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Awe and unity as we pause. Vermont’s the spot. 80% eclipse visibility in Rhode Island. Ready?
Are you ready? If you planned ahead you have your protective glasses (1,000 times stronger than regular sunglasses). Look for this marking on the glasses to know you have approved ones: ISO 12312-2. If you didn’t you might be looking for a colander or a cardboard box, some foil, tape and a pin!
Hearing some libraries and stores like Durfee’s in Cranston may still have glasses.
Over 35 million Americans live in the path of the eclipse. Northern New England will have the most perfect total eclipse watching area with Burlington, Vermont designated THE spot. While some key states are now predicting rain or clouds, Burlington would have no more than 10%, if any. We’ll see about 80% or so here in the greater Rhode Island area. Weather looks good, too – the first “A” day in quite some time, according to our weatherman.
Second chances may not come in our lifetime – leave your thoughts for the next gen
A sobering thought is that a 3 year old will be 58 the next time an eclipse like this comes around – and maybe they will be doing what we are doing today with their own children or even grandchildren. So write down some notes about your experience, put them away with your glasses and a few news reports, and leave your own eclipse time capsule for them.
A good educational site is provided by NASA.
Twilight twitters
While our friends up north and in the path of the total eclipse may have 6 or so minutes of complete darkness, it’s watching it descend on us that is the most spectacular. Our day will dim, and that will extend for a few hours – we can expect to feel the temperatures drop – and the birds get confused into twilight twitters.
No room in any inn up north
If you travel up north, plan to drive up, experience it all, and drive back because there is not a room, not a B&B, not an elegant hotel room or an ugly one to be had. If you drive, know there will be intense traffic. Charge your EVs, your phones, bring water, snacks, change of clothes, and meds – just in class your stay becomes an in-your-car camping trip at a rest stop.
Big money as the eclipse event is projected to deliver a $6 Billion infusion to the US economy—not far off the combined impact of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour ($5.7 billion) and the 2023 Super Bowl ($1.3 billion).
As a matter of “sad” fact, according to the VT Digger, “hotel rooms in Chittenden County this weekend are booking for about $500 a night. The state currently pays motels and hotels $80 a night to shelter unhoused Vermonters. Three lodging establishments that shelter unhoused Vermonters have told the state they would not accept state vouchers in the days leading up to the eclipse…”
Furry friends at home
Pets who are outdoors should be ok – they will follow your lead to be stressed or nervous or not. As the skies darken the birds may grow quieter thinking nighttime has come early – only to resume their chatter when the sun gets brighter. Atmosphere sensitive dogs and cats will probably feel it, inntuitives that they are, so, just like you do with fireworks, make them feel all is well.
Set your alarm – or you might just miss it!
Work in a big old building with fake light? Take an afternoon nap? Set your alarm for 2pm, or you just might work or sleep or type right through it! If you can’t get outside watch any of the television shows – including where in Indianapolis, 500,000 are gathered to watch the big event – narrated at the point of totality by William Shatner! 1 million people are gathering at Niagara Falls.
The key time here will be from 3:25 p.m. and 3:35 p.m. – but the partial eclipse will begin at 2:16 p.m. and end at 4:39 p.m. with maximum (80 to about 93%) occurring at 3:29 p.m.
How to make a pinhole viewer – or use a colander!