To ask Mumsnetters across the pond what they make of the SM hype around the solar eclipse,

[MistressoftheDarkSide]

Genuinely interested to hear opinions and thoughts having seen everything from aliens to the rapture being referenced on YouTube etc.

I can sort of understand the commercial opportunity angle and the need to manage infrastructure around towns on the oath etc, but some of the batshittery seems extreme and I wonder how those living around the path are feeling ?

I don't recall this level of preparation or interest in other eclipses - but I suppose it's just a sign of the times? Not the end times, obviously 😆 just the world we live in.

Colour me intrigued.

This was the last one. https://www.abc.net.au/news/search?query=exmouth%20eclipse It was a long way to go for just about everyone.

A little underwhelming where I lived as we had full cloud cover and only a partial eclipse anyway. But still very cool.

Edit: but whatever the situation, Russell Grant can only make it worse.

I saw a full eclipse once in France back in 1999. We were lucky to get a small pitch for our tent. It was a good collective shared experience. We had the radio on and could hear the excitement in the UK. The birds reacted and then a shadow came across the Channel.

It was a good experience.

I've read from a few sources including the BBC that the 1999 eclipse was only visible at 100% from Cornwall. That's not right because it was also 100% in Devon. I was in Paignton (Devon) and although the weather was cloudy, it still went night for about 2 minutes.

I hadn't heard anything about the eclipse until today; I saw a BBC news article mention it in my Google feed thing this morning.

Solar eclipses need to be 100% to be worth seeing. Everything else is meh.

But a cloudless 100% is one of natures greatest spectacles. You get the darkness. The incredible blackness of the moon. The photosphere around the sun, solar prominences. Stars plus a number of other effects like the diamond ring and baileys beads.

Photos simply don't do it justice. It is an incredibly difficult event to capture.

The one coming up is also at a relative high point in solar activity so there should be plenty of interesting stuff to see around the sun.

I would definitely recommend seeing a total solar eclipse once in your life. They are fantastic. A partial ? They happen in the UK every 5-10 years or so and are bang average.

I have seen two total eclipses, the European on in 1999 (I went to France because I knew Cornwall would be crowded and quite possibly overclouded) and the last great one in the US in Idaho, which was 2016 or 2017 - can't remember which - and will probably try to see the one in northern portugal or the straight of gibralter one that are both coming up in the next few years.

I'm in Canada. I haven't really heard anything about it. No one around me is talking about it, not seen anything on social media. I had an email from one of my kids' schools to say kids will go out for regular recess but will be inside during eclipse time. I don't think we're getting a good 'view' of it where I am.

I have a friend who has travelled to the states to see it. Very excited! Just because you don't feel it doesn't mean everyone feels the same.

I'm not on social media much, so can't speak to that. It's been on the news, mainly focused on what not to do for eye safety reasons. Local schools have announced that it will be an excused absence if any parents want to keep their children home or pick them up early.

Yes I remember huge levels of excitement from the medianaround this, and then it was pretty underwhelming

There’s a solar eclipse happening?

I’m in the path of total eclipse. School is shut and we have remote learning (I’ve hired one of the teachers to come and help me!). I’m over it. I have major deadlines at work so I’m working over the weekend because Monday and Tuesday will be a mess.

You can not get a hotel room and I have no idea where people plan to be for this but I’m in a high rise with unobstructed views and my own roof deck I normally never let the kids use. I’m making an exception for this and senior people at work invited themselves over to my place because of the roof deck. Heading to Costco shortly to get the food sorted.

I read the difference between a 100% and a 99.9% eclipse is like a peck on the cheek compared to a night of passion 😂 so can understand people in the totality zone being excited.

Yes I saw it in Devon. Not far from Shaldon

I remember the last solar eclipse here - yes it was bonkers. I took the day off work. It was really weird when the eclipse happened - shadows were crazy and the chill! the birds all stopped singing too.

I was in Paignton, sitting on the steps at the seafront with lots of other people.

We were in central London.

I was in Exminster and saw it there. In 1999 social media were still in the future but even so the internet and traditional information sources were wall-to-wall eclipse.

We had one in western North Carolina several years ago, and it was really cool - all the automatic lighting turned on on my campus and the crickets started chirping. It's going to be 87% on Monday, so I don't know how that will be in comparison. People are moderately excited here but I think the previous one was fuller so they aren't completely excited.

An American Facebook page I follow posted a warning that all animals should be kept inside because the sun will damage their eyes and dogs will panic.

It’s batshit, but it’s the only one I’ve seen.

This thread is the first time I've seen it mentioned

Haha!

Fascinating isn’t it, how animals can behave during such events.

Same!

I do think it’s worth thinking about how areas that are usually incredibly unpopulated and full of wildlife will be when suddenly crowds descend.

Where I’m going to be there are a lot of black bears that will be just coming out of hibernation, and they typically come out at night. We also have a lot of coyotes that come out at night. The police are just saying to be aware and steer clear.

I’m not worried about my dog looking at the sun, but I am aware that there might be wildlife about that could freak him out somewhat. He’s met a bear before and he didn’t like it…

Yes - I saw a partial eclipse a few years ago and it was fun, but I’m really excited for this full eclipse, especially as I’m in an area that’s predicted full sunshine that day.