# 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:** 3
**Author:** ![Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/face_intentionally_left_blank/32/288_2.png) [@Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Face_Intentionally_Left_Blank)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2021, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/41 "2021-04-01T16:52:04Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > To those who are very close to the path of totality: Yes, absolutely go for a drive. 99% totality is “Huh, that’s kind of interesting. OK, back to what I was doing.”. 100% totality is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. That last 1% really does make a huge difference. > > Likewise, those just inside the edge of the path, you probably want to move a bit, too. Right on the edge, you’ll only get a few seconds of totality, vs. minutes closer in. That’s what I try to communicate to folks who have seen partials and are all, “Yeah, it was pretty cool. . .” Partials are fun and cool, totals are like BEING in a big-budget sci-fi movie. I’ve seen partials before, and I was wholly unprepared for how different, how much more amazing and cool a total eclipse is. I _really_ hope I can hitch a ride to the next one. It’s only like an hour away and I’ve got years to make plans, but I don’t have a car anymore. After decades of backyard amateur astronomy, I’ve seen lunar eclipses, meteor showers, satellites with my naked eyes, comets, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn (and some of their moons) with my telescope, partial solar eclipses, and even some low-key northern lights. I saw Skylab falling out of orbit, streaking across the sky with a false (ghost) reflection that looked just like it. Nothing compared to 100% totality, not even close. ---
**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:** [April 2, 2021, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/42 "2021-04-02T00:48:49Z")
> [@Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](#): > > It’s only like an hour away and I’ve got years to make plans, but I don’t have a car anymore. You still have time to walk there. ---
**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:** [April 2, 2021, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/43 "2021-04-02T00:54:27Z")
Yeah a total eclipse is an entirely different kind of experience, altogether. (pause) It really is. In partial eclipses I’ve seen, the feeling is like “I think it’s getting a little darker, isn’t it? Not really sure…” A total eclipse just knocks your socks off. Seeing the sun replaced with a jet black circle is an uncanny experience. I once told a friend that compared to a total eclipse, a partial eclipse is like a partial orgasm. ---
**Author:** ![Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/face_intentionally_left_blank/32/288_2.png) [@Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Face_Intentionally_Left_Blank)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2021, 10:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/44 "2021-04-02T10:42:38Z")
Technically, everything’s in walking distance if you have the time. ---
**Author:** ![3AxisCtrl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/3/ecd19e/32.png) [@3AxisCtrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/3AxisCtrl)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2021, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/45 "2021-04-02T22:47:38Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > That last 1% really does make a huge difference. The ratio of sunlight reaching the ground in a 99% eclipse vs a total eclipse is ~10,000:1. For the “value of the experience” ratio, simply invert that fraction. ---
**Author:** ![SmellMyWort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SmellMyWort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmellMyWort)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2021, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/46 "2021-04-07T20:00:26Z")
Definitely planning to see 2024, just not sure yet from where. Was able to experience totality in 2017 in while dispersed camping in Oregon on Forest Service land. Had plans to be in Chile this past December but Covid screwed that up. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2021, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/47 "2021-04-08T13:34:33Z")
My daughter lives in southern Vermont - a bit south of the path, per the map. Though she’s just a 2ish hour drive from the center of the path… might just have to go visit her around then. > [@Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](#): > > Technically, everything’s in walking distance if you have the time. Well, swimming distance, if one is on another continent… (anyone remember those Google Maps easter eggs that involved swimming the Atlantic or kayaking across the Pacific?). ---
**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:** [April 8, 2021, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/48 "2021-04-08T13:35:59Z")
> [@Mama\_Zappa](#): > > My daughter lives in southern Vermont - a bit south of the path, per the map. Though she’s just a 2ish hour drive from the center of the path… might just have to go visit her around then. A nice family gathering in a beautiful area, yes. But be mindful of bad weather and unclear skies. ---
