of price gouging for hotel rooms, during the eclipse are surfacing. As a result, consumers complain hotels have cancelled reservations and jacked up room rates. Some hotels are charging up to $1000 a night.

I checked my reservations yesterday, and found out I'm on the up and up. I've heard stories from those trying to reserve car rentals without a credit card. :eek: I found out my reservations are Ok, I was told to make sure I show my Drivers License and another card with my photo on it. Tomorrow I'll see if I can get a photo of me on my Debit Card, then heck or high water I'll gladly donate $50.00 to BJs and renew my membership with them (I WAS going to do this AFTER I got back from Tennessee but I'm more than happy to push this up a month). :cool:

WASHINGTON — The Postal Service will soon release a first-of-its-kind stamp that changes when you touch it. The Total Eclipse of the Sun Forever stamp, which commemorates the August 21 eclipse, transforms into an image of the Moon from the heat of a finger. Then when the stamp cools
it turns light again. Looks like this is going to be a collector's item!


The Total Eclipse of the Sun Forever stamps may be pre-ordered at usps.com/shop in early June for delivery following the June 20 nationwide issuance.

Total Solar Eclipse T Shirt

Here's a few places you can get a pair of free Solar Eclispe glasses

•Mystery Science and Google are donating 15,000 pairs of glasses to elementary schools.


•NASA Library Initiative and the Moore Foundation are providing free glasses to be picked up at 4,800 local libraries across the nation.


•Astronomers Without Borders is donating glasses to veteran's hospitals, homeless youth shelters, and other underserved communities.


Here's where you can buy them.

•7-Eleven


•Bi-Mart


•Casey's General Store


•Circle K


•Hobby Town


•Kirklands


•Kroger


•Love's Travel Stops


•Lowe's


•Menards


•Pilot/Flying J


•Toys "R" Us


•Walmart

I got eclipse glasses online months ago really cheap - now they are really price gouging on them - stupid paper glasses going for $20 apiece, and if they at reasonably priced then they are going to really gouge you on the shipping if you want them before September

Regulus, not sure exactly when you're visiting Dollywood but Dolly will be visiting the DP's Celebrity Theater inside of Dollywood at 11am on August 18 to discuss upcoming events and projects.

Regulus, not sure exactly when you're visiting Dollywood but Dolly will be visiting the DP's Celebrity Theater inside of Dollywood at 11am on August 18 to discuss upcoming events and projects.

I'll be visiting Dollywood on the 23rd. This is the final full day I'll be in Tennessee, so I'm treating it as a "Closing Cerimony" before I board that big white bird to take me back to Florida.

I'll be visiting Dollywood on the 23rd. This is the final full day I'll be in Tennessee, so I'm treating it as a "Closing Cerimony" before I board that big white bird to take me back to Florida.
Be sure to get some cinnamon bread at the Grist Mill in Dollywood. It's delicious!

I'm going back in November for the Christmas celebration! Can't wait to see all the decorations, lights, & shows!

I'm also already planning a summer 2018 trip with my mom who's not been. She'll have a blast!

Dollywood is so much fun! A very clean park with so many friendly people. You feel really safe there.

Be sure to get some cinnamon bread at the Grist Mill in Dollywood. It's delicious!

Consider it done! ;) If I can do it I also plan to get some corn meal from the Grist Mill at Cades Cove, Corn Bread made with this kicks @$$ all over the place! :thumbsup:

Dollywood is so much fun! A very clean park with so many friendly people. You feel really safe there.

Got my special glasses all ready to go!

