For those NOT going to the eclipse

[MortonH]

Very interesting and entertaining to read about all the different equipment, preparations, travel plans, etc. Unfortunately circumstances prevent me from going to see my first total eclipse.

So, for anyone else out there that wishes they were going but can't, I share your pain!

And for everyone that is going, clear skies!!!

Morton

[MrB (Simon)]

I know the feeling.
I made plans for Ceduna in '02... plans went out the window.
Made plans for Cairns.... plans went out the window.

I'm lending my Astrotrac travel system to a friend, so even some of my gear will see the eclipse!

One day it WILL happen for me!

[mental4astro (Alexander)]

Eclipse 2028 here I come! Woohoo! It's gonna be right over my place!!! Will just need to travel a whole of 0.001m out my back door to see it!

[asimov (John)]

Reckon I'll make do with whatever I can get from Bundaberg.

[swannies1983 (Dan)]

Unfortunately, a lack of time and funds prohibit me going to the eclipse. I spent enough money going to the AFL Grand Final to see my Swans win the Premiership.

I was lucky enough to witness the 2002 eclipse on a cattle station in the middle of nowhere. Oh well, bring on 2028 and 2030

[MortonH]

I possibly could have made it this time but it would have been a big stretch, and the dodgy weather prospects put me off.

Am already looking foward to the USA in August 2017. Weather prospects very good as it's mid-summer, eclipse begins around 4:30pm and the altitude of the sun will be anything from 30-65 degress depending on where you are.

Morton

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

For those not going you can watch it streamed live here.
http://www.ustream.tv/cairnseclipse2012
IIS member Renato Langersek is organising this.

[carl37 (Carl)]

I got to "see" one in 1999 in Munich - I didn't get to see totality directly as it was behind clouds . I did get the lighting effect though!
As luck would have it I didn't plan it, but just happened to be there at the time.

If you're unable to travel overseas, the late 20s and 30s are the decades to look forward to.

Jul 22 2028 - The Kimberley to Sydney
Nov 25 2030 - Ceduna (again!!) to Southwest Queensland
July 13 2037 - From just north of Perth to Alice Springs to Brisbane
Dec 26 2038 - Port Headland'ish to north of Adelaide and northern Victoria


Future eclipses are predicted through to 2100 at the following site:
http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse.html

They have tables, maps and all sorts of information about solar and lunar eclipses.

[Astro_Bot]

Originally Posted by carl37

If you're unable to travel overseas, the late 20s and 30s are the decades to look forward to.

Actually, you only have to wait six months (!!) for another annular solar eclipse in Australia ... 10 May 2013 ... in better viewing circumstances, too, IMHO, though a bit further to drive for most.

http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEgoogl...10Agoogle.html

[Blue Skies (Jacquie)]

Originally Posted by MortonH

Am already looking foward to the USA in August 2017.

Yes! That's my plan as well, has been for a long time as I knew this one would be no good work-wise for me (and sure has turned out that way).

But I'm going to try and see the Sun rise partially eclipsed from my place instead, as last time we had that opportunity we were clouded out.

[gregbradley]

There's an annular eclipse next year in Nthern Territory.

Greg.

[Astroman (Andrew Wall)]

I am going to be in my backyeard with my three boys so they can watch the eclipse through my telescope and through solar glasses I got when I went to Ceduna in 2002

[MortonH]

Originally Posted by Blue Skies

Yes! That's my plan as well, has been for a long time as I knew this one would be no good work-wise for me (and sure has turned out that way).

But I'm going to try and see the Sun rise partially eclipsed from my place instead, as last time we had that opportunity we were clouded out.

Was researching the US eclipse the other night (to make myself feel better about missing this one!) and realised that the eclipse track doesn't go through any part of the US that I would normally want to visit (only been there once before so everything is still on my to-do list).

However, I also noticed that the track passes around 300km south of friends we have in Indiana. Great, I thought, just drive down for a couple of nights. Then I realised that this happens to be the point of greatest eclipse (around Hopkinsville, Kentucky). And the weather prospects here are around the best in the country too!

Only downside is that local hotels are putting their prices up by 500%. Reading various local news sites they reckon they should make as much as possible in the current financial climate. Can't blame them, I guess. We'll see how my own financial situation is nearer the time.

Didn't know about the 2028 eclipse until yesterday. Hope to be very much alive then so that's my backup!

Morton

[Irish stargazer (John)]

Would love to have been able to get to Cairns for this eclipse. I saw the eclipse in Turkey in 2005? and was blessed with clear skies for the event. Although it clouded out for the rest of the holiday an hour or so after the event. Blessed!
Good luck to all those making the pilgrimage. A friend of mine made the pilgrimage from Berlin via Sydney and is driving up in a camper van on behalf of IOTA.

[Blue Skies (Jacquie)]

Originally Posted by MortonH

Was researching the US eclipse the other night ...<snip>..
However, I also noticed that the track passes around 300km south of friends we have in Indiana. Great, I thought, just drive down for a couple of nights. Then I realised that this happens to be the point of greatest eclipse (around Hopkinsville, Kentucky). And the weather prospects here are around the best in the country too!

My sister lives in Michigan and I've already mentioned the event to her and she's interested in coming along for the ride. I'm not surprised to hear about the motel prices! I'll have my sisters 'local' knowledge to help me but I think its likely that we'll do a lot of driving to get in and out of the relevant area of choice and try to stay away from the path except on the day. But I'll also consider joining an organised tour for this one.

[Kunama]

Woke up early this morning to find Jindabyne area totally shrouded in heavy fog so I decided to do a 'dry run'. Usually when we have heavy fog at home, Perisher Valley is the nearest totally clear area (at 1730m altitude) and so it was again this morning, absolute gorgeous sunny start to the day. Although the drive was not without incidents, 7 skittish deer ran across the road in front of me as well as a dozen wallas, a hare all out feeding on the roadside.

For tomorrow I will be going to Mt Kosciuszko, at least if the weather is bad I can enjoy the atmosphere of the cool mountain air.

I was lucky enough to be at Mt Gambier, South Australia on 23 October 1976 to view my last total eclipse.
It is a day like no other in my memory banks so clear skies to all who have made the trip to FNQ.

[MortonH]

The way the weather is looking I might not bother setting my alarm

[Astroman (Andrew Wall)]

Geeze sorry to hear about the weather. Got fingers crossed here in Adelaide, so far clear skies and some high cloud

[lacad01 (Adam)]

Originally Posted by jjjnettie

For those not going you can watch it streamed live here.
http://www.ustream.tv/cairnseclipse2012
IIS member Renato Langersek is organising this.

Thanks for the link JJJ - hopefully will be clear skies tomorrow, was raining down here a bit earlier tonight...

[Miaplacidus (Brian)]

Got some reasonable views through some momentary gaps in the clouds here. No images, though.

I think everyone should pay me to stay away from eclipse sites. I'm a cloud magnet for those sorts of events.