eclipse parties?

[alphamone]

I know it is early, but planning way ahead of time is good. I just want to know if anyone here is heading to china in july for the solar eclipse. I am currently planing to try and view it in wuhan in hubei province, but may go elsewhere if there is a group in a differant location.

I dont want to do one of those eclipse holidays as my holiday plans are all based around doing stuff after the eclipse, meaning I can't use up a whole lot of money beforehand.

I just dont want to be viewing in an area like shanghai where there will be lots of light polution, but will want to be somewhere where there will be lots of people viewing.

[seeker372011 (Narayan)]

I hope to be going but will be in a group and unfortunately it is planned to be at Hungzhou for the eclipse-along with hordes of other tours
narayan

[Wavytone]

... it's the air pollution you have to think about.

Often the pollution is so bad you can't see the sun even though technically its a "clear" day.

You need to be either far inland, well away from the major cities, or in Japan.

[alphamone]

the main problem with japan is that unless I go to one of the tiny okinawan islands, I will not be in the path of totality, while I am sure that there will be many groups in china for the eclipse, even if I need to go on a day trip away from a major city to see it decently.

I just wanted to know if there were any major gatherings that are not just made up of people doing a package holiday (which as I said, i will not be able to do)

[SMR (Steve)]

Hi

Originally Posted by Wavytone

... it's the air pollution you have to think about.

Often the pollution is so bad you can't see the sun even though technically its a "clear" day.

You need to be either far inland, well away from the major cities, or in Japan.

I don't think that this is good advice.

The coastal regions around Shanghai have the best weather prospects for this eclipse. The further inland you go, the more cloud you will likely have. There are a couple of inland high mountain sites that might be above the cloud, but they're difficult to get to.

Shanghai itself does not suffer from the same level of pollution that other major Chinese cities do, partly because of its proximity to the ocean. I was in Shanghai in July/August last year for the 2008 eclipse, and the visibility was good in the morning.

Yes, the weather prospects are somewhat better for the eastern Japanese islands such as Iwo Jima, but they are not open for eclipse trips (long story as to why ...). Mainland Japan is well outside of the eclipse path.

Cheers,
Steve.