I was talking to some cousins who live in the town of Jasper, Georgia (Located north of Atlanta) and they told me many of the school districts in north Georgia are having an "Eclipse Day" and are closing their schools so the students can observe the eclipse next Monday. It's a far cry from the 1994 "Ring of Fire" eclipse, when many schools refused to let their students outside during that eclipse because they feared their students would hurt their eyes by watching the eclipse properly. :eek: A student in Texas, unable to secure permission from his parents to miss school to see that eclipse because both of them were on business trips took it on himself to skip school on eclipse day. When he was told he was going to be expelled for truancy then Governor George W. Bush PARDONED the student, saving the scholarship he'd secured (He was penalized 1/2 a grade on his term paper for his "unauthorized absence" (Which he'd already factored into the grade at the time he took his "personal field trip")). :crazy:

On Aug 21 2017, NASA Television will air a four-hour show, Eclipse Across America, with unprecedented live video of the celestial event, along with coverage of activities in parks, libraries, stadiums, festivals and museums across the nation, and on social media.
On the day of the eclipse go to www.nasa.gov/eclipselive(link is external), where you will be directed by default to the NASA TV broadcast. The broadcast starts at 12 noon EDT and will connect with many of the NASA broadcasts distributed across the country.
ABC, NBC and the Weather Channel will also be having live coverage.

i bought a bunch of the paper glasses to give out to my nieces and nephews, and I ordered myself a pair of #14 welding goggles - and then Amazon said that because the seller did not verify the manufacturer/origin/safety certification they refunded the charges on it, so - FREE!

i'm gonna go walk around outside with them on - if i get hit by a car I will know that I really can't see anything and they are truly working and safe to use on Monday

:( BUMMER NEWS ! :(

Due to a malfunction of their portable TV Camera LSN will be unable to provide coverage of this Monday's eclipse. Their reporter will be at the Lost Sea Caverns on August 21 and will provide a written report about what he saw during their :jig: :party: eclipse party. :party: :bluesbros: Sorry folks, but this trip will be "Eyes Only"! :crazy:http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/attachment.php?attachmentid=220980&stc=1&d=1503083979

Krispy Kreme "announced their limited edition eclipse doughnut — a dreamy treat topped with a mouth watering chocolate glaze. Customers can sneak in an early taste test if they stop by at participating United States and Canada locations during evening 'Hot Light' hours on Aug. 19 and 20. You can track your local Krispy Kreme's 'Hot Light' through their app so that you don't miss a thing."

I'm joining the party!

Total Eclipse Cocktail
Recipe:
4 oz. Sparkling Clementine or Orange Pop
1.5 oz. dark Rum
1 Orange or Lemon slice for garnish

Pour Clementine or Orange Pop over ice in cocktail glass.
Gently pour dark Rum on top.
Garnish with Orange or Lemon slice.

Total Eclipse Cocktail
Recipe:
4 oz. Sparkling Clementine or Orange Pop
1.5 oz. dark Rum
1 Orange or Lemon slice for garnish

Pour Clementine or Orange Pop over ice in cocktail glass.
Gently pour dark Rum on top.
Garnish with Orange or Lemon slice.

When I arrive in Chattanooga I'm going to ask where the nearest "Uncle Wally's" is and get an orange soda. I'm bring a mini-bottle of dark rum, with me from Florida, after totality I'll make this "Adult Beverage" for myself, and make a few others to share with my fellow eclipse chasers (If I'm allowed to do so by the staff of the Lost Sea).

My bags are packed and I'm ready to go. Tomorrow morning a friend will drive me to church. After services are over he will drive me to the Sanford/Orlando Airport. Then I'm off to Tennessee! I do have one prayer request. From Oregon to South Carolina a multitude of people will (If they haven't already) be making their way to the centerline of the path of totality. I'm praying to God thet everyone travels safely to their selected viewing spots, and they view the eclipse in a safe manner so they don't hurt their eyes. I pray this in the name of Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior,

AMEN!

When I arrive in Chattanooga I'm going to ask where the nearest "Uncle Wally's" is and get an orange soda. I'm bring a mini-bottle of dark rum, with me from Florida, after totality I'll make this "Adult Beverage" for myself, and make a few others to share with my fellow eclipse chasers (If I'm allowed to do so by the staff of the Lost Sea).


