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Eclipsed: Solar Eclipses: Home

Eclipse Path 2017

Eclipse Diagram

Image source: National Geographic

Eclipse Events at Willamette

Image source: Willamette.edu

"The Great American Eclipse," the first solar eclipse to touch the continental United States since 1979, occurred right here in Salem on the morning of August 21st (10:18 a.m.).  The University gathered on the north lawn at 8 a.m.; eclipse began just after 9 a.m. and the totality began at 10:17 a.m. which lasted for almost two minutes.  

Thursday, Aug. 17 — 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 187:00 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 197:30 p.m.

Monday, Aug. 218 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Willamette University Eclipse Gear

Purchase your official Willamette University glow-in-the-dark eclipse T-shirts and posters online or at the events above while supplies last. All items must be picked up in person at the above events or on the first floor of the Putnam University Center, 11:30 a.m.—1:30 p.m. today through Friday.

For details about these events and more at Willamette visit: http://willamette.edu/175/events/signature-events/2017-solar-eclipse/index.html

Preparation for the Event

Marion County and City of Salem have teamed up to provide local information about the Great Eclipse.  Their web page is https://salemareaeclipse.info

Helpful tips for health, safety, and preparedness:

  • Go grocery shopping early and have a week's worth of food on hand.
  • Fill fuel tanks of all your vehicles.
  • Refill prescriptions ahead of time.
  • Avoid scheduling doctor or dentist appointments between peak days.
  • Stock up on pet food and supplies.
  • Expect extremely long commute times. Highways and major arterial roads will operate above capacity.
  • Conserve water.  Avoid "extra" water use & water lawns during this time.
  • Conserve electricity by unplugging electronics when not in use.
  • Get cash to have on hand in case ATMs experience down times.
  • Overall, exercise patience.

USPS Forever Stamp

When heat is placed on this unique stamp the moon covering the Sun appears.  This stamp was specifically designed for this event.

Inspired Art

Onlooker Watches Solar Eclipse

How to Safely See the Best Total Solar Eclipse in a Century

Number one rule: Safety!  YOU WILL LITERALLY BURN YOUR EYES IF YOU LOOK AT THE SUN AND CAUSE PERMANENT EYE DAMAGE OR EVEN BLINDNESS.  

Remember how a magnifying glass focuses light on a spot to burn something?  Your eyes are curved lens; they will do the exact same thing.  It will concentrate the Sun's light onto a very small spot on the back of your eye called the retina, and it will quickly burn your retina causing permanent damage. There are no pain receptors inside your eye, so you will not feel the heat or damage occur.  

The only time you can look directly at the Sun is when the moon completely blocks the face of the Sun, during totality, which lasts from a few seconds to a few minutes.  

1. Pinhole Projector

Use or make a long box by taping together multiple boxes. Cut a one-inch hole in the center of one end of the long box, tape a piece of tin foil over the hole, and poke a small hole in the foil with a pin.  At the other end of the box, cut a good-sized viewing hole in the side of the box, and then put a piece of white paper inside at the end of the box.  Then aim the foil end of the box toward the sun so that you can see the spot of light on the piece of white paper.  

Image sources: Exploratorium.edu & Sky and Telescope

2. Binocular "Pinhole" (more advanced)
Watch the video below to see how this is made.  A more crude method is to cover one lens of a binocular with your hand and shine the reflected light onto the ground or piece of paper.  Remember to NEVER look at the sun through binoculars! 


Video source: News.nationalgeographic.com

Image Source: Sky and Telescope (Aug 2017)

3. Eclipse Glasses

Eclipse Glasses are the easiest and one of the most safest ways to observe an eclipse and relatively cheap ($12 for pack of 5). Make sure that the glasses meet safety standards.  They should have "ISO 12312-2" printed on them and they would be made in 2015 or after.  Most welding goggles aren't that heavy duty.  They must be at shade 14 and highter to be dark enough to meet transmittance requirements (ISO 12312-2). 

4. Quick and Easy Viewing Options

Use your hands.  Hold up both hands with your fingers overlapping at right angles.  The holes between your fingers make pinholes. 

Use a tree.  Shade trees have patches of light that break through the branches and leaves and make pools of light.  

 

5. Use items with holes

Use a cheese grader, colander, aluminum pop can tab, paper with a round hole punch.  Most items with small holes will work!  

6. Use two pieces of cardboard or paper.

Cut a one-inch hole in one piece of cardboard, then hold it over the other piece of cardboard.

 

Image source: Exploratorium.edu

During a Total Eclipse

The drop in temperature is very noticeable during an eclipse, and the amount depends on your location, length of eclipse, and amount the Sun is covered.  The graph above shows a 16 degree drop over a 90 minute period at Antarctica. The most dramatic temperature drop occurs during eclipse totality.  

The satellite image below shows the shadow case by the moon (lunar shadow).  

Inspired Food Art (Pinterest)

Sun cookies with an oregon moon covering them

Image source: OrbitOregon.org

Chocolate popcorn covered with blue and pink candy string.

Image Source: Pinterest

Hot dogs wrapped in dough on a stick with cheese on the end.

Image source: Pinterest

Donuts with blue icing.

Image source: Pinterest

Blue colored cupcakes.

Image source: Pinterst

Sun and moon on a cake.

Image source: Pinterest

Sunshine cupcake made with candy corns on top.

Image source: Pinterest

blue/star candied apple

Image source: Pinterest

cookie with different stage bites in it resembling the eclipse

Image source: Pinterest