# 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:** 8
**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:** [January 18, 2024, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/141 "2024-01-18T17:17:20Z")
There may well be traffic, so plan accordingly! We have a place booked in north-central New York. My daughter will be joining us from Vermont (we first tried to book places in Burlington, but they were all insanely priced) which will be some odd travel for her - she’ll have to catch a bus to Albany, then a train up to Plattsburgh. A friend is coming from Chicago - likely will drive to our place in Virginia, then ride up with us. The place is on a lake, and there’s a bit of a pier, so we should have an unobstructed view - if weather cooperates. In 2017, we were on a beach in SC and watching the overcast sky with great dismay. Luckily it cleared up JUST in time for the big show. We might see if there are any public gatherings nearby - because part of the fun is sharing it with a crowd. We should have 3+ minutes of totality. My husband already ordered viewing glasses for everyone - hopefully he remembers where he put them!! ---
**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:** [January 18, 2024, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/142 "2024-01-18T17:28:16Z")
> [@Mama\_Zappa](#): > > We should have 3+ minutes of totality. My husband already ordered viewing glasses for everyone - hopefully he remembers where he put them!! Mine are in a desk drawer where I keep important papers, otherwise I’m pretty much guaranteed to misplace them. 🙂 I’m not terribly concerned about traffic as I’m already in the path of totality and will just be trying to get further south to meet up with friends, which is also closer to the center line. Some of the travel will be pretty rural so I don’t expect much traffic, but who knows. April 8 is Monday so a lot of folks will be tied to their jobs or won’t care enough to take a day or half a day off (I hope!). ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2024, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/143 "2024-01-18T17:31:43Z")
> [@Mama\_Zappa](#): > > There may well be traffic, so plan accordingly! I wouldn’t worry much about traffic. Especially if there’s lots of warnings about it in the press immediately before. It’s what I call the Carmagaddon Effect. All those warnings are taken seriously by most people, so there won’t actually be a traffic problem in the event. ---
**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:** [January 18, 2024, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/144 "2024-01-18T17:36:14Z")
Until it’s time to leave… ---
**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:** [January 18, 2024, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/145 "2024-01-18T21:06:32Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > [Solar Eclipses - Interactive Google Maps - Xavier Jubier](http://xjubier.free.fr/en/site_pages/SolarEclipsesGoogleMaps.html) Repeating this link, since it got buried in a post from nearly 2 years ago. We’ll have right about 3 minutes of totality. ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2024, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/146 "2024-01-18T21:11:44Z")
Woo hoo, my brother’s house has 3 min 30 seconds of totality, AND it’s during spring break week, so Kid Cheesesteak is going to be dragged along with me. ---
**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:** [January 18, 2024, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/147 "2024-01-18T22:07:42Z")
Buy your eclipse glasses now, while they’re readily available! It’s fun to have some extras on hand to give out. Even to folks who won’t be in the totality path. [https://bit.ly/3U3Bq3W](https://bit.ly/3U3Bq3W) ---
**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:** [January 18, 2024, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/148 "2024-01-18T23:14:43Z")
> [@Mama\_Zappa](#): > > There may well be traffic, so plan accordingly! Truth, @Mama_Zappa . Before the eclipse the traffic and crowds build more slowly and were less of an impact, but after it’s over there was LOTS of heavy traffic as everyone left all at once. I was sitting in jam-packed traffic for hours in central Idaho. That’s what I learned in August 2017, my first total eclipse. For the October 2023 annular eclipse I made local plans for after it was over, and that worked perfectly. I’m doing the same for this eclipse. So the key planning is for when the eclipse is over. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Girlfriend](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.girlfriend/32/193_2.png) [@Dr.Girlfriend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Girlfriend)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2024, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/149 "2024-01-19T00:07:14Z")
We’ve thought about traffic. My cousin is more worried about finding a place to pee… 🤣 I did get my eclipse glasses and have them stashed where I can see the box but they’re not in the way. ---
