# Great American Solar Eclipse of 2017 **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 22, 2016, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-american-solar-eclipse-of-2017/763657 "2016-08-22T18:56:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2017, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-american-solar-eclipse-of-2017/763657/121 "2017-05-22T17:44:40Z")
> [@commasense](#): > > Even though … I’ll probably shoot pix and video of our party and events around the eclipse, I don’t intend to shoot totality itself. I just want to experience the eclipse, and not be messing around with equipment during this special two and a half minutes. I took this attitude too last year. It was awesome. This year I’m going to try and get some photos but I’ll be using a tripod and a remote release for the camera so I get the best of both worlds. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2017, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-american-solar-eclipse-of-2017/763657/122 "2017-05-23T04:26:59Z")
This will be my first total eclipse, too. I’m excited! ---
**Author:** ![That\_Don\_Guy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/that_don_guy/32/538_2.png) [@That\_Don\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/That_Don_Guy)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2017, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-american-solar-eclipse-of-2017/763657/123 "2017-05-24T19:44:02Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > On a less happy note, a woman who was waiting in line for the theater door to open said that at least one Oregon motel, when the owners found out why so many people were making reservations for that day, cancelled them and told them they could have their rooms back IF they paid the new going rate, which was about $1,000 a night. :mad: :smack: Someone else advised that this motel be reported to the Oregon Attorney General; she intended to pass that information on to some people who could use it. [Apparently, it’s not just one, and the defense seems to be, “Well, everybody else is doing the same thing.”](http://www.oregonlive.com/travel/index.ssf/2017/04/oregon_hotels_unapologetic_sil.html) ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2017, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-american-solar-eclipse-of-2017/763657/124 "2017-05-24T19:57:05Z")
I’m finishing up the camera power supplies and clock drive control circuit. Should have everything ready to test next week. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2017, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-american-solar-eclipse-of-2017/763657/125 "2017-05-24T20:51:42Z")
With regards to cameras, I need a better one than I had last year and I’ve been recommended the Canon EOS M3. I’ll need an extra battery pack but I’ll take the default lens. ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2017, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-american-solar-eclipse-of-2017/763657/126 "2017-05-24T22:14:12Z")
Just found out that participants of [Cycle Greater Yellowstone](https://www.cyclegreateryellowstone.com/) will be getting a pair of eclipse glasses. As mentioned upthread day 2 of the tour will be in Driggs, ID (a top 10 spot to see the eclipse) I’m excited. Brian ---
**Author:** ![Noel\_Prosequi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b19c9b/32.png) [@Noel\_Prosequi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Noel_Prosequi)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2017, 8:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-american-solar-eclipse-of-2017/763657/127 "2017-05-25T08:18:59Z")
I am stoked about this! Travelling from Oz to US to see the thing, although I have seen one before (at Port Douglas in 2012). We’re going to St Joseph MO. Got accom. Spending a total of about 6-7 weeks in the US to make it worthwhile even if it is overcast. Woo frickity hoo! ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2017, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-american-solar-eclipse-of-2017/763657/128 "2017-05-25T18:05:05Z")
> [@Noel\_Prosequi](#): > > I am stoked about this! Travelling from Oz to US to see the thing, although I have seen one before (at Port Douglas in 2012). > > We’re going to St Joseph MO. Got accom. Me, too! I’ll keep my eyes open for you. I’m the middle-aged guy with white hair. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2017, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-american-solar-eclipse-of-2017/763657/129 "2017-05-25T19:07:20Z")
> [@commasense](#): > > Me, too! I’ll keep my eyes open for you. I’m the middle-aged guy with white hair. Keep your eyes open before or after, because it’ll be a bit dark during. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2017, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-american-solar-eclipse-of-2017/763657/130 "2017-05-25T21:56:52Z")
Anyone else going to Nebraska? I’ll be in Beatrice, most likely, if the weather is sunny. ---
**Author:** ![Noel\_Prosequi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b19c9b/32.png) [@Noel\_Prosequi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Noel_Prosequi)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2017, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-american-solar-eclipse-of-2017/763657/131 "2017-05-28T15:41:10Z")
> [@commasense](#): > > Me, too! I’ll keep my eyes open for you. I’m the middle-aged guy with white hair. I’m the middle aged guy with hair that is probably just a gesture to the concept. We can’t possibly miss each other!😃 ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2017, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-american-solar-eclipse-of-2017/763657/132 "2017-06-02T13:14:47Z")
To view the eclipse, we need to find a cloud-free area. Are there any suggested sites that give good info on cloud cover? ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2017, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-american-solar-eclipse-of-2017/763657/133 "2017-06-02T13:59:03Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > With regards to cameras, I need a better one than I had last year and I’ve been recommended the Canon EOS M3. I’ll need an extra battery pack but I’ll take the default lens. Well, I’ve splurged for a catadioptic (i.e. mirror) 500mm lens. It was only £100. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2017, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-american-solar-eclipse-of-2017/763657/134 "2017-06-02T14:46:16Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > To view the eclipse, we need to find a cloud-free area. Are there any suggested sites that give good info on cloud cover? > **[Total Solar Eclipse 2017 - Eclipse 2017 cloud cover charts](https://eclipse2024.org/2017eclipse/2017/weather/2017_clouds.htm)** > > Tons of Information about the total solar eclipse in the USA on August 21 2017! ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2017, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-american-solar-eclipse-of-2017/763657/135 "2017-06-02T18:56:52Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > [Total Solar Eclipse 2017 - Eclipse 2017 cloud cover charts](http://www.eclipse2017.org/2017/weather/2017_clouds.htm) And I see they still haven’t fixed the colors. Probably don’t know how to. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2017, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-american-solar-eclipse-of-2017/763657/136 "2017-06-03T01:12:08Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > And I see they still haven’t fixed the colors. Probably don’t know how to. I submitted that request quite some time ago. Still unintuitive (sigh). Oh well. And thanks, **beowulff** , I’d forgotten about that page. As eclipse day approaches, I guess I’ll be checking the usual weather sites to pick a location spot. I’ve mapped a broad, 900-mile swath of totality, between Madras OR to the west and Teton City WY to the east. It covers the entire width of Idaho. I hope I won’t have to drive more than 2-3 hours on eclipse morning! ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2017, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-american-solar-eclipse-of-2017/763657/137 "2017-06-03T01:26:48Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > To view the eclipse, we need to find a cloud-free area. Are there any suggested sites that give good info on cloud cover? The experts are heading in the general direction of Grand Island, Nebraska. They chose that area because of weather patterns, length of totality, available amenities, etc. although they are willing to do some wiggle room if weather interferes. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2017, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-american-solar-eclipse-of-2017/763657/138 "2017-06-03T01:38:34Z")
Oregon Parks retained 30 campsites and auctioned them off. They averaged $2000 each for them. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2017, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-american-solar-eclipse-of-2017/763657/139 "2017-06-03T02:15:51Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > The experts are heading in the general direction of Grand Island, Nebraska. They chose that area because of weather patterns, length of totality, available amenities, etc. although they are willing to do some wiggle room if weather interferes. I was looking for weather info. Grand Island, unfortunately, is too far from San Francisco. Driving, that is. I’m looking to travel frugally. And this… this is insanity! > [@Chefguy](#): > > Oregon Parks retained 30 campsites and auctioned them off. They averaged $2000 each for them. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2017, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-american-solar-eclipse-of-2017/763657/140 "2017-07-14T23:41:32Z")
Only one month to go before the show! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-american-solar-eclipse-of-2017/763657.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-american-solar-eclipse-of-2017/763657.md?page=8)