2017-08-21

Total Solar Eclipse

Total Solar Eclipse    
Monday August 21 a total solar eclipse will transpire. My hometown is in the direct path. The weather is projected to be cloudy.

In that thing which substitutes for infinite wisdom, I have decided to forego work on Monday in an effort to avoid the influx of eclipse viewers who will either be ecstatic or in various stages of disappointment and/or rage secondary to cloud cover at some inopportune time.

Interstate traffic has been heavy the few days prior to the eclipse and it is my understanding that a lot of tourist dollars have infused into the area as the result of this event. I sure hope there isn't a disappointing show for all the people coming for the astronomical fete.

As for me ... I intend to kick back and perhaps take in a bit of the ole NASA streaming or some other relevant high definition news source available.

Ready or not, weather or not ... it's not going to be stopping just because some aspect of the environment may not be ideal.

West Columbia, South Carolina, USA
August 21, 2017
Total solar eclipse visible (100.00% solar coverage)
Magnitude1.0114
Duration2 hours, 53 minutes, 11 seconds
Totality2 minutes, 30 seconds
Partial begins1:13:06 pm
Full begins2:41:48 pm
Maximum2:43:03 pm
Full ends2:44:18 pm
Partial ends4:06:17 pm
Times shown in local time (EDT)