Solar Eclipse August 21st
Seems that you would need to travel as far south as Charleston,. SC to get the true "total solar eclipse" experience, but we will get a decent partial up here... here is the simulator showing the path of the eclipse in Hackettstown.
https://eclipsemega.movie/simulator?lat=40.8550327&lng=-74.85071310000001
ianimal 
"Seems that you would need to travel as far south as Charleston,. SC to get the true "total solar eclipse" experience"
I just have to go into my front yard to see the totality...
Mark Mc. 
ken eYou can get them online.
I already ordered and received mine (my family is coming down to visit, so I bought a bunch).
http://www.eclipse2017.org/glasses_order.htm
hktownie I may have to go down to visit my Sister and her family then. Even so, we'd have to travel 1/2 hour or so to get into good totality zone.
Phil D. 
strangerdanger Why go to a fake place, SD, instead of a place full of wonderful, real American culture?
Rebecka 
Scottso ianimal, I have a close friend who went to college in Nashville if you need any recs.
Tracy SD, because the totality band doesn't go through Orlando? Plus, there's plenty of time for Disney. They aren't old enough yet to appreciate it enough to justify the expense, IMO.
As for the eclipse, they may remember, they may forget. I'm already planning their first trip to Niagara Falls to coincide with the total eclipse in April 2024. Think of it as a "booster shot" to keep the memories alive (-;
I've never seen a total eclipse in person. I think it's important to give them all of the life experiences that I'm able to... especially ones that encourage interest in science.
Rebecka, I'm not sure "culture" is the proper nomenclature, LOL, but I'm sure the kids will have fun. The wee ones love to dance (she much more than he) and they may as well be exposed to that god-awful "music" at some point.
Me, I'll tolerate it, but it would never be my first or fifteenth choice for a vacation destination if not for the eclipse. I'm much more of a Memphis or New Orleans kind of guy musically. I'll work in a short trip to Lynchburg since we'll be in the neighborhood and I'll get my BBQ fix, that's enough for me (-;
Tracy, if you could recommend a non-touristy BBQ joint, that would be great. Thanks...
Ok, so my friend said her absolute favorite is Edley's, and they now have a few locations. She also said that if you're sticking to the downtown area, Jack's is pretty good too.
How do you know the "eclipse 2017" site listed above is selling legitimate glasses?
There are so many hoaxes online it makes me wonder how does anyone know if they are OK.
Asheville NC is in the eclipse path too I think? We'll be there in July. Just a few weeks too early.
Of all the things to worry about I think hoax eclipse glasses are pretty low on the list.
Besides, I'll be fine. All those tin foil hats you guys think I wear should keep me safe.
Asheville is not in the path of totality but it should get a pretty good eclipse none-the-less. You can see it in the map that I posted above.
Apropos of the smart aleck's comment above ........
Please everyone be careful who you purchase your eclipse glasses from.
www.eclipse2017.org/2017/fake_glasses.htm
Oh heck. Thanks again for the map, Mark! I looked at it again and Franklin, NC is in a good part, so even better would be to take everyone there to screen for rubies and sapphires while awaiting the eclipse! Bazinga - two fun things at once!
I will have to watch the YouTube videos. Planned on being in the Asheville area but too much going on in NJ for me.
iJay We will be staying at a ranch at the base of Grand Teton Mountain Range. Made reservations even before we knew about the eclipse. Climbing The Grand On August 22. Took this info from web site and I quote.
"The center-line of the solar eclipse will pass over Grand Teton National Park placing it in the path of totality. Visitors will experience the moon’s shadow rushing toward them with the Teton Range backdrop. The mid-day darkness is stunning and the sun's corona is awe-inspiring—observed only during the brief totality."
WOW we are so lucky. Can't wait.
just coach Wow, just coach - that will no doubt be amazing. We all just need to pray for clear skies!
So, after some research and careful consideration, we've decided to forego Nashville and stay in the Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg area and watch the eclipse in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Some of the factors that influenced our decision were a two-hour shorter drive each way, the fact that we could get a 4-bedroom house for less than the cost of a hotel room in Nashville, the more family-friendly atmosphere and not least of all, the fact that the region can really use our money after the wildfires ravaged large swaths of the community last summer. When considering all of that, it was really a no-brainer. We can always take a day trip to Nashville if the urge strikes us.
So, for the people who have been down there before, aside from the obvious places like Dollywood and the Ripley's Aquarium, are there any places in the region that would really appeal to a couple of toddlers that we shouldn't miss?
emaxxman Leave the kids home and hit the casino in Cherokee, NC. ;-)
You can definitely rent a great house for a reasonable price in that area. We rented a two bedroom two bath freshly renovated cabin, on the side of a mountain, for a week for $600 a few years ago. It had a great big deck on the back with a hot tub. Great views.
