# 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:** 9
**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 23, 2024, 7:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/161 "2024-01-23T07:32:34Z")
One can only hope. ---
**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:** [January 23, 2024, 7:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/162 "2024-01-23T07:42:25Z")
> [@Spiderman](#): > > 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. I guess it would be a bit cheeky to buy one a week before and return it. Is a standard solar filter okay, it looks like they are about 16 stops. Or do you need something that lets more light through? ---
**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, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/163 "2024-01-23T17:01:27Z")
I already have 3, 6, & 10-stops. Solar filters are advertised as 16-stop, or even more. ---
**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:** [January 23, 2024, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/164 "2024-01-23T17:23:27Z")
Yeah, I have ND 10 & 6. I’ve never done any technical photography like this, is a solar filter doing anything fancy to protect from different wavelengths that a regular ND filter isn’t doing? In other words, why not just stack the 10 and 6? From what I read at totality you’re going to want to remove the filter completely anyway. ---
**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 23, 2024, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/165 "2024-01-23T17:29:24Z")
Some ND filters may not block UV and IR very well. ETA: you want vapor-deposited metal. ---
**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:** [January 23, 2024, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/166 "2024-01-23T17:54:23Z")
I’m seriously considering flying to Mazatlan for it. Looking up all inclusives now and getting my travel agent friend to see what she can find. ---
**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 24, 2024, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/167 "2024-01-24T00:07:52Z")
I’ll wave back! We’re thinking either Bluffton or Decatur, both are further within the path of totality and within a half-hour drive for us. ---
**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 25, 2024, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/168 "2024-01-25T19:55:56Z")
Aw, @#$%&, I have to be local both Sat morn & Sun thru mid-day. Planned location is 5-6 hr drive; we were going to up for the weekend & to visit the kid in college, too. If I go, it’s now get up there Sun night & turn around & come home Mon night; can’t have breakfast with a college student; they don’t get up early enough. I guess if we do go, it’ll have to be a perfect forecast. Isn’t April the month of showers??? ---
**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 26, 2024, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/169 "2024-01-26T00:20:31Z")
Yes. April showers bring May flowers. Then there’s this from [Space.com](http://Space.com): [How El Niño may affect the chances of clear skies for the 2024 total solar eclipse The incoming disruptive global climate pattern underscores the path of totality through Mexico and Texas as the best places to be for the lowest chance of cloud cover.](https://www.space.com/how-el-nino-may-affect-total-solar-eclipse-2024-weather) ---
**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:** [January 26, 2024, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/170 "2024-01-26T00:28:10Z")
Hoping its clear skies in Cleveland. ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2024, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/171 "2024-01-26T23:48:45Z")
The Guardians are trying to figure out how to schedule their opening day around the eclipse. > **[Total Eclipse of the Park: The Guardians' home opener coincides with a rare...](https://theathletic.com/5224300/2024/01/25/mlb-total-solar-eclipse-cleveland-guardians-april/)** > > The Guardians have to decide how to handle the sun going dark on the day of their home opener, with huge crowds descending on Cleveland. ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2024, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/172 "2024-01-27T02:05:50Z")
There was a minor league game in Salem OR during the 2017 eclipse. They scheduled a morning game so that the eclipse would happen during the first inning. [https://baseballhall.org/discover/short-stops/total-eclipse-of-the-park](https://baseballhall.org/discover/short-stops/total-eclipse-of-the-park) [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/S07FO4GH0zc/hqdefault.jpg "Baseball Hits an Eclipse") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S07FO4GH0zc) ---
**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:** [January 27, 2024, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/173 "2024-01-27T02:15:15Z")
Well it seems that going to Mazatlan would cost $4200 which is more than I wanted to spend. I really want to see this though. Maybe Texas? ---
**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:** [January 27, 2024, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/174 "2024-01-27T06:34:06Z")
Texas is the best location in the US, but the weather is still iffy. The data I’ve seen says there’s only about a 50% chance of clear skies in the best Texas locations. Everywhere else in the US is worse. Chances are better in Mazatlan but I’m betting on Texas. ETA Some weather maps [here](https://www.weather.gov/car/2024TotalSolarEclipse). ---
**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:** [January 27, 2024, 6:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/175 "2024-01-27T06:43:19Z")
> [@FloatyGimpy](#): > > I’m seriously considering flying to Mazatlan for it. Look at Durango too. I was able to book flights, hotel, rental car all at normal prices a few months ago. American via Dallas. ---
**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 27, 2024, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/176 "2024-01-27T07:01:21Z")
> [@markn\_1](#): > > Texas is the best location in the US, but the weather is still iffy. The data I’ve seen says there’s only about a 50% chance of clear skies in the best Texas locations. It must surely be much better than 50%! According to Environment Canada it’s around 50% here in Ontario. From what I’ve read, Texas and Mexico are the best locations for clear skies at that time, and the odds get progressively worse as you move northeast, as shown in the maps you posted. ---
**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:** [January 27, 2024, 7:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/177 "2024-01-27T07:09:35Z")
Well, look at the second map on that page: “Percent of time April 1st-15th between noon and 4pm CDT is 20% or less cloudy”. It shows most of the Texas path in the 30%-40% bracket. The very southernmost sliver of Texas manages to reach 40%-50%. Montreal is in the 10%-20% bracket. April is just not a good time to schedule an eclipse. ---
**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 27, 2024, 7:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/178 "2024-01-27T07:17:14Z")
Hmm… now that I think about it, the 50% number for my area was based on some extrapolating I did myself from weather records and may not be accurate. But also, the odds greatly improve if you consider up to 50% cloud cover to be acceptable. The real disaster, weather-wise, would be a total or near-total overcast. Which is what I’m predicting, because I’m a pessimist! ---
**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 27, 2024, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/179 "2024-01-27T17:07:54Z")
Hope for the best, plan for the worst. This eclipse would be absolutely fantastic to see at Niagara Falls, one of my favorite places, but because of weather I’m headed to Texas for it. I’ll probably be in Ingram TX, at Stonehenge II. [![](https://i.imgur.com/J2ifNtg.jpg) ](https://i.imgur.com/J2ifNtg.jpg) [![](https://i.imgur.com/R9IOyxo.jpg) ](https://i.imgur.com/R9IOyxo.jpg) ---
**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 27, 2024, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-tse-total-solar-eclipse-april-2024-was-three-years-away-for-usa-when-started/938873/180 "2024-01-27T17:12:34Z")
I’d never heard of Stonehenge II but it strikes me as a fantastic place to be during a total eclipse! [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=8) [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=10)