Anyone skipping this eclipse thing then?

[hotmumshit]

Didnt know it was happening until yesterday

Broke until payday - cannot buy the glasses

Autistic 7yo will not understand nor care

Will just stick it on the telly and call it a day

Have LOVED saying 'full moon, half moon, total eclipse' to myself though 😄😩

I asked DS to make a pinhole camera.
I think the sun will go out before that’s done, so I’ll go out with my colander.
He IS cooking dinner this evening so he is forgiven. I might be out on my bike [ponders whether colander can double as helmet]

I mean, I'm out in the garden with my watering can at that time, but I won't have a clear view of the sun, there are trees in the way (not that I have special glasses), so it'll probably just be a bit weirdly gloomy. And then not. I'd have to go out somewhere to see it clearly, and I can't be bothered! I truly don't see the point of the pinhole camera. Might as well watch it on the TV 🤷🏻 I'd feel differently if I had children who were interested.

It starts at 6pm so you should be able to see at least some of it because sunset isn’t til around 8.30pm. As a poster upthread said, if you’re viewing it through a colander, be careful you don’t strain your eyes !!

The 1999 one wasn’t that great as it was cloudy and we only had a small percentage. Cornwall was good apparently, but the weather let it down.
No such worries today

We don't have a TV and only have Facebook which is mostly pregnancy and farm animal orientated.

I remember the 1999 one. It was earlier in the day and it was weird. The actual coverage was very visible but what I remember most was the atmosphere when it darkened - the birds went silent and it was dusk in the middle of the day. It definitely leaves an impression.

This will be my fifth or sixth eclipse, total, partial or annular. For me, it never gets old. I find it awe inspiring, especially a total.
I had to frantically search through various stuff in a filing cabinet to find the eclipse glasses. Finally found them, thank goodness.
I'm watching from the UK this year but we are booked for southern Spain for the total next year.
Happy (and safe) viewing!

If it meant the sun being turned down I would be all for it

It’s bloody well clouded over here. Boiling hot in the low thirties but cloudy skies having been clear and sunny all day. Bugger !!

I didn't know about the HaleBop comet. I was stood on my parent's back doorstep smoking a spliff and when i saw it i nearly shat myself. There was no social media back then, and i was too busy spending the money from my first job and enjoying myself with no responsibilities. TV did not figure in my lifestyle.

Is ‘Annular’ the ring of fire eclipse ? If so I’m very envious !!

Never got round to buying glasses. Our local astronomy group are putting out their special equipment for free, for the public to view it.
When the planets were lined up last year they did the same thing at night. It was amazing to see them, so would love to go today for the eclipse, but just way too hot for me.

This entire autistic family was really excited until we ascertained that we no longer had eclipse glasses and my 2 hour effort to make a pinhole camera completely bombed. Cannot workout why all I can see is a circular light.

Can you not just put a pinhole in a piece of cardboard ?

Yeah, I wondered why there was a weird totally irrelevant gif too.

@hotmumshit Don't watch it if you don't want to, no-one is forcing you to.

We've come all the way to majorca to experience the total eclipse. So we will most definitely be making the effort to watch

I’ve been sat indoors this afternoon with my curtains closed and fan full on trying to stay cool, as lounge is west facing. Thinking I’ll probably notice if it goes a bit dark - I’m too old to be getting excited/bothered by it!

Yes, did that - pinhole in one end of a cardboard the box, viewing hole next to it, bit of plain white paper at the end for a screen. Just a circle (of light through the pin hole), no upside down image at the other end. Tried new pin holes, longer box, shorter box etc. Am buggered if I can make it work.

I'm in Finland, its starts at 8pm and the peak isn't until about 8:45 and sunset is half 9. I just went outside to check where the sun is and its too cloudy to see anyway! Plus pretty sure its behind the buildings now.

Not something i fuss about but its book club at mine tonight and its the first time in this house I’ve managed an outdoor one!

There was one when kids were in primary school in midlands - I was home alone and did the colander thing while kids did it all in school with glasses.

The birds going quite late morning did feel odd not sure so late in evening it will feel as different.

I don't remember any before that or any fuss about them in media. DH seems excited but I'm not that bothered. and DD2 only found out today - she only one who tends to ignore media and gets news via her mates.

Free glasses from who?

If you’re using a colander, make sure you don’t strain your eyes……

It's looking like it will be cloudy here. But will be outdoors anyway so eill see it getting dark then light again before the sun sets

I"m going to a show later, so I'll probably miss it.

DD will probably be driving when it happens and was a bit anxious about driving during an eclipse. I reminded her that her car has lights and suggested she turn them on.