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.
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Panel Discussion: "Eclipses, Earthquakes, Tsunamis, and Volcanoes: Can History Prepare Us?"
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Willamette Heritage Center, 1313 Mill St. SE. Cosponsored by Willamette History Department.
Friday, Aug. 18 — 7:00 p.m.
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Hudson Hall, Rogers Music Center.
Saturday, Aug. 19 — 7:30 p.m.
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Shotski’s Woodfired Pizza, 1230 State St.
Monday, Aug. 21— 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
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Eclipse Viewing Event with science demonstrations, food concessions by Bon Appetit, pop-up shop by The Willamette Store and free eclipse glasses (while supplies last).
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Willamette University North Lawn, overflow on the Quad
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
Image source: News.nationalgeographic.com
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).
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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.
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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!
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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).
