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Originally Posted by feistl
I do intend to watch with the naked eye for most of the event/the actual total eclipse, but during the lead up during the partial eclipse i was hoping to have a close up look using a telescope. It also seems like a good time to buy, as i can use it during the venus pass.
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A couple of comments. The first total eclipse one I saw was naked eye, which was awe-inspiring. The others I always had a set of binoculars with me for totality. A telescope is a waste of time imho as there is the weight to consider for up to 7 minutes of use versus bino's which obviously are just plain easy.
The objective for viewing during an eclipse isn't to observe the sun per se, but rather the corona, which most people never get to see. Because of advancements in solar viewing equipment, viewing prominences are more accessible to the masses. The corona is always overwhelmed by the sun itself, so this is the only time the layman can view it.
I use the binoculars to eek out some detail and only use them for the first half of totality using a stopwatch and alarm (it's amazing how time can get away from you when totality is occurring...). The reason I only view for the first half with bino's is two-fold. 1) to protect myself from directly viewing 3rd contact and 2) so I take half the time just "absorbing the moment". Using eclipse glasses (Baader film ones) is for viewing the sun up to and after totality, so I'd suggest you buy a set (cheap as chips). Buy them now though, every time there's an eclipse, the prices of those little things skyrocket.
As for the bino's, get or make solar filters for them as well so you can watch the progression of the partial phase. A sharp eye will be able to detect the surface relief of the moon. 7x50 are the best, light and easy to maintain on target and you can see a lot of the corona.
A good thing to try to look for just prior and just after totality are shadow bands, which I've only witnessed once because was standing on a flat white surface (Maracaibo Venezuela - 1998 @ 10.682765, -71.593373 if you are interested). Another cool effect is to listen... not for some kind of solar crack or nonsense like that, but listen to the wildlife. Watch and listen to birds, they change their song because of the change in darkness. I noticed that the seagulls landed during the eclipse and almost none were flying.
One thing I would suggest is to
NOT take camera gear until you get a couple under your belt. You will travel back to your house and then realized that you spent so much time concentrating on getting pictures, the whole event was anti-climatic and not as enjoyable as just opening up the peepers and watching the show.
OIC!