**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:** [August 22, 2021, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/49 "2021-08-22T13:39:02Z")
Four years ago in Idaho was the last TSE, total solar eclipse, that crossed the USA (CONUS). I took these shots. It was my first TSE. I plan to be in Texas for the next USA TSE. It’s less than three years away. These photos are from four years ago yesterday. [[Album] 4 years ago: total solar eclipse in Idaho ![](https://i.imgur.com/is64AlB.jpeg?fb "4 years ago: total solar eclipse in Idaho") ](https://imgur.com/gallery/0tFIFlA) ---
**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:** [August 22, 2021, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/50 "2021-08-22T16:55:14Z")
I’m already researching a new camera… The Nikon Z9 is coming, and, depending on it’s low-light capability, I might add it to my collection. ---
**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:** [August 22, 2021, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/51 "2021-08-22T19:52:04Z")
I have a beautiful 500mm f/8 lens, plus a 2X teledaptor, which I’ve used in past eclipses. Unfortunately, they can only be used in my old film camera, not the digital one I use. ---
**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:** [August 22, 2021, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/52 "2021-08-22T19:55:56Z")
What is the 500mm lens, and what digital camera? ---
**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:** [August 23, 2021, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/53 "2021-08-23T02:55:57Z")
I was in Idaho (Driggs to be specific) also – it was part of a multi-day bike tour. We started in West Yellowstone – then Warm River [https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/ctnf/recreation/camping-cabins/recarea/?recid=54815&actid=29](https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/ctnf/recreation/camping-cabins/recarea/?recid=54815&actid=29), then Driggs. We left WR early and were mostly on back roads so traffic wasn’t too bad. The temporary campgrounds were fun to see. We were at (IIRC the elementary school). It was also fun seeing all the private jets leave the airport afterwards. I still have my glasses. Brian ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2021, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/54 "2021-08-23T04:55:45Z")
And a lot of New Agers and other woo practitioners are reading a lot into that. I saw the 2017 one, and I eagerly anticipate the one in 2024. ---
**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:** [August 23, 2021, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/55 "2021-08-23T06:34:33Z")
> [@N9IWP](#): > > We left WR early and were mostly on back roads so traffic wasn’t too bad. Now that’s the way to do it! When I left Midvale and headed south to Boise, there was only one highway through. It was PACKED. Next time I’ll find back roads and dirt trails for my egress. > [@N9IWP](#): > > I still have my glasses. Same here. ---
**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2021, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/56 "2021-08-24T14:00:04Z")
[Enchanted Rock](https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/enchanted-rock) in Texas will be almost perfectly within the area of totality, and I can’t think of a better place to watch it. You’d be on a large, flat surface, and a couple of hundred feet above the surrounding area. I may have to see if I can get back down to Texas for that. ---
**Author:** ![JohnGalt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johngalt/32/184_2.png) [@JohnGalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnGalt)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2022, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/57 "2022-04-09T02:07:47Z")
Bumping this - as of today (4/8/2022) it’s two years away… Maybe update the thread title to say “2024” or something. ---
**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:** [April 9, 2022, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/58 "2022-04-09T04:12:45Z")
Only two years away now. This is still on my radar. I haven’t decided to go, but if I do go I’ll probably be in west Texas for it. ETA: mods can you append the title with “(in 2024)”? @engineer_comp_geek / @Loach / @PuzzleGal Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2022, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/59 "2022-04-09T04:19:14Z")
Man, I’d forgotten all about this! I’m in Belleville ON, within the totality belt but near its northern edge. I will just have to …go outside and look up. 🕶 ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2022, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/60 "2022-04-09T04:21:23Z")
I saw the one in 2017. I can’t wait for the one in 2024! In 2017, I saw it in Fulton, Missouri. Not sure where I’ll see it next time, although this time, I know the path will travel from SW to NE, with the peak once again near Carbondale, Illinois. [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=2) [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=4)