After following the recent eclipse on CNN, I almost feel as if I had watched it in person. But I can't add it to my list--actually being 'there' is such a profound experience TV just doesn't do it.
In 1979, there were big concerns about hurting our eyes, and the solution was an awkward cardboard viewer that made it difficult to view. Now, the glasses are available, which is nice. But, we had considerable cloud cover.
Thanks for this note, Dorothy! I loved the video. My daughter and her kids went to Ohio this year to see the total eclipse, and they said it was amazing. In southern California it wasn't much, just partial. I went into my backyard in hopes of having some kind of experience, but if I hadn't known an eclipse was happening, I wouldn't have seen any changes at all.
Thanks for your note, Suzanne--I wrote this second piece in hope of getting it across just how important the word "total" is! There's just no comparison. Once the moon slips over that last arc of sunlight, it's a different world. The experience goes right to your soul, it's so powerful.
Thanks for the photos and video. Very fun. I remember seeing a total eclipse as a teenager in California (Saturday, March 7, 1970, I was 15), with my parents. We did not even know it was going to happen, we were shopping at an outdoor mall. It started getting darker and all these people ran outside to see what was happening. We watched much of it through a pin-hole camera as there were no good, safe glasses available. But I remember it getting colder, the birds stopped singing, the area around during total looked like a circular sunset (although much was blocked by buildings), and there was a quiet in the air. But I still remember it.
Thanks for your comment, Owen. So often these other parts of the eclipse experience aren't mentioned, but they contribute a great deal to the effects. Such a great overall show of Nature's power and gift of light and warmth to our planet!!
I remember the 1979 eclipse. I was a senior at Butte High School!
Did you get to be outside and experience it? Was it visible or was it hidden by clouds as it was in so many place in MT.
In 1979, there were big concerns about hurting our eyes, and the solution was an awkward cardboard viewer that made it difficult to view. Now, the glasses are available, which is nice. But, we had considerable cloud cover.
Lovely piece, Muse. You must be a born writer!
Jon
Just like you, fellow born writer!
Thanks for this note, Dorothy! I loved the video. My daughter and her kids went to Ohio this year to see the total eclipse, and they said it was amazing. In southern California it wasn't much, just partial. I went into my backyard in hopes of having some kind of experience, but if I hadn't known an eclipse was happening, I wouldn't have seen any changes at all.
Thanks for your note, Suzanne--I wrote this second piece in hope of getting it across just how important the word "total" is! There's just no comparison. Once the moon slips over that last arc of sunlight, it's a different world. The experience goes right to your soul, it's so powerful.
Thanks for the photos and video. Very fun. I remember seeing a total eclipse as a teenager in California (Saturday, March 7, 1970, I was 15), with my parents. We did not even know it was going to happen, we were shopping at an outdoor mall. It started getting darker and all these people ran outside to see what was happening. We watched much of it through a pin-hole camera as there were no good, safe glasses available. But I remember it getting colder, the birds stopped singing, the area around during total looked like a circular sunset (although much was blocked by buildings), and there was a quiet in the air. But I still remember it.
Thanks for your comment, Owen. So often these other parts of the eclipse experience aren't mentioned, but they contribute a great deal to the effects. Such a great overall show of Nature's power and gift of light and warmth to our planet!!
Loved reading this and seeing the photos of you all. The video was great too!
Thanks for your comment, Dianne--it really was a great family experience that we all remember with joy!