Most things in Downtown Gatlinburg would appeal to families. Driving through Great Smoky Mountain National Park is awesome. However, I know parts of it are still closed due to the fires.
You might want to PM Predator on here. He and Mrs. Predator used to live in that area and vacationed down there for years prior to moving there.
Calico696 It's August 1 !
I ordered the eclipse glasses on June 15 from the link Mark Mc. posted.. haven't received them yet. I've contact them via online form.
Has this happened to anyone else here?
I got mine pretty quickly after ordering. Definitely email/call to confirm shipment.
Gardenfish I ordered glasses from the link Mark posted and they arrived very quickly - I think 4 days.
Ollie 
4catmom Found them! They came in a white mailing tube.
Some other family member must have brought in the mail that day.
Misplaced thinking they were something else ordered from etsy.
Still it looks like Lowe's glasses are cheaper and no shipping.
"Still it looks like Lowe's glasses are cheaper and no shipping."
For a few pairs, yes. I bought 15 (family coming to visit and a few spares just in case), so the website was a better deal.
weren't there places around the area giving away free eclipse sunglasses ?? where?
Hackresident 
3wbdwnj It's a long shot...anyone have any extra glasses I could buy from them? I'm late to the game and everyone is sold out!
Badger I got mine today for free at the Catherine Dickson Hoffman Library in Blairstown. They give them out twice a day (I think at 9:00 am and 3:30 pm but call to check). I got there an hour ahead of time to get on line. They said they are getting low but will be giving them out tomorrow. Good luck!
red76nj I have friends saying they're not wearing the glasses. They think its ridiculous!
Botheredbyuu2 
Hopeful Bothered --- You need to tell them they can permanently damage their eyes. Even if they just look for a few seconds on and off. The problem is you do not feel pain when your retina is burning so they would not realize they were hurting their eyes.
I'm sure there will be news warning about this as the time gets closer.
Please see the attached photo and take the necessary precautions to ensure ALL of your animals remain indoors during the eclipse. Retinal damage is not just limited to humans!
Antimony Some (not all) locations in the following retail chains sell ISO-compliant safe eclipse glasses and/or handheld viewers made by the companies listed at the top of this page, so you can confidently buy solar viewers if you find them in their stores — but not on their websites, as some chains use different suppliers for their websites than they do for their stores. Links are provided only to help you locate the retail store nearest you:
Retail Chains
7-Eleven
Best Buy
Bi-Mart
Casey's General Store
Hobby Town
Kirklands
Kroger
London Drugs [sold out]
Love's Travel Stops [sold out]
Lowe's
Maverik
McDonald's (Oregon only)
Pilot/Flying J
Toys "R" Us [sold out]
Walmart
Everyone is out. Wal-Mart never had them to start with. Guess we should have ordered them weeks ago online.
Everyone enjoy the view.
If you find them be sure they are ISO or NASA certified, our eye Dr kindly sent out an email cautioning not to buy the copies.
Just make a pinhole viewer out of box if you can't get the glasses
https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/how-make-pinhole-projector-view-solar-eclipse
Nancy Yes, hktownie. There are fake glasses being sold -- just like I mentioned to be cautious of further up this thread. (and got the stupid comment from Marky boy) I know someone who purchased online, the site said they were American made, and were ISO 12312-2. When they got them they were fakes, made in China. If someone didn't know to look for the authentic markings, they could permanently damage their eyes.
Looked for glasses everywhere local today and online - no luck. Was able to reach a NASA recommended manufacturer with ISO certified glasses. Hope to have them in tomorrow, Saturday. I may have 30 pairs or so to sell. Will forum back once they're in.
Brian G does the sun always burn your retinas or just during the eclipse? I seem to remember staring directly into the sun as kids as a dare or whatever.
To answer question above -----A quick glance at the sun is not going to damage your eyes -- but the issue is when even just a small portion of the sun is visible during an eclipse -- and not uncomfortable to your eyes to look at -- a person could look at it for a long enough time to cause retina damage.
Botherbyuu2: Don't see how it couldn't be safe. You are never looking into the sun. The pin hole viewer projects the eclipse into the box and you view the eclipse in the box. The link I provided was from NASA and it indicates that it is safe. I made one out of a shoebox to test it (painted inside of box black) and it works really well.
Looking through an x-ray says works fine. There was a solar eclipse back in the 60s and the Doctor on our street in Brooklyn gave the kids the x-rays to look at it and they worked fine.
kb2755 Walmart had them. I bought them from there on Tuesday. Went back yesterday and they were sold out.
