# 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:** 51
**Author:** ![chappachula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d2c977/32.png) [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2024, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/1001 "2024-04-09T12:26:20Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > they played _Dancing in the Dark_, _Total Eclipse of the Heart_, and _Walking on Sunshine_. Am I the only one who was thinking this is the opportunity to play Pink Floyd ?\* , , \*(Dark side of the Moon, obviously) ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2024, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/1002 "2024-04-09T12:34:41Z")
I already made a _You’re So Vain_ reference months ago. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2024, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/1003 "2024-04-09T12:49:24Z")
I had “Black Hole Sun” by Soundgarden on my internal playlist. I had never thought of that song in terms of an eclipse, but the words fit especially well. ---
**Author:** ![FloatyGimpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/floatygimpy/32/7750_2.png) [@FloatyGimpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FloatyGimpy)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2024, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/1004 "2024-04-09T13:05:29Z")
Awesome photo! The bright bursts are what amazed me the most during the eclipse. So glad that you were able to capture it! I had such a lovely time with Bullitt and his family. So glad I came down to Texas for it. The weather was touch and go for us but in the end it (mostly) was decent. We got to see a lot of the first part but it clouded over quite a bit just in time for totality but we still got about 30 seconds of seeing it and it blew my mind. Because of the cloud cover it looked (to me) like a giant ring of fire sitting in front of the clouds like a space ship. Then it went dark as night like someone suddenly turned the lights off. Then the clouds really moved in so the experience was over far too soon. My itch wasn’t sufficiently scratched. We need a new thread - Total Eclipse Egypt 2027. The idea of sitting at my resort on the Nile watching the total eclipse is extremely tempting. Do all the pyramid/sphinx/tourist stuff in Cairo then head down to Luxor for the eclipse. ---
**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:** [April 9, 2024, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/1005 "2024-04-09T13:28:26Z")
Just be glad it didn’t look like this: [![](https://qph.cf2.quoracdn.net/main-qimg-99b49e23a760c7513fd259f199f0c86f-lq) ](https://qph.cf2.quoracdn.net/main-qimg-99b49e23a760c7513fd259f199f0c86f-lq) ---
**Author:** ![Nars\_Glinley](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nars_glinley/32/8177_2.png) [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2024, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/1006 "2024-04-09T13:31:41Z")
> [@chappachula](#): > > Am I the only one who was thinking this is the opportunity to play Pink Floyd ?\* > > , > , > > \*(Dark side of the Moon, obviously). Someone near us was playing “Eclipse” from DSOTM during totality. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2024, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/1007 "2024-04-09T13:34:59Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > A couple things did occur to me. In the morning before the eclipse, I tried to see where the moon was, but I couldn’t. It’s obviously close to the sun, and almost completely backlit. I was thinking of all the people for thousands of years who saw this, but may not have known why it was happening. If they could see the moon 6 hours, or 12 hours before the eclipse, they may have figured out they were converging. So how soon before an eclipse can you see the moon with the naked eye? The Bad Astronomer had a column from 11 years ago where a colleague of his managed to snap a pic of a very young moon: > **[The Newest New Moon](https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/the-newest-new-moon)** > > . ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2024, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/1008 "2024-04-09T13:36:57Z")
> [@ftg](#): > > The weird light made things seem gray only not really. Just “odd” in some undefinable way. I was thinking about that. I think it’s your brain realizing it’s dim enough to be “twilight”, and we expect the light to be more orange-tinged at that time. But the light we got from the Sun still had the mid-day color balance, it was just the intensity that was decreasing. So your brain thinks it’s twilight because of the intensity, but gets confused because there isn’t the orange tinge that you’d expect. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2024, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/1009 "2024-04-09T13:46:39Z")
This article (gift link) has some nice pictures on where to go to see another total eclipse over the next decade. Spain or Iceland, Aug. 12, 2026 anyone? Egypt Aug. 2, 2027? Australia July 22, 2028? > **[Where to see all the total solar eclipses for the rest of this decade](https://www.theglobeandmail.com/gift/2c74378c75ce69f3bd05148883e9aa787edbcaa15de44e8517335ccc76bfb73e/T6IUATYDRJBKZMKNRLZGELMFR4/)** > > Next week’s big celestial event could be just the beginning of a lifetime pursuit ---
**Author:** ![Dorjan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dorjan/32/12440_2.png) [@Dorjan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dorjan)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2024, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/1010 "2024-04-09T14:06:13Z")
Man, that was great, especially the giant prominence that was viewable to the naked eye! The weather cooperated here in NE Ohio and I was able to experience my 2nd total solar eclipse, this time without having to travel. I did not take photos of the eclipse (did that the first time), but I did send my drone up to get video of the area during totality. You can see the 360 “sunset/sunrise” and get a good feel for how dark it gets. I posted on YT if you want to have a look: [https://youtu.be/-nI1DRFEtzk?si=gteXxYj6pSg8hJdS](https://youtu.be/-nI1DRFEtzk?si=gteXxYj6pSg8hJdS) Note: Go ahead and mute it, the music I attached is terrible LOL. I was editing on a computer with no speakers and didn’t realize how bad it was, I just grabbed something from YouTube studio that matches the video length and was tagged as “ambient”. 🤦‍♂️ ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2024, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/1011 "2024-04-09T14:09:03Z")