If you get anywhere near Bell Buckle Tn, stop in and have a Moon Pie & an RC cola.

Praying you have safe trip Regulus! Have fun!

THE last total eclipse in the U. S. was in 1918. I remember my grandma telling us about it. She was 8 years old and said that they had no idea what was happening. They thought that it was Jesus' second coming.:)

Bummer! It was cloudy and rainy here! It just got a little darker for a few
minutes. Mainly, I saw the eclipse on TV. Of all days to rain!.

I don't know if I saw it. I borrowed the eclipse glasses but I only saw darkness. I mean it got dark, I guess.

THE last total eclipse in the U. S. was in 1918. I remember my grandma telling us about it. She was 8 years old and said that they had no idea what was happening. They thought that it was Jesus' second coming.:)no, the 1918 one was the last one to be vivsible over the entire U.S. The last one was in 1979.

I thought the eclipse was kind of lame because it was only partial in my area and would've been more fun if I lived somewhere else.

no, the 1918 one was the last one to be vivsible over the entire U.S. The last one was in 1979.

You're right! I do remember the 79 eclipse.
Here in Michigan that one was much like this one.:)

Wouldn't you know, it's bright and sunny here today. The day AFTER the
eclipse! On TV, some people said they were able to see a planet with their
naked eye. Others, said they saw a east and west sunset! Did anybody
get a chance to see anything?

There was a star or planet to the west of the eclipse that we could see here. The whole total eclipse was pretty cool. It lasted just a little over 2 minutes and it got dark & the temp dropped over 10 degrees. They had several viewing parties around town, one near us at the Winery. Here's a link.

http://z975.com/local/photos-blackout-at-beachaven-vineyards-winery/

There was a star or planet to the west of the eclipse that we could see here. The whole total eclipse was pretty cool. It lasted just a little over 2 minutes and it got dark & the temp dropped over 10 degrees. They had several viewing parties around town, one near us at the Winery. Here's a link.

http://z975.com/local/photos-blackout-at-beachaven-vineyards-winery/

The star to the left of the eclipse was my star...

:D :banana: REGULUS! :banana: :D

I had an outstanding view of the eclipse in Sweetwater, Tennessee. The weather couldn't have been any better, and we had about 2 1/2 minutes of totality. About two minutes before totality the crickets began chirping, and when totality ended they stopped chirping. As for us humans we all shouted and screamed when totality began, and when totality ended everybody

:clap APPLAUDED! :clap

it did not get dark enough here to see any planets or stars (we were at 89% max coverage), but depending on your location if it got dark enough you could have seen up to 4 planets -Jupiter, Mercury, Mars, and Venus

http://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/august-21-2017-solar-eclipse-4-planets-bright-stars

we will be right in the path of totality for the next one on April 8th 2024 (although it is ALSO on a Monday :mad:)

Regulus, did you have your eclipse cocktail? :)

I sure did! :thumbsup: Six oz Orange Soda with one shot of Dark Rum on the rocks. :D (I had to have it at my hotel as no adult beverages were allowed at the Lost Sea, rules are rules!) patriot:

We went to see it in Spencer, Tennessee, where I have an aunt and uncle
who live there. It was a truly awesome event. Unfortunately, I have not
posted on these boards in several days because I have had some serious issues in my life, including a Heart condition diagnosed in 2007 when we lived in Ravenswood, West Virginia that caused fluid accumlation in my chest and body swelling, particulary in my feet. My family doctor in Pulaski, Tennessee recently put me on a double dose of Lasix(a diuretic) which has brought down most of my swelling and cleared most of the fluid out of my chest. I also have removed(for the most part) high sodium, high sugar and generally processed foods out of my diet and now eat primarily meat(preferably lean), plenty of vegetables, some fruit and 1 starch a day. My heatlh has made a huge turnaround in just a week or so since I started. My feet are basically normal size again and I can breath easy again and have much more energy to do my daily walk through our rural community. I feel good just to be alive at this moment and realize how important my relationships with my family and god are.