How come I never remember all this hoopla about wearing glasses during any other solar eclipse..
CraftBeerBob So if the Moon is about 1 percent the size of Earth and the Sun is about 109 times the size of Earth - how does that little Moon block out the Sun?
Also - didn't this happen last happen in 1979 but also heard the last time was 99 years ago?
Confused?
Also heard many of these states in the path have already declared State of Emergency's cause they can't handle up to another 1 million people viewing in their state at one time. So be careful if going.
ru 
EML I did get a fed-x tracking number for my shipment, so feeling more confident that I'll have them by noon. Depending on the demand from friends and family, I'll see what's available tomorrow. I did get an email. from someone here with visitors from overseas looking for 5, but couldn't respond. Try again. These are the same brand and quality going on eBay for big bucks. Want to cover my costs and will be fair. Thanks.
positive Simply put craft and positive, the good thing about science is that it advances. Don't believe it go ahead and stare at that totality and report back please.
Yesimpc A+ Yesimpc
Unfortunately the danger here is that some other idiot will take craftBeer & positive's comment to heart and damage their eyes.
And as per kb2755 comment ---------- you CANNOT look at this event thru xray film.
I've always heard this "hoopla" about protecting your eyes. I remember as a child about making a viewer with a piece of film or shoe box.
RAS Ugh happiest it was just a question..doesn't mean I'm not taking it seriously. I even sent a PM to Brian G about purchasing a few pairs from him.
Anyone have any extra glasses or know where to find them? A friend of mine is a teacher running a program and they're 10 pairs short for Monday. Hoping to be able to provide the opportunity for all kids
OliverQueen Just called 7-11 in Panther Valley. He said they never had them,but there was a guy selling them in parking lot. Lol!
Happiest - ditto to what positive said. It was a statement not a direction for someone to go and roll the dice. In fact I even have glasses...are you sure your name isn't saltiest girl.
rleaf Lowes no.
They cost approx 1.99-4.99 and people are selling them for 25.00?? Disgraceful!
You can keep them!
Hescrazy I have about 10 extra CE and ISO Certified Eclipse glasses that I'll sell for $5 apiece, if you guys need. I'll have to meet you somewhere on Sunday in Hackettstown. I wouldn't want to sell them all to one person, though, but PM if you need.
Rich Like many others here I waited until the last minute to try to find glasses, and when I did find them, I didn't pay the Lowes price. I also had to buy a minimum quantity, and pay a Fed-X priority, Saturday delivery charge. This is a once in my lifetime opportunity, and I wasn't willing to sacrifice my families eye's to not have the right protection. Been selling the excess all day long to folks that are happy to get them at that price. Check eBay, Craigslist -that's a reasonable price. If you can't afford it or justify that expense that's not my problem. If you can find them cheaper, good for you.
GC 
BrotherDog 
Walking Girl 
Sergio Qureshi Its not the fact of not being able to afford them. Its the fact of people taking advantage of others. Again, its disgraceful.
Done here. Enjoy the view! I will, for FREE!
Shady Now I'm bothered! Not sure why you can't understand that I paid a higher price last minute, expedited shipping costs, and I offer free delivery. Educate yourself on the market conditions before you get up on your soapbox. I made the effort to secure desired product for my family, friends and the general public, but I guess you feel entitled to dictate the market price. Grow up.
Brian if you're trying to do an altruistic thing, market prices would never factor into your decision. But I'm sure you already know this and we just looking to make a quick buck. I hope you burn out your retinas.
Let's cut the BS, there is no way it is $25 each when you take your entire order with fedex next day and divide. Give us the math. Be honest if you are looking for $20+ profit. Or not be honest. Besides, who even knows that your last minute order is for glasses that are valid. I wouldn't trust ANYTHING from eBay in regards to Eclipse glasses. I bought from an approved vendor with an approved manufacturer. None leftover...
I wish I had more than 10, but I got a bunch of emails last night and this morning, so mine are now spoken for. I'll be traveling around the town today to meet the 10 people that did get them :)
RU..re: your question about the sun being blocked out by the moon. The sun is 93 million miles from earth. The moon...240 thousand miles away. So... because the sun is so much further away, it looks appears smaller, compared to the moon, which is much closer.
Another cool thing I learned: You know how the moon can look so BIG, sometimes? It's the same distance from earth as when it looks small. Next time we have one of those giant moons, hold your thumb or other object next to it. Take notice of the size difference. Then do it again when the moon is higher in the sky and appears smaller. It'll be the same size, next to the object, as before. The horizon makes the moon look really big, sometimes. I didn't believe it, until I tried it myself. Yeah... I had a sheltered life, LOL.