> [@John\_DiFool](#): > > The Bad Astronomer had a column from 11 years ago where a colleague of his managed to snap a pic of a very young moon: Interesting, and thanks for posting that link. It doesn’t quite answer my question, though. How near to the sun is the moon visible with the naked eye? Or to put it another way, in the days before modern astronomy, how difficult was it for clever people to discern that the moon and sun were converging before an solar eclipse? ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2024, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/1012 "2024-04-09T14:10:19Z")
Yeah, it’s also for me because the twighlight is coming from the wrong direction (I.e. overhead) too. ---
**Author:** ![3AxisCtrl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/3/ecd19e/32.png) [@3AxisCtrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/3AxisCtrl)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2024, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/1013 "2024-04-09T14:14:31Z")
With vast amounts of clouds in the forecast, we struggled to find an acceptable location in the hill country of Texas - and succeeded in the town of Harper. It was looking grim with low clouds at 10 minutes to totality, but these cleared for amazing views. 10 minutes later would have been a big problem. Four minutes that made a long trip worthwhile. The back roads of Texas were remarkable: Low traffic, consistently smooth pavement, wide shoulders (would be notably bike-friendly), and wide verges. These were frequently carpeted with an impressive array of wildflowers. ---
**Author:** ![Eclipse\_Chaser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@Eclipse\_Chaser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eclipse_Chaser)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2024, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/1014 "2024-04-09T14:23:37Z")
My eclipse song is Whole of the Moon by the Waterboys. It dates from my first eclipse in the Gobi Desert in 2008. On the way to the eclipse site in the morning, I was sitting on the coach listening to some favourites on my phone, thar one came up and I thought, that’s a good omen - and it was. Super eclipse and I was totally hooked. So playing that song on the way to the site in the morning is part of my ritual! ---
**Author:** ![mjmartin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3d9bf3/32.png) [@mjmartin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mjmartin)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2024, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/1015 "2024-04-09T14:52:23Z")
We had an amazing day in northern New Hampshire. It was perfectly clear and we had about 3 minutes of totality. So many things don’t live up to the hype. This far exceeded it. I had read in passing that the cell networks could get overwhelmed, but didn’t think much of it. Then about 10:15 a.m., my phone’s gps and internet were completely down, which lasted for most of the day. I had a pretty clear sense where I was going, but I missed the assurance of having an estimated arrival time. The trip home took 7 hours, (usually 3 1/2). The limited restaurants and fast food places in the area knew it was going to be busy, but I don’t think they knew the full extent of what to prepare for. A Dunkin we went into was sold out of everything except iced and hot coffee. It was sad to hear from many workers that they weren’t going to be allowed to view the eclipse. I was very pleasantly surprised by just how nice everyone was. People were sharing their plans for the trip, memories of past eclipses, places that had the shortest lines for the bathrooms, etc. Overall, a long but amazing day. I can certainly see why people travel from all over the world to see the totality. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2024, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/1016 "2024-04-09T15:23:51Z")
I love this song too. Different reasons. But I applaud your choice. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2024, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/1017 "2024-04-09T15:31:47Z")
I had a really fun time! I was on my deck, in my city between Cleveland and Akron. My mom came over and we had moon pies from a local bakery and listened to **Dark Side of the Moon**. I NEARLY got “…and the sun is eclipsed by the moon” lined up with totality but I had technical difficulties and I boffed it. Close enough tho. But it was still a good album to listen to during the whole thing. I clapped when the totality happened, which is weird cuz I’m not very emotive. But it was a thing to see! Then some people started blowing off fireworks and my dogs got upset so that kinda ruined the mood but still it was a pretty fantastic event all around. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2024, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/1018 "2024-04-09T15:36:37Z")
Really striking video! Absolutely gorgeous! Just for fun, after watching it at normal speed, I doubled the playback speed in the settings. Wheee! ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2024, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/1019 "2024-04-09T15:53:12Z")
Just saw this. Probably too late to reply. With notice I would have loved to but lunch is already being prepared. Stop over to meet and greet in the afternoon? I don’t travel easily these days. I don’t think I’ve seen @EmilyG on the board since she said she was going homeless. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2024, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/1020 "2024-04-09T15:57:22Z")
Today in Mazatlán the weather is totally clear and looks to stay that way. Oops. > [@Shoeless](#): > > By that time of course the highways were packed and it took us three and a half hours just to get to Crystal City, which was only about halfway to where we wanted to be. So we pulled off the highway and watched from a QuikTrip parking lot. Ouchety-ouch-ouch on that whole story! Never let last minute people or people with scheduling conflicts force your hand on anything with a fixed start time. I’d have been beyond furious although more at myself for foolishly acceding than them for destroying the event. Semi-related … Some of my old friends from St. Louis drove down to Cape on Sunday & stayed overnight w other mutual friends who now live there. They had a great on-centerline viewing from the hosts’ backyard net of a bit of cirrus. The drive home shortly afterwards however took 6 hours, not 2. Oops. The Mexicans had a much better approach. The whole day was a Fiesta and 4 hours after the eclipse probably 80% of the crowd was still here enjoying the beach, music, and eating and drinking and partying. Lots of little kids, lots of families and groups, no fireworks, no pets underfoot. I saw drunk; I never saw disorderly. Americans could learn a lot about how to live from these folks. [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=50) [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=52)