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Even if you aren't under the path of totality, there are a couple very cool things to witness. I was in the last partial eclipse in SoCal and noticed the following:

1. It starts getting dark (of course) but it's "different".
2. It gets cooler in a hurry.
3. Because of the local temperature drop, the atmosphere rushes to fill in the contracting air mass - which means it'll get windy.
4. Probably the coolest thing was this. Walk under a tree and look at the shadows of the leaves. Instead of 1000s of little circles (the result of 1000s of "pinhole cameras" formed by the leaves) you'll see 1000s of crescent shapes on the ground.

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Midlana book: Build this mid-engine Locost!, http://midlana.com/stuff/book/
Kimini book: Designing mid-engine cars using FWD drivetrains
Both available from https://www.lulu.com/

#4 is by far the thing I remember the best from the eclipse in 1994 (?)

Cloudy here in southern Wisco!

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-Keith

Tree shadow in San Diego.

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Midlana book: Build this mid-engine Locost!, http://midlana.com/stuff/book/
Kimini book: Designing mid-engine cars using FWD drivetrains
Both available from https://www.lulu.com/

I'm using my fixed-tint welding helmet for viewing. My auto helmet is not easily darkened.

I used mine as well, had to crank the sensitivity up for it to darken.

_________________
Midlana book: Build this mid-engine Locost!, http://midlana.com/stuff/book/
Kimini book: Designing mid-engine cars using FWD drivetrains
Both available from https://www.lulu.com/

Eclipse through tree over front walkway today. We had 99.5% coverage.

Just returned from Oregon desert and Totality experience. Used a #13 old-school 4.5" square welder's glass for safe viewing of waxing and waning eclipse (w/o helmet.)
No eye protection needed for brief period of 100% totality. Absolutely awesome experience

'Twas my second, hope I'm around for more.

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Cheers, Tom

My Car9 build: viewtopic.php?f=35&t=14613
"It's the construction of the car-the sheer lunacy and joy of making diverse parts come together and work as one-that counts."
Ultima Spyder, Northstar 4.0, Porsche G50/52

Well, next one is in 7 years, but you'll need to head east. It's gonna start in Mexico, come up through Texas, and head to Maine!

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Mike - Read my story at http://twinlakesseven.blogspot.com/

The nearest place to me for "totality" during this last eclipse was Carbondale, IL. We thought about driving down for the event, but ended up not taking the 7+ hr trip each way for 2-1/2 minutes of "totality". (see below) Oddly enough, the next Eclipse in 7 years will also have "totality" in Carbondale, IL. Maybe we'll make that one.

We ended up looking at 87% coverage eclipse thru #13 welding glass too .

P.S. a day later we can still see just fine. Even though the welding glass was not "eclipse rated"

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Chuck.

“Any suspension will work if you don’t let it.” - Colin Chapman

Visit my ongoing MGB Rustoration log: over HERE

Or my Wankel powered Locost log : over HERE

And don't forget my Cushman Truckster resto Locostusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=36&t=17766

Summerville SC
Clouds 1, Moon 0



It began clouding up about 1pm, sun disappeared behind heavy cloud cover at 2:15, totality at 2:37, clouds cleared at 4

What was still cool was watching the shadow roll across the clouds from the horizon then disappear to the East as it passed. There were a couple of holes in the clouds where you could see the stars.

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Too much week, not enough weekend.

OOPS I did it again
http://www.locostusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=17496

Blood Sweat and Beers
http://www.locostusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=15216

I am so glad you mentioned the little circles under the trees. I was busy working outside and completely forgot about the eclipse but I did notice how cool the shadows on the floor were from the trees. So I guess I didn't miss it after all.

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2015 & 2016 EMod Florida State Autocross Champion
2013 & 2014 DSP Florida State Autocross Champion

Scrap Metal Build Log viewtopic.php?f=35&t=14558

I wanted to take the Locost up to Oregon, but it wouldn't carry enough. My new MGB-GT was just about right. Still would've been cool to have the Locost in this photo.

My gf and I live about 50 miles shy of totality, so we got up a 5* and checked out the I-5 traffic north from Eugene; it looked good so off we went. Took the 2nd exit into the umbra (Hwy 20 exit, just south of Albany), took the first two left turns (so we wouldn't have to cross traffic on the way out) and got the first spot by the exit at an Arco/AM/PM lot (and backed in so we wouldn't have to turn around when we split). A number of people had the same (clever them) idea, many who had driven up from California, lots of kids asleep in minivans, a very enthusiastic crowd.

After about an hour of buildup (the moon nibbling at the edge of the sun, then the day gradually got darker and shadows got weird) we got our minute and fifty seconds of total eclipse and my gosh it was AMAZING! My first (and likely last) total eclipse, and it is waaay different from watching it on TV and waaay different from a partial eclipse. When the sun was almost gone and one could see the twinkle of sunlight through the mountains and valleys of the moon I started getting really excited and then a fraction of a second later the sunlight went out and the corona lit up and it was indescribable so I won't try.

Two minutes later we were in the car and lit out for the freeway, partially so we could enjoy the experience of driving through the eerie light of the returning sun, but mostly so we could be on the leading edge of a couple hundred thousand folks headed south, and we were home in less than an hour. When we went up rises in the road, I could see the freeway clogging in my rear view mirror. Oh yes, and my gf loved it, and said I was very smart, and she was glad I'd dragged her along. Mind you, if it had been cloudy, she'd still be complaining, but the weather was perfect, and we didn't even get forest fire smoke like the people to the northeast at Solarfest.

I'm so glad I saw it in its full glory; seriously, I've been looking forward to this eclipse since 1955 (yep, I was one of those science kids), and it did not dissappoint.

*Did you know there are two 5 o'clocks every day? There's the one we all know about at the beginning of Happy Hour, but there's another one real early in the morning.

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Locost builder and adventurer, and founder (but no longer owner) of Kinetic Vehicles

I had the idea of flying into Portland airport, walking outside the terminal for 2 minutes, watch the eclipse, then walk back in and onto the next plane home. Didn't do it.

A few friends flew out to see it and came back very affected by the experience - in a good way of course. I need to see at least one myself... still bugged that I didn't know about this one until it was logistically too late.

_________________
Midlana book: Build this mid-engine Locost!, http://midlana.com/stuff/book/
Kimini book: Designing mid-engine cars using FWD drivetrains
Both available from https://www.lulu.com/

I loved this Solar Eclipse! I can't wait for the next Lunar Eclipse where the Sun hides the Moon.








It took my wife a few minutes.

Tom

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Sometimes, I'm as confused as a baby in a topless bar.

My short term memory is absolutely horrible and so is my short term memory.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sG16m2e4O6I