We went to see it in Spencer, Tennessee, where I have an aunt and uncle
who live there. It was a truly awesome event. Unfortunately, I have not
posted on these boards in several days because I have had some serious issues in my life, including a Heart condition diagnosed in 2007 when we lived in Ravenswood, West Virginia that caused fluid accumlation in my chest and body swelling, particulary in my feet. My family doctor in Pulaski, Tennessee recently put me on a double dose of Lasix(a diuretic) which has brought down most of my swelling and cleared most of the fluid out of my chest. I also have removed(for the most part) high sodium, high sugar and generally processed foods out of my diet and now eat primarily meat(preferably lean), plenty of vegetables, some fruit and 1 starch a day. My heatlh has made a huge turnaround in just a week or so since I started. My feet are basically normal size again and I can breath easy again and have much more energy to do my daily walk through our rural community. I feel good just to be alive at this moment and realize how important my relationships with my family and god are.

I'm praying for you!

I sure did! :thumbsup: Six oz Orange Soda with one shot of Dark Rum on the rocks. :D (I had to have it at my hotel as no adult beverages were allowed at the Lost Sea, rules are rules!) patriot:

Here's a little something I bet you'd never see, me quoting myself. :confused: The reason is simple, I shall never drink this or any other "adult beverage" for the rest of my life. Why? Because I had an EXTREME case of alcohol poisoning in February that almost killed me. I awoke in a hospital and was told my blood pressure and blood sugar amounts were in the stratosphere :eek: It wasn't until my discharge and return home when I found out I had chugged a three-liter bottle of Sangria and a 1.5 liter bottle of rum ALL AT ONCE! omg: I have no memory of doing this and yes, in my right mind I'd never do something like this. I may never know why I did this, but I will no longer consume alcoholic beverages. The only reason I'm alive is because a couple of friends stopped by my house to check on me. I was told I was laying on the kitchen floor, and I didn't respond. They called 911 and I was rushed to the hospital. I thank God they came when they did, and I owe them my life. This was a VERY close call, and I'm doing what I'm doing so this will never happen again. :thumbsdow

Sounds like you have been blessed with a second chance! Thank God for that! So say "So Long", to the booze! :) :wave:

Sounds like you have been blessed with a second chance! Thank God for that! So say "So Long", to the booze! :) :wave:

That I've done. I'm also attending sessions done by a group called "Celebrate Recovery". For Easter I washed my traditional meal (Ham with Au Gratin Potatoes) with sparkling grape juice. Mother's Day and Father's Day will be saluted with the same beverage. patriot:

:) Good for You! Keep Up The Good Work!!:wave: :) You Can Do It!:wave:

Here's a little something I bet you'd never see, me quoting myself. :confused: The reason is simple, I shall never drink this or any other "adult beverage" for the rest of my life. Why? Because I had an EXTREME case of alcohol poisoning in February that almost killed me. I awoke in a hospital and was told my blood pressure and blood sugar amounts were in the stratosphere :eek: It wasn't until my discharge and return home when I found out I had chugged a three-liter bottle of Sangria and a 1.5 liter bottle of rum ALL AT ONCE! I have no memory of doing this and yes, in my right mind I'd never do something like this. I may never know why I did this, but I will no longer consume alcoholic beverages. The only reason I'm alive is because a couple of friends stopped by my house to check on me. I was told I was laying on the kitchen floor, and I didn't respond. The called 911 and I was rushed to the hospital. I thank God they came when they did, and I owe them my life. This was a VERY close call, and I'm doing what I'm doing so this will never happen again. :thumbsdow

Thank you on your decision to stop drinking! And thank you for showing
concern over my health scare late last Summer.

Thank you on your decision to stop drinking! And thank you for showing
concern over my health scare late last Summer.

You're welcome.