The Boston Diaries

Sunday, August 20, 2017

The eclipse is not the only thing to see on Monday

In less than two weeks, millions of Americans will witness day turn to night as the moon blocks out the light from the sun, but there is more to the celestial spectacle than many think.

While all attention will be on the sun and the moon, many people's surroundings will change during the brief moments of totality.

Subtle differences may be noticed in areas that only experience a partial solar eclipse, but much bigger changes will take place along the narrow path from Oregon to South Carolina that see a total eclipse of the sun.

Via GoogleLinkedMyFaceInSpaceBookPlus, 5 surprising effects the total solar eclipse will have besides darkness

I've recently heard about the “shadow bands” (#5 on the list), but it never occurred to me that Mercury would be visible.

Planning for a shadow event

In the parking lot of the Red House Inn was an odd sight indeed:

[Mama always told me not to look into the eyes of the sun. But mama, that's where the fun is.]

A chap from England was set up in the parking lot, testing out his small telescope, with sun filters. We chatted a bit, and he let me look at the sun through his telescope. It was cool seeing the activity on the sun, a few sunspots and even a solar flare or two.

I attempted to get a picture of the sun with the iPhone, but it had trouble focusing through the lens.