Astra’s Guide to the Total Solar Eclipse

Find out about the April 8, 2024 eclipse from Astra's Eclipse Guide !

News for August 21 Total Solar Eclipse

#CelestialCircumstances@Totality

#EclipseSafetyWarning

NASA has issued a warning about unsafe paper eclipses glasses. Visit the NASA Eclipse Safety page or download the text of the warning here. (courtesy Suzie Dills and Starry Trails.)

Please be sure that your glasses meet the ISO 12312-2 standard.

#EclipseStamps

On April 27, 2017 the United State Postal Serve (USPS) announced the issuance of a first-of-its-kind stamp that changes when you touch it. The Total Solar Eclipse forever stamp, commemorates the August 21 eclipse. The image of the eclipsed sun transforms into the image of the Moon from the heat of a finger.

The first day of issue is scheduled for June 20, 1:30 p.m. (MT). A First-Day-of-Issue ceremony will take place at the Art Museum of the University of Wyoming (UW) in Laramie.

Find out more at Total Eclipse of the Sun to be commemorated on a Forever Stamp - - USPS press release

#Science News for Students

Getting Ready for the Solar Eclipse.

This article provides an excellent overview of the Aug 21 eclipse. Explanations of eclipse phenomena, solar and lunar science, and human reactions to totality are all included in this article. It also discusses the Eclipse Ballooning Project. Project scientists will launch more than 100 weather balloons at various stations along the path of totality. From about 30 km or 18 miles) above the ground the project provide live feeds from a vantage point for those who can’t make it to the eclipse path. The balloons will make scientific measurements as well. In addition to the professionals, more than 50 teams of high school and college students will launch balloons with cameras.

The intended audience is student aged 9 to 14, but others may enjoy learning about this eclipse or other technical subjects through this award winning website. Science News for Students publishes daily articles.

Astra's Solar Eclipse Experiences

As an amateur astronomer I love eclipses. Not just solar eclipses, but also lunar eclipses. I have no tally for the number of lunar eclipses I have observed. I only know that the double digits years of this millenium were like living in an eclipse desert from my home location. The first solar eclipse I observed was back in the 70's when I was a kid. In my location, there was only a partial. I have experienced 2 total solar eclipses, each time I wrote up my experiences and they are still available at the Stargate.

1998 Antigua island - - 2m 30s of totality

1991 Baja California - - About 7 minutes of totality near the centerline.

1994 Waseoun, Ohio - - Annular eclipse from the centerline.

Here's some information for observing the eclipse from the Cleveland, Ohio area.

This space is reserved for eclipse stories from others

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Share your Experiences and Dreams @ Astra's Star Gate

Astra loves collaborations with eclipse chasers, amateur astronomers, and others. Send in your links or provide information that can be incorporated into Astra's Guide to the Total Solar Eclipse August 2017. Each state has its own section and we will be happy to include your event on our site if appropriate. Use our contact page for mailing information.

- - TIA, Astra.