# 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:** 3
**Author:** ![Cunctator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/43a26b/32.png) [@Cunctator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cunctator)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2009, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/total-solar-eclipse-or-sometimes-i-hate-my-job/503102/41 "2009-07-18T01:41:22Z")
> [@Lute Skywatcher](#): > > **Guy** , try aiming to be in northern Australia on 13 November 2012. Or Easter Island on 11 July next year. That should be eerie. ---
**Author:** ![RandMcnally](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b782af/32.png) [@RandMcnally](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RandMcnally)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2009, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/total-solar-eclipse-or-sometimes-i-hate-my-job/503102/42 "2009-07-18T01:49:22Z")
My astronomy professor ditched class (he got a sub) for this week and next week in order to fly to China for this eclipse. I think I’m going to sacrifice a goat in order for him to have good weather. ---
**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 18, 2009, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/total-solar-eclipse-or-sometimes-i-hate-my-job/503102/43 "2009-07-18T01:51:34Z")
> [@RandMcnally](#): > > My astronomy professor ditched class (he got a sub) for this week and next week in order to fly to China for this eclipse. I think I’m going to sacrifice a goat in order for him to have good weather. I think that only works for astrology professors. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2009, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/total-solar-eclipse-or-sometimes-i-hate-my-job/503102/44 "2009-07-18T12:31:58Z")
**China Guy** –repeat after me: “I have a sprained ankle, I cannot travel or come into work today”. Do you know how to work a telephone? If the answer is “yes”, well…btw, do not use the Swine Flu excuse, as you might actually get it someday, & you cannot contract it twice. Eyebrows would be raised. ---
**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 18, 2009, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/total-solar-eclipse-or-sometimes-i-hate-my-job/503102/45 "2009-07-18T13:13:38Z")
man, I have to get on that damn plane tomorrow. 24 hour transit time in the back of the bus too. And I have to work on the plane for at least 5 hours. ☹ Actually, I’m a little worried about my kids. We’re going to keep them home and my wife may then carefully let them out for a few minutes during the total eclipse. After researching on the net, the big issue with a not quite 100% eclipse is that your pupils are expanded and the sunlight will very quickly burn your retna. It’s completely different from being outside on a sunny day with constricted pupils and glancing at the sun. Something like 10 seconds can do permanent damage. ---
**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 18, 2009, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/total-solar-eclipse-or-sometimes-i-hate-my-job/503102/46 "2009-07-18T14:43:38Z")
Not if your kids are wearing one of [these!](http://www.lakewoodconferences.com/direct/dbimage/50072468/Auto_Darkening_Welding_Helmet.jpg) ---
**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:** [July 18, 2009, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/total-solar-eclipse-or-sometimes-i-hate-my-job/503102/47 "2009-07-18T23:26:24Z")
> [@Darryl\_Lict](#): > > That sucks, a total eclipse of the sun is the most spectacular natural phenomena that I’ve experienced. However, as far as I can tell, the maximum totality (which is all that counts, really) of the [China eclipse](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_eclipse_of_July_22,_2009) is 6 minutes and 39 seconds, where as the one I saw in [Baja](http://www.astropix.com/HTML/L_STORY/BAJA91.HTM) on July 11, 1991 was 6 minutes and 52 seconds so neener, neener, neener. Yes, that was the “Big One.” I saw it from Hawaii, and it was spectacular! It was, overall, a very cloudy day, but there was a break in the clouds for the “diamond ring” effect and part of totality. I saw a better one (but with a shorter totality) in February 1998, on the island of Guadeloupe. Totally clear skies from first contact through last. I took a photo at regular intervals, then combined them with Photoshop. ---
**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 19, 2009, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/total-solar-eclipse-or-sometimes-i-hate-my-job/503102/48 "2009-07-19T04:39:58Z")
Sheesh! The local press is speculating, in all seriousness, that the eclipse could be heralding another military coup. For example, see [here](http://www.nationmultimedia.com/search/read.php?newsid=30107661&keyword=Thanong). I assure you, this is not tongue-in-cheek; this particular writer, an editor at the newspaper, is always going off on astrological tangents. No doubt everyone will be on alert for a week or so. ---
**Author:** ![Cunctator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/43a26b/32.png) [@Cunctator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cunctator)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2009, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/total-solar-eclipse-or-sometimes-i-hate-my-job/503102/49 "2009-07-22T02:05:05Z")
The eclipse has well and truly started. Did you end up going on your business trip **China Guy** , or did you have a sudden ‘illness’? ---
**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 22, 2009, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/total-solar-eclipse-or-sometimes-i-hate-my-job/503102/50 "2009-07-22T02:31:56Z")
Supposed to be partial here, but it’s all gray and overcast. They really ought not to schedule these things during the rainy season! ---
