# USA TSE, total solar eclipse: April 2024 (was "three years away for USA" when started) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 27, 2021, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873 "2021-03-27T21:36:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 14
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2024, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/261 "2024-02-18T05:41:37Z")
I appreciate this perspective, thank you. I have never experienced a TSE. I am fearful of overcast in my area at that time of year. It’s more than 50% likely on that date and will really, really piss me off. But it now makes me wonder whether a TSE with overcast skies, though visually a much lesser spectacular thing, might still be something worthwhile? ---
**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:** [February 18, 2024, 10:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/262 "2024-02-18T10:13:12Z")
I say yes, it is worth it. I’ve only been to one TSE and one annular, but… Part of the experience includes seeing how bright your surroundings are even when the sun is blocked 75%, 80%, 90%. With cloud cover you’ll still see that but you won’t be able to tell how blocked the sun is. So have with you the info from, e.g., here: > **[Mexico - USA - 2024 April 8 Total Solar Eclipse - Interactive Google Map -...](http://xjubier.free.fr/en/site_pages/solar_eclipses/TSE_2024_GoogleMapFull.html)** > > 2024 April 8 Total Solar Eclipse in Mexico, the USA or Canada by Xavier Jubier Tap on your location in this map. If, e.g., you’ll be in Indianapolis, the eclipse start and end info is this: | Event (ΔT=69.1s; alt.=221m) | Date | Time (UT) | Alt | Azi | P | V | [LC] | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Start of partial | | | | | | | | | eclipse (C1): | 2024/04/08 | 17:50:36.4 | +57.8° | 182.1° | 229° | 04.3 | | | Start of total eclipse (C2): | 2024/04/08 | 19:06:06.1 | +53.2° | 214.4° | 033° | 11.8 | -0.2s | | Maximum eclipse (MAX): | 2024/04/08 | 19:08:01.2 | +53.0° | 215.1° | 141° | 08.2 | | | End of total eclipse (C3): | 2024/04/08 | 19:09:56.1 | +52.8° | 215.8° | 249° | 04.6 | -2.9s | | End of partial eclipse (C4): | 2024/04/08 | 20:23:14.8 | +42.4° | 238.2° | 053° | 11.6 | | You’ll have to convert to local times and have an accurate time piece (a smart phone is enough or you can check **[https://time.gov](https://time.gov)**. The other aspect of the experience you’ll get even with overcast skies is the animals. As totality approaches you’ll notice some of behavior. For me in Idaho in August 2017, I remember the sounds of cattle lowing, and the sights of flocks of birds circling in the sky. But the most dramatic part of the experience is that just before totality starts, the temperature dropped about 10 degrees. But you have to be fully in the path of totality. Not so much on the fringes of the path. Get close to path center. I think it’s well worth it ---
**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:** [February 18, 2024, 10:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/263 "2024-02-18T10:17:14Z")
Also, for the annular eclipse last October, when the sun was mostly blocked it was amazing how our surroundings were not that dark. I did not notice any marked dimming of the surrounding landscape. That’s pretty incredible. Here’s one of the shots my brother got. [![](https://i.imgur.com/qzceHwc.jpeg) ](https://i.imgur.com/qzceHwc.jpeg) So, even at the height of annularity the earth was still pretty well lit by the blocked sun. ---
**Author:** ![Mark\_Finn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/34f0e0/32.png) [@Mark\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mark_Finn)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2024, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/264 "2024-02-18T13:27:45Z")
From my balcony in Montreal, I’ll have almost two minutes of totality. It’s not worth the 75-minute drive to the Price Chopper parking lot in Plattsburgh NY to get an extra two minutes. ---
**Author:** ![Ruken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f475e1/32.png) [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2024, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/265 "2024-02-18T18:16:57Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > Also, for the annular eclipse last October, when the sun was mostly blocked it was amazing how our surroundings were not that dark. I was surprised by this too. The only real indication was weird shadows. ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2024, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/266 "2024-02-18T21:24:06Z")
The human visual system has an amazing capacity to adjust to a wide range of light levels. The illuminance on a bright sunny day can be over 100,000 lux, while the illuminance on a cloudy day can be as little as 10 lux. But we don’t perceive a cloudy day as anywhere near 10,000 times dimmer than a sunny day. That’s part of the reason why partial eclipses are so underwhelming compared to total eclipses. ---
**Author:** ![Zyada](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zyada/32/3028_2.png) [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2024, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/267 "2024-02-18T22:23:48Z")
If I had the intestinal fortitude, I’d go to [Enchanted Rock](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enchanted_Rock). If the weather cooperates, that’s going to be a party ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2024, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/268 "2024-02-18T22:36:56Z")
Enchanted Rock isn’t _that_ difficult a climb. Just take it a bit slow if you’re not in the greatest shape The hike around the base is pretty nice, too, if you’ve the time for it ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2024, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/269 "2024-02-18T22:48:18Z")
I remember 2017 and it wasn’t until just before totality that I noticed any change in the surroundings. it’s amazing how little surface is needed to keep things lit up. ---
**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:** [February 18, 2024, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/270 "2024-02-18T23:20:10Z")
Same here. But, see @markn_1 ’s post about 3 or 4 back. I’m pretty sure that’s what happened to us. ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2024, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/271 "2024-02-19T03:47:25Z")