**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:** [January 19, 2024, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/150 "2024-01-19T05:54:33Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > So the key planning is for when the eclipse is over. Smart! In 2017, we had a rental house about 4 blocks from the beach - so we just walked to and from the beach. Being right on the coast, there was not a lot of through traffic to deal with. This time around, we’ll be able to see it right from our rental (weather permitting), and will also be far away from any major highways. So even if we go “into town” (such as it is, the nearest town is not entirely worth the name) traffic should not be an issue. My WAG is that places nearer large cities will have more issues, with people going there to see, or from there to a place on the path. In terms of not forgetting the glasses: about a month beforehand, I’m going to designate the corner of the living room as a staging area, to put things we need to bring along (since we’re staying at the rental for a full week). Games. Non-perishable foods. Spare pillows. And protective glasses! So if my husband cannot find the ones he bought, there will be time to fix it. ---
**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:** [January 19, 2024, 8:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/151 "2024-01-19T08:29:56Z")
I noticed that this eclipse will be visible from part of Nova Scotia. Now, does anyone have a Lear Jet that I can borrow? ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2024, 9:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/152 "2024-01-19T09:55:12Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > Now, does anyone have a Lear Jet that I can borrow? I suspect you’ll be asking that in vain… ---
**Author:** ![Slight\_Off\_Hand](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f08c70/32.png) [@Slight\_Off\_Hand](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slight_Off_Hand)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2024, 11:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/153 "2024-01-19T11:31:19Z")
Everyone always runs to Nova Scotia. New Brunswick is right on the centre line for the eclipse. Head to Kouchibouguac National Park for a great view! ---
**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:** [January 22, 2024, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/154 "2024-01-22T12:22:26Z")
It seems that this eclipse will be even more spectacular than the previous one over parts of North America in 2017, because the sun will be in a heightened state of activity and the corona more spectacular: > **[Why 2024's Total Solar Eclipse Will Be So Special](https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-2024s-total-solar-eclipse-will-be-so-special/)** > > The last time North Americans caught a total solar eclipse, the sun was in a lull of activity. This year’s eclipse will be very different ---
**Author:** ![zimaane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a3d4f5/32.png) [@zimaane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zimaane)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2024, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/155 "2024-01-22T14:29:26Z")
Are there any brands that are recommended ? I don’t want to buy something substandard, and, you know, destroy my retinas. ---
**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:** [January 22, 2024, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/156 "2024-01-22T14:41:55Z")
NASA doesn’t recommend specific brands, but they do have 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. > **[Safety - NASA Science](https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/future-eclipses/eclipse-2024/safety/)** > > Eye Safety During a Total Solar Eclipse Except during the brief total phase of a total solar eclipse, when the Moon completely blocks the Sun’s bright face, it is not safe to look directly at the Sun without specialized eye protection for solar... ---
**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:** [January 22, 2024, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/157 "2024-01-22T17:06:52Z")
Yes, as antiBob said they should meet the ISO standard. I haven’t looked into it but that might be a standard the manufacturers self-certify to (as opposed to a 3rd party independent verification). Anyway I’ve only been to two eclipses, Aug 2017 and Oct 2023, and haven’t had any problem buying the basic ones off of Amazon. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2024, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/158 "2024-01-22T21:00:26Z")
You could do like the orange president did, look at it without glasses. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2024, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/159 "2024-01-23T01:45:34Z")
> [@Dr.Girlfriend](#): > > I think they’ve updated the path a bit since the last time I looked. The path of totality is less than a mile from my house. (NE Indiana) I’ve already taken the day off from work, now I just have to get myself some eclipse glasses. We’ll be in NW Ohio, I’ll wave in your general direction. 😉 A friend of mine from grad school teaches at Defiance College, which is just inside the zone of totality. Hopefully we can drive a ways further south before the eclipse starts to get more totality time, so to speak. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2024, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/160 "2024-01-23T04:05:16Z")
After the one a few years ago, I called ‘dibs’ on a friend’s house but have kind of lost touch with her as she’s stopped coming to most of the events we would both do & would think it a bit awkward to reach out & say, “remember when you promised me a room?” so I’ve been telling the SO we need to book something (for western NY) I’m really pissed at myself because B&H had a Nisi solar camera filter on the ‘Deal of the Day’ a couple of days ago & I forgot about it & never ordered one; $80 off. [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=7) [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=9)