**Author:** ![Cunctator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/43a26b/32.png) [@Cunctator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cunctator)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2009, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/total-solar-eclipse-or-sometimes-i-hate-my-job/503102/51 "2009-07-22T03:04:52Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > Supposed to be partial here, but it’s all gray and overcast. They really ought not to schedule these things during the rainy season! It’s not visible here at all. So naturally the sky is completely clear and the sun is blazing away on an unseasonably warm winter’s day (24C). ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2009, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/total-solar-eclipse-or-sometimes-i-hate-my-job/503102/52 "2009-07-22T05:48:46Z")
We had an annular in 1991, the end of whose path just touched the coast of Southern California, but it was on New Year’s Day. People who don’t know the area have no idea about how the beaches are probably more often overcast than not, except for a few of the hottest months. It was a sad scene. Crowds of people had turned out on the Pacific Palisades bluffs, but it was late afternoon and the skies got grayer and grayer. Vendors of goggles and shadow boxes still worked the crowd resolutely, without any indication at all that anyone would need their wares. The wine was quite tasty that evening. ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2009, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/total-solar-eclipse-or-sometimes-i-hate-my-job/503102/53 "2009-07-22T05:56:04Z")
Very noticeable dimming of natural light can be seen even if you are only in the good partial zone (say \>50% occultation). You look outside and it looks like a cloudy day–until you notice that objects on the ground have clearly defined shadows because it is, after all, still clear and sunny out. ---
**Author:** ![Isamu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/7c8e57/32.png) [@Isamu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isamu)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2009, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/total-solar-eclipse-or-sometimes-i-hate-my-job/503102/54 "2009-07-22T06:16:44Z")
Well, I just saw the eclipse a couple of hours ago. Being in Osaka, we weren’t in the absolute best geographical location, but not too bad either. The only problem was that today was very overcast here, so we couldn’t see it clearly, just as a shadow through the clouds. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2009, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/total-solar-eclipse-or-sometimes-i-hate-my-job/503102/55 "2009-07-22T13:30:59Z")
> [@dwc1970](#): > > Where can I check to see when future solar eclipses will occur? > > The only time a total eclipse (well, 98% totality) was in my area (Boise, Idaho) was February 25, 1979. Since that date is my birthday I remember the date (I turned 9 that day). We were in school and we watched it on TV. We obviously weren’t going to go outside and look at it ourselves because of the possible retinal danger, but even if we did we wouldn’t have been able to see it since it was raining that day. It was weird to see it get dark after the sun had only been up for a couple hours, as it occurred in the morning. > [@dwc1970](#): > > Never mind, [found one](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_solar_eclipses): [Here’s a map.](http://www.hermit.org/eclipse/Graphics/maps/SEatlas2001.png) ---
**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 22, 2009, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/total-solar-eclipse-or-sometimes-i-hate-my-job/503102/56 "2009-07-22T13:48:43Z")
it rained all day and was a non event in shanghai ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2009, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/total-solar-eclipse-or-sometimes-i-hate-my-job/503102/57 "2009-07-22T17:20:09Z")
Sweet, sweet. That 2017 will pass right over me. I’m gonna go stand outside now and wait. ---
**Author:** ![thirdname](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d07c76/32.png) [@thirdname](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thirdname)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2009, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/total-solar-eclipse-or-sometimes-i-hate-my-job/503102/58 "2009-07-22T19:38:55Z")
I missed an eclipse (I think it was total) when I was in the 5th grade because they wouldn’t let us outside. ---
**Author:** ![Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Swallowed_My_Cellphone)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2009, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/total-solar-eclipse-or-sometimes-i-hate-my-job/503102/59 "2009-07-22T19:54:55Z")
> [@China\_Guy](#): > > After researching on the net, the big issue with a not quite 100% eclipse is that your pupils are expanded and the sunlight will very quickly burn your retna. It’s completely different from being outside on a sunny day with constricted pupils and glancing at the sun. Something like 10 seconds can do permanent damage. During the 1999 (I think) eclipse I was dating an uber-hot chick\* who worked as a receptionist at an optometrist’s office. Their office went crazy the day after the eclipse (their office was in a mall) because a ridiculous number of people were just showing up with damaged eyes from having watched the eclipse for several minutes. ETA: Thta year I tried building a pinhole camera to watch it, but it sucked. - Really! She really was! Joyous was me! ---
**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:** [July 23, 2009, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/total-solar-eclipse-or-sometimes-i-hate-my-job/503102/60 "2009-07-23T00:13:34Z")
When I was on the island of Guadeloupe for the 1998 eclipse, they were telling the kids to stay inside all day, with the curtains drawn, or their eyeballs would melt. So most of the kids never got to see it. And by the way, it’s 100% safe to look at an eclipse during totality, when you’re not actually seeing any part of the sun itself, only the corona. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/total-solar-eclipse-or-sometimes-i-hate-my-job/503102.md?page=2)