Ah, I didn’t quite finish my train of thought here. So if the sun is even as much as 99% covered, that takes the brightness down from 100,000 lux to 1000 lux. That’s still 100 times brighter than a very cloudy day. So no wonder we don’t really notice much diminution of brightness in a partial eclipse. ---
**Author:** ![echoreply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/echoreply/32/3641_2.png) [@echoreply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/echoreply)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2024, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/272 "2024-02-19T03:56:54Z")
> [@Zyada](#): > > If I had the intestinal fortitude, I’d go to [Enchanted Rock](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enchanted_Rock). If the weather cooperates, that’s going to be a party I don’t know that I have the fortitude for parties at Enchanted Rock anymore, either, but as we’re talking about the Texas hill country and looking at the sky, a bit of a diversion: If any of you do go to Enchanted Rock on a clear night, I can highly recommend staying on top of the granite dome after the sun goes down. Lying down on the top of the dome, the ground drops away from you on all sides, so in your entire field of view, you can only see stars. Just _plan_ to stay up there after dark, so bring some flashlights and stuff so you can get back down. ---
**Author:** ![Zyada](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zyada/32/3028_2.png) [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2024, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/273 "2024-02-19T04:05:37Z")
I did that once. It is awesome ---
**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:** [February 19, 2024, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/274 "2024-02-19T04:17:43Z")
Oh I’ve been there too! And climbed it. It’s right in the path of totality. Would be so very cool to see the eclipse there. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2024, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/275 "2024-02-19T14:25:36Z")
So since I live in SE Michigan, it’s only a couple hour drive into Ohio to get myself in the path of totality. I’m thinking of playing hookey from work and taking a day trip to check it out. It’s been a long time since I experienced an eclipse, and I think the last one I did was only partial in my area. Anybody else planning on making the trip to the path of totality, or already live in the area, and are planning to observe it? I see on [Amazon there are a wide range of eclipse glasses for sale](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=eclipse+glasses&crid=2BPGVZH8MLQ72&sprefix=eclipse+glasses%2Caps%2C94&ref=nb_sb_noss_1). Are these generally safe to use? Are some better than others? If I make the trip, I want to observe it directly, not do the boring cardboard-pinhole trick from when I was a kid. But I’d also like to, ya know, not get permanently blinded. Should I plan for heavy traffic on the way down and back? I have absolutely no idea if there will be enough other people with the same idea as me that it will cause traffic issues. Am I wildly overestimating others’ interest to take the same trip to the extent that I actually think it might cause traffic issues? ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2024, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/276 "2024-02-19T14:40:10Z")
> [@solost](#): > > I see on [Amazon there are a wide range of eclipse glasses for sale](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=eclipse+glasses&crid=2BPGVZH8MLQ72&sprefix=eclipse+glasses%2Caps%2C94&ref=nb_sb_noss_1). Are these generally safe to use? They are, provided they are not knock-offs. They are some listed branded Celestron (a well known telescope manufacturer) and sold direct by Amazon. I think that’s as safe as you can get. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2024, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/277 "2024-02-19T14:49:12Z")
The other alternative is welding glass. There doesn’t seem to be a consensus on whether #12 is dark enough to be safe, but I find the ultra-conservative recommendation of #14 is just too dark. I settled on #13, which is a little harder to find - but I wanted to get it from a specialist welding supplier rather than Amazon anyway, to be sure that it’s genuine. It’s a piece of glass, so not suitable for kids - I protect the edges with tape & cardboard. > **[Harris Shade 13 Welding Helmet Glass Filter Plate Lens 4.5" x 5.25"](https://harrisweldingsupplies.com/harris-shade-13-welding-helmet-glass-filter-plate-lens-4-5-x-5-25/)** > > Buy Harris Shade 13 Welding Helmet Glass Filter Plate Lens 4.5" x 5.25" today at the lowest prices anywhere. Fast, free shipping. Get yours now! ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2024, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/278 "2024-02-19T14:54:28Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > They are, provided they are not knock-offs. They are some listed branded Celestron (a well known telescope manufacturer) and sold direct by Amazon. I think that’s as safe as you can get. > [@Riemann](#): > > The other alternative is welding glass. Thanks for the recs, Riemann! Also thanks to @John_DiFool and @puzzlegal for leading me to the proper thread 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2024, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/279 "2024-02-19T14:54:28Z")
> [@solost](#): > > I see on [Amazon there are a wide range of eclipse glasses for sale](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=eclipse+glasses&crid=2BPGVZH8MLQ72&sprefix=eclipse+glasses%2Caps%2C94&ref=nb_sb_noss_1). Are these generally safe to use? Are some better than others? NASA has an eclipse safety page to let you know what to look for. Any eclipse glasses should comply with [ISO 12312-2](https://eclipse.aas.org/eye-safety/iso-certification) Some brands that should work include Lunt, Soluna, and Celestron as long as they aren’t fakes or knockoffs ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2024, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/280 "2024-02-19T14:57:56Z")
I am going to Lake Erie College at 1, they is having a viewing event, come meet me! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873.md?page=13) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873.md?page=15)