# total solar eclipse or sometimes I hate my job **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 15, 2009, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/total-solar-eclipse-or-sometimes-i-hate-my-job/503102 "2009-07-15T12:53:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/le_ministre_de_l_au-dela/32/12181_2.png) [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Le_Ministre_de_l_au-dela)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2009, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/total-solar-eclipse-or-sometimes-i-hate-my-job/503102/21 "2009-07-15T19:18:20Z")
I don’t advise you to take some ipecac five minutes before going in to see your boss on the day before your flight. That wouldn’t be right. ---
**Author:** ![Cunctator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/43a26b/32.png) [@Cunctator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cunctator)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2009, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/total-solar-eclipse-or-sometimes-i-hate-my-job/503102/22 "2009-07-15T22:32:05Z")
> [@dwc1970](#): > > Where can I check to see when future solar eclipses will occur? [This site](http://www.eclipse.org.uk/eclbin/query_usno.cgi) is very useful. I have to wait until 22 July 2028 to see a total solar eclipse. ---
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2009, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/total-solar-eclipse-or-sometimes-i-hate-my-job/503102/23 "2009-07-16T00:51:44Z")
> [@StGermain](#): > > Get yourself a nice case of the flu. I’ll go and then on the return flight some scrotenugget will have a fever from H1N1 and all passengers will have 2 week quarantine. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2009, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/total-solar-eclipse-or-sometimes-i-hate-my-job/503102/24 "2009-07-16T01:00:47Z")
Well, maybe this will make you feel better. I had a job with a good company, but the literally crazy boss drove me and half the other people away. Its pretty bad when you are worried the boss might frame you with drugs in your car or god knows what else… Anyway, one of my dreams was to go to Antarctica one day. Damn, if a few years later , the very group I worked for went down there to do some research ! ---
**Author:** ![Rigamarole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2009, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/total-solar-eclipse-or-sometimes-i-hate-my-job/503102/25 "2009-07-16T01:52:27Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > I’ve seen partial and total, but I always thought even the total ones were not safe to look at directly. (My eyes are already bad enough that I’m not about to take any chances.) [NASA advises](http://stereo.gsfc.nasa.gov/classroom/eclipse.shtml) not to look directly at any eclipse, even total. If I ever happen into the path of a total though I think I’ll take my chances, because I’m a maverick like that. ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2009, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/total-solar-eclipse-or-sometimes-i-hate-my-job/503102/26 "2009-07-16T02:20:30Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > [Try this](http://www.sadtrombone.com/) My new favorite bookmark. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2009, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/total-solar-eclipse-or-sometimes-i-hate-my-job/503102/27 "2009-07-16T03:17:04Z")
> [@Rigamarole](#): > > [NASA advises](http://stereo.gsfc.nasa.gov/classroom/eclipse.shtml) not to look directly at any eclipse, even total. [This NASA page](http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEhelp/safety2.html) says it’s safe: > [@](#): > > The only time that the Sun can be viewed safely with the naked eye is during a total eclipse, when the Moon completely covers the disk of the Sun. It is never safe to look at a partial or annular eclipse, or the partial phases of a total solar eclipse, without the proper equipment and techniques. ---
**Author:** ![Rigamarole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2009, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/total-solar-eclipse-or-sometimes-i-hate-my-job/503102/28 "2009-07-16T03:29:08Z")
> [@scr4](#): > > [This NASA page](http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEhelp/safety2.html) says it’s safe: Weird. They contradict themselves… the part I was looking at (from my link) is where it says: > [@](#): > > To observe the Sun or an eclipse of the sun, whether a total, partial, annular, or hybrid eclipse, special equipment is needed, such as solar viewing glasses or a pinhole camera. A pinhole camera can be easily assembled. Either way I was willing to risk it, and that’s what counts. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![EvilTOJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee59a6/32.png) [@EvilTOJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EvilTOJ)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2009, 8:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/total-solar-eclipse-or-sometimes-i-hate-my-job/503102/29 "2009-07-16T08:45:22Z")
Woohoo when the world ends on May 21 2012 I’ll have an excellent view of the nearly-total eclipse! ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2009, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/total-solar-eclipse-or-sometimes-i-hate-my-job/503102/30 "2009-07-16T15:12:22Z")
> [@Rigamarole](#): > > Weird. They contradict themselves… I wouldn’t expect NASA to have an official position on something like this. They’re not in the business of setting consumer regulations and guidelines. As far as I know, the only danger is that if you tell someone it’s OK to stare at the total eclipse with their naked eyes, they may inadvertently stare at the _almost_ total eclipse. ---
**Author:** ![dwc1970](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a183cd/32.png) [@dwc1970](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dwc1970)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2009, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/total-solar-eclipse-or-sometimes-i-hate-my-job/503102/31 "2009-07-16T17:13:08Z")
> [@cmyk](#): > > [You’re in luck for 2017, then.](http://www.hermit.org/eclipse/2017-08-21/) It’s practically cutting through your back yard. I have to drive a few hundred miles down to Kentucky (or Illinois). At least there is a lesser chance of seeing rain and overcast skies around here in August than in February. It’s also on a Monday, however, which means I will likely be at work, unless I remember to ask for the day off ahead of time. Thanks to **Cunctator** for the other link. I especially like the animations on it. ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2009, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/total-solar-eclipse-or-sometimes-i-hate-my-job/503102/32 "2009-07-16T17:21:02Z")
