79.2% Total Solar Eclipse - A Real Celestial Event Event Cache
Rapaladude: Thanks again to everyone who came out on a weekday! It was definitely worth it if you ask me. Thanks to everyone for all the different viewing methods as well! It was truly awesome.
See you at the next one!
Rapaladude ~ CAA4JN ~
79.2% Total Solar Eclipse - A Real Celestial Event
Hidden
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Monday, August 21, 2017
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This is a real celestial event! It may be difficult to get to GZ if you are in a wheelchair or use a cane to walk. You have to walk up a grass hill and it could be difficult. If anyone needs assistance, please let me know ahead of time and I would be happy to help.
I hope you can join me for this quite rare eclipse that will occur on Monday, August 21 2017. The maximum eclipse will occur at about 10:21 AM and will cause a noticeable darkening of our area.
Below is some information on eclipses.
Total Solar Eclipse
A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon completely blocks the Sun, revealing the Sun's beautiful outer atmosphere known as the corona. This is a rare, once-in-a-lifetime event for viewers in the United States. The last total solar eclipse visible in the continental United States occurred in 1979 and the next one will not take place until 2024. The path of totality will begin in the Pacific Ocean and travel through the center of the United States.
Here in California we unfortunately won't be able to see the total eclipse, however, we will be able to view an almost 80% solar eclipse.
There are multiple ways to safely view a solar eclipse. The pinhole projection method (Which I will be using), solar filters, and welder's goggles with a rating of 14 or higher. Without these methods, you cannot safely view this awesome event without severely damaging your eyes. Sunglasses are NOT an option as they offer little to no protection from directly viewing the sun.
The Pinhole Projection Method
This is how I will be "viewing" the eclipse. I put viewing in quotations because this method doesn't involve directly staring at the sun. There are fancy pinhole cameras you can make out of cardboard boxes, but a perfectly adequate (and portable) version can be made out of two thin but stiff pieces of white cardboard. (You can also use printer paper like I have in the past.) Punch a small clean pinhole in one piece of cardboard and let the sunlight fall through that hole onto the second piece of cardboard, which serves as a screen, held below it. An inverted image of the Sun is formed. To make the image larger, move the screen farther from the pinhole. To make the image brighter, move the screen closer to the pinhole. Do not make the pinhole wide or you will only have a shaft of sunlight rather than an image of the crescent Sun. Remember, this instrument is used with your back to the Sun. The sunlight passes over your shoulder, through the pinhole, and forms an image on the cardboard screen beneath it.
Do NOT look through the pinhole at the Sun.
During the minutes leading up to the eclipse, I can walk anyone who needs help, through the pinhole method. I've never personally used any other method to view an eclipse but you're welcome to bring another method with you. Please research as much as you can about your preferred viewing method as to not cause damage to your eyes. I have a few dead pixels and I can definitely say I wish I would have protected my eyes more.
This event will take place at Brooktree park as it has wide open spaces that are perfect for viewing the eclipse.
There are picnic tables nearby as well as a playground and sports fields. Feel free to bring a snack and something to keep hydrated.
This event will start at 9:40 AM and end at 11 AM. I hope to see you there!
Don't forget the trackables!
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
[Monday, August 21 2017 from 9:40 AM to 11 AM. Contact me via the Geocaching website's messaging feature or through email if you have any questions.]
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