Total Solar Eclipse 2024 Community of Practice

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  • 1.  October 14, 2023 eclipse

    Posted 12-07-2023 18:10

    Although the October 14, 2023 eclipse was just a 22% partial for us, we planned a viewing event then to test out our plans for the upcoming April total, where we are right on the centerline of the path of totality. 

    Unfortunately, October 14 was virtually total overcast, so our event was officially cancelled. However, we did set up both a projection telescope and an electronic telescope and were treated to a few brief 1-2 minute glimpses of the partial eclipse through a few quickly moving breaks in the clouds. Even though the media announced the cancellation of our event, 20 people still showed up and all had at least a glimpse of the partially obscured moon - including right at our 22% peak.

    This did test out our telescopic plans for April 8, right at our planned viewing site - Thompson Park in Watertown, which overlooks the city.



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    Stephen Karon
    Executive Director
    Sci-Tech Museum
    Watertown NY
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  • 2.  RE: October 14, 2023 eclipse

    Posted 12-07-2023 18:13

    Whoops, should have said the partially obscured Sun



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    Stephen Karon
    Executive Director
    Sci-Tech Museum
    Watertown NY
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  • 3.  RE: October 14, 2023 eclipse

    Posted 12-14-2023 13:23

    What a great way to test it out for the total solar eclipse in April. Since you'll be in the path of totality but weather is unpredictable this far out, do you have alternate plans for poor visibility on April 8? How does it look different for a total eclipse than being in the path of partiality?



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    Shannon Sullivan
    Senior Manager of Programs
    ASTC
    Washington DC
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: October 14, 2023 eclipse

    Posted 12-14-2023 18:34

    Yes, we've planned for poor weather, especially since over the past 25 years it has been overcast more than 60% of the April 8ths in Watertown - or even heavy snow.

    As a backup plan, we'll have the NASA feed on a large outdoor screen, regardless of the weather.

    The partial eclipse looked much the same as the early or late stage of a total eclipse - part of the sun's disk was obscured, in our case just about 1/4 of the Sun.



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    Stephen Karon
    Executive Director
    Sci-Tech Museum
    Watertown NY
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    Original Message