> [@dwc1970](#): > > At least there is a lesser chance of seeing rain and overcast skies around here in August than in February. > > It’s also on a Monday, however, which means I will likely be at work, unless I remember to ask for the day off ahead of time. > > Thanks to **Cunctator** for the other link. I especially like the animations on it. That was my thought as well. In fact, if I can, I’ll travel to wherever the weather is the driest/clearest overall, which is probably out more your way. But maximum totality is in Kentucky. We’ll have to see. I’d like to see you submit for the time off _now._ Report back with their reaction. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2009, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/total-solar-eclipse-or-sometimes-i-hate-my-job/503102/33 "2009-07-17T03:11:34Z")
> [@Rigamarole](#): > > [NASA advises](http://stereo.gsfc.nasa.gov/classroom/eclipse.shtml) not to look directly at any eclipse, even total. If I ever happen into the path of a total though I think I’ll take my chances, because I’m a maverick like that. Eyesight is something I would never, ever want to take a chance with. ---
**Author:** ![DooWahDiddy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e9bcb4/32.png) [@DooWahDiddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DooWahDiddy)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2009, 7:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/total-solar-eclipse-or-sometimes-i-hate-my-job/503102/34 "2009-07-17T07:21:42Z")
> [@EvilTOJ](#): > > Woohoo when the world ends on May 21 2012 I’ll have an excellent view of the nearly-total eclipse! I thought it was ending on December 21? I need those extra seven months to tie up my loose ends… ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2009, 8:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/total-solar-eclipse-or-sometimes-i-hate-my-job/503102/35 "2009-07-17T08:31:27Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > Eyesight is something I would never, ever want to take a chance with. AFAIK, looking at a TOTAL eclipse with the old eyeball is perfectly kosher, WHILE it is in TOTAL eclipse phase (I’d actually consider betting my life on this fact). When part of the sun isnt blocked, yeah, you dont want to STARE at it, or even continue to look at it (particularly with optical instrumentation). But, common, I mean, how often have you accidently looked up in the sky on any random day and glimpsed the full burning uneclipsed glorious disk of ole sol ? If the sun was THAT bad half the world would be blind before middle age. ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2009, 9:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/total-solar-eclipse-or-sometimes-i-hate-my-job/503102/36 "2009-07-17T09:06:14Z")
I waited thirty years for August 11 1999 and the first English total eclipse in my lifetime. Up early (after dreaming I’d got up too late) and down to Devon under thickening cloud, and it was ten-tenths by the time I got there. :smack: But it thinned _just_ enough to get a filtered view of what was going on, while further up the shadow-track in Cornwall it was raining, so half a loaf and all that. ---
**Author:** ![dwc1970](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a183cd/32.png) [@dwc1970](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dwc1970)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2009, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/total-solar-eclipse-or-sometimes-i-hate-my-job/503102/37 "2009-07-17T15:16:21Z")
> [@billfish678](#): > > AFAIK, looking at a TOTAL eclipse with the old eyeball is perfectly kosher, WHILE it is in TOTAL eclipse phase (I’d actually consider betting my life on this fact). When part of the sun isnt blocked, yeah, you dont want to STARE at it, or even continue to look at it (particularly with optical instrumentation). But, common, I mean, how often have you accidently looked up in the sky on any random day and glimpsed the full burning uneclipsed glorious disk of ole sol ? If the sun was THAT bad half the world would be blind before middle age. With all the times I have had to drive with the sun smack dab in my field of vision at sunrise and sunset (where the visor does no good at all), I’d have gone blind by now if looking at the sun on a normal day would cause blindness. I have to use my hand to block the light. My understanding is that because of the stark contrast between the moon’s black disk and the sun’s light that this makes for an especially dangerous situation for one’s eyes, unlike a normal sky with the sun against the azure of the daytime sky. ---
**Author:** ![even\_sven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2009, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/total-solar-eclipse-or-sometimes-i-hate-my-job/503102/38 "2009-07-17T15:27:00Z")
I’ll be back in Sichuan just in time for the eclipse. Since there are only about 30 sunny days a year in the area, I’m sure I’m not going to see much more than clouds. Sichuan has got to have the worst skies on the planet. My mom, however, is going to luck out, waiting for her plane home in Shanghai. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2009, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/total-solar-eclipse-or-sometimes-i-hate-my-job/503102/39 "2009-07-17T16:36:27Z")
> [@dwc1970](#): > > . > > My understanding is that because of the stark contrast between the moon’s black disk and the sun’s light that this makes for an especially dangerous situation for one’s eyes, unlike a normal sky with the sun against the azure of the daytime sky. That is somewhat of a factor when the eclipse in the PARTIAL phase and you got a sliver of the sun still visible, but IMO its more a compounding factor than “its makes it extremely more dangerous” The dangerous part is people actually being stupid enough to stare at something that is still blindingly bright. You’d get the same result of people purposely staring at the sun during normal times, which most people with half a brain never do. And for anyone being NEAR the path of a total eclipse, remember you NEED to be ON the path to really get the glory, being close will not cut it. Sometimes those paths are only a few miles wide, and IIRC they often in the range of about 50 miles or so wide. So, if a total eclipse is going to happen near you, make sure you find out WHERE to go to get darn close to the centerline of the path. And then, by hook or crook or whatever, drag your behind there to see it ! ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2009, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/total-solar-eclipse-or-sometimes-i-hate-my-job/503102/40 "2009-07-17T16:43:38Z")
I’ve seen three total eclipses (1999, 2001, 2002), and I can’t understand how anyone could NOT find them utterly gobsmacking. I’m a confirmed atheist, and watching them was pretty much a “religious experience”. Even a 99.9% partial eclipse sucks totally (no pun), by the way. With a total eclipse you can stare right at it and it’s like a black hole has opened up in the sky and you’re looking right through it into the depths of the universe. Or something. Certainly it’s utterly neat. Ditch the business trip, dude. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/total-solar-eclipse-or-sometimes-i-hate-my-job/503102.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/total-solar-eclipse-or-sometimes-i-hate-my-job/503102.md?page=3)