Hope we all get to enjoy the show, safely!
sparksjbc1964 As I've said before this was probably one of the last shipments to leave the factory in TN 7 pm Friday. You want a charity handout, you could have gotten off your couch, and gone to the library and stand in line for two hours. Never cease to be amazed at the number of folks in our country looking for a free handout. I'm not twisting anyone's arm. Rich had the foresight to buy well in advance. Not my fault if you didn't. Go back to school and get real.
Capitalism at its finest. Supply and demand people. Easy concept. Brian - good job on taking care of your family...+1 for you.
Brian G, don't let people get to you. They had plenty of time to get glasses, either for free at the library, or via mail. I have mine, and some for coworkers to share. Sent some of them to my kids, plus my nieces. If necessary, I hope they share also.
In lieu if cardboard shadows, people can follow NASA. Or perhaps it's enough to be outside just to experience a somewhat darker afternoon.
maja2 Free Advice: If you have glasses...put them in a safe place, another eclipse is less than 7 years away. If you don't have glasses, I'm sure the supply & demand curve on amazon and ebay will go the other way soon. Buy them cheap, then put them in a safe place!
Got 5 Lunts from B&H delivered for much less than $25. I agree some people need to plan better. My point is at $25 you are not covering your costs. Just be straight up and say I am charging market value. Although I still would question anything bought from eBay...
Greg Route 46, there is an expiration on these glasses. The film may or may not be compromised after 3 years. Also, if you bend them they are damaged at the bend line and will not protect at that point. 7 years from now, buy new in 6 years 9 months...
Don't look...... or you will "Turn To Stone!"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDhJU_cNCZE
Embryodad 
Dont buy cheap imitation eclipse eyeglasses. Get the real thing.Good quality and ready for the next eclipse.
Htown The eclipse of April 8th, 2024 will be even better, and Hackettstown will see 91% of the sun covered by the moon's shadow. You will only need to travel to north-western PA or upstate NY to see the totality, and to top it off, you will have over 3 minutes of full totality! Definitely something to plan for.
For those people who wear prescription glasses, can the eclipse glasses be worn over the others? (I'm thinking yes but maybe with a bit more caution?)
DD Wow just catching up on this thread, glad i got glasses for my family early.
DD I was thinking to put the eclipse glasses under my prescription glasses. They fit
a bit tight, makes sense since they're for protection.
Greg
It's a bit ironic that that is the same type damage that my nephew's Eclipse had. Now I wonder where that pic was taken.
Darrin Starts: 1:23
Peaks: 2:44
Ends: 4:00
(NYC times, close enough)
No eclipse glasses?
Flip your phone's camera around to selfie mode, and watch over your shoulder.
(Apple has stated it will not hurt the phone's camera, as some have said)
Also, NASA live streaming:
https://www.nasa.gov/eclipse2017
AviationGuy Aviation guy...be careful with that selfie mode, I wouldn't trust the reflection of the sun not getting in your eyes that way.
Metsman Not a good idea to do the selfie thing either...
http://newsroom.cumc.columbia.edu/blog/2017/08/18/why-you-shouldnt-take-a-selfie-during-the-solar-eclipse/
LOL man people really do get uber-worried about stuff...
Don't let your pets out during the eclipse either, because they could go blind! Altho there's no more danger than there is ANY time the sun is out... so I guess, NEVER let your pets outside if the sun is out! LOL (I'm a pet owner)
As for the "selfie" thing, it's not TO TAKE A SELFIE during the eclipse, it's to use your phone to watch the eclipse in selfie mode, at angle/over your shoulder. Of course the sun can reflect off the phone screen.... just like it can reflect off a windshield, a body of water, a chrome bumper....
There's a alot of scaredy-cats out there
I was told that vampires will be very active during this eclipse and that's it possible to be bit or even killed. I'm very worried and going to stay in doors.
I heard werewolves. It's the new moon, but they'll be confused. I have my wolfsbane supply ready.
Mr. Resident 
I think Brian G's price is a bargain since I'm charging $50 for my Eclipse glasses.
**DISCLAIMER: I cannot guarantee legitimacy or safety with these since I purchased them in a dark alley from some dude in a black DC hoodie, named Sangboo. Purchase at your own risk!
SueR "I was told that vampires will be very active during this eclipse"
*runs outside to wait for Eric Northman*
weebiekins 
dogz 
I am trying all different ways (putting glasses over phone lens) but sadly it's not working too well...
Rooster Jerry going bonkers here. Apparently crickets and frogs might start making noise too?
Jim L 
Yeah my pics are coming out bad too. I did get an interesting one with the half sun looking blue in another spot
Yes, we noticed that too. Starting to look like a storm is coming but with the sun out. So far I still hear the cicadas and usual noises.
Lots of people outside on the patio at work taking part in the eclipse excitement. Thankfully one of the attorneys at my firm had a pair of glasses so we all passed them around. A cloud passed over right at the peak, so you could see it with the naked eye for a second or two. Very cool. Glad I got to experience that.
Very cool, indeed. In 7 years we will have another that will be about 92% here in NJ.
Much ado about nothing in NJ if your not looking without eyeware. Can hardly tell anything different about the day.
Except it was an excuss for a couple cocktails on the deck...
Roywhite 
Guess the moon didn't pass in front of the sun in all parts of NW NJ. ;-)
My bro is apparently enjoying the eclipse
-->
KMC77 
Philliesman 
One of the pictures I was able to snag while the sun the dancing around some clouds.
I used the cloud cover as my "glasses". Caught it just as it emerged from a dark cloud...
Was disappointed it didn't get darker, 72% felt more like 25%. Like a storm front was just starting to move in. Oh well.
I thought it would have gotten darker too, AviationGuy. Just shows how strong the sun really is.
This is distant and was taken through a pair of viewing glasses in Whippany. It was fun to see and people were all being chill and sharing their glasses with people who didn't have or those who, like me, messed up their homemade eclipse viewer lol!
My sister was lucky enough to be only about 1/2 hour away from the path of totality and they went to Newberry, SC (class trip for the kids I think - in SC they started school early just to take advantage of the learning experience). She tried to send me a pic made through glasses but it doesn't want to download for me:-( NASA was periscoping it live from Hendersonville, KY on their periscope site.
Have family in SC. They said it was awesome. I saw it because 2 boys at the mall offered me their glasses. Very cool!
Saw the totality from Spring City, TN. Truly an awesome sight. Will be heading up to Niagara Falls in 2024.
As for the claim that you can look at a partial eclipse without pain... not true. As soon as a tiny sliver of the sun peeked out, ending the totality, the same discomfort as looking directly at the sun any other time returned.
"As for the claim that you can look at a partial eclipse without pain... not true. "
Did someone say that?!?!
Pigpen I was watching while floating in the ocean down the shore. It was pretty cool to see even if it was partial!
I also had to laugh at someone's Totalled Eclipse picture. My first car was a 98 Mitsubishi Eclipse. I loved that car and thought I was the s*** driving around in it lol. The kid that bought it from me totalled it, but he walked away ok thankfully.
LL Yes AviationGuy, happiest said it.
--- You need to tell them they can permanently damage their eyes. Even if they just look for a few seconds on and off. The problem is you do not feel pain when your retina is burning so they would not realize they were hurting their eyes.
I'm sure there will be news warning about this as the time gets closer.
happiest girl
4 days ago
You are both right. The pain you feel when you look at the sun is from the pupils trying to get as small as possible. The damage to the retina does not cause pain due to there being no nerve endings back there.
The lack of nerve endings is why you feel no pain.
Perhaps you can comprehend this by understanding the danger of using counterfeit eclipse glasses. They enable you to look at the sun comfortably --- but can cause serious eye damage or even blindness because you feel no pain -- you cannot feel your retina burning.
We quadrupled up some old film negatives, and we we're able to get some pretty cool views. Looked like the photo from Sue R's picture. We also covered the video camera, with negatives and got some great shots. I wish knew how to show you guys a photo, from the video. It was pretty cool, huh?
That wasn't the quote I was talking about, although they were both from the same person... this was:
"To answer question above -----A quick glance at the sun is not going to damage your eyes -- but the issue is when even just a small portion of the sun is visible during an eclipse -- and not uncomfortable to your eyes to look at -- a person could look at it for a long enough time to cause retina damage."
Agreed, ianimal. The only time I could look comfortably at the eclipse without glasses was when the clouds passed in front of it.
Sparkjbc1964
You can screen capture a part of the video using snipping tool and save as jpg to upload it as photo or just upload video to YouTube and share link.
I'd love to see it!
five2270 
This is the best photo I got, but it does nothing to capture the actual captivating sense of awe that the live event evoked.
Family all together on top of mountain with Grand Teton National park mountain range as backdrop. Pictures to follow.
My niece came home today from Nashville, TN. These are the pictures they took of the Eclipse. I don't know how or what they used to do it, but they are awesome. I guess kids are very high tech these days and they know how to do this. She has some sort of filter on her camera.
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