Weather ... again

[Loup-garou]

Yes - too many hills in all directions here. However, we did see seven baby sanglier going in and out of a maize field. We moved swiftly on in case Mum or Dad was near.

[demi]

I watched it with my grandchildren (& glasses). Very impressive, especially the strange dim light & longest shadows I've ever seen. And the temperature dropped about 3 degrees & a cool wind sprung up. I now really want to see a total eclipse!

[L Austin France]

What Eclipse?
Mme & me sat out with a range of pinhole cameras I'd cobbled together in anticipation of a good show.
Despite a full view of the sun all we noticed was an almost imperceptible darkening.
Bit of a disappointment really.

[Bayleaf]

Using the black glass from a welding "hat" worked brilliantly - we had to keep walking up our field to stay in the sun, but saw most of it in small doses (didn't want to keep staring - it was about 40 minutes' worth!). Pretty much saw the much praised "wedding ring" shot as well, when just a sparkle remains at the top.

The surrounding area didn't get as dark as I expected, but it was quite eery for a while, and animals noticeably quieter.

Glad I made the effort now!

[MAD87]

I closed the shutters and went to bed! Can't risk what's left of my sight.

[Hotrodder]

I was less successful with an automatic welding helmet. It worked fine until about 30% coverage. At that point the brightness dropped below that required to trigger the lens so we had to give up and go back indoors in front of the fan. That short partial eclipse ticks the box for me. The last eclipse (1999) and pretty much every other celestial event has been obscured by clouds. The one exception was the passing of the comet Hale-Bopp in 1995. I have yet to see any of the regular meteor showers due to cloud cover where I have been living.

[Bayleaf]

I was less successful with an automatic welding helmet. It worked fine until about 30% coverage. At that point the brightness dropped below that required to trigger the lens so we had to give up and go back indoors in front of the fan.

We also have one of those, but OH said - as you point out - that the lens wouldn't get triggered enough. We shared/took turns looking through the little black glass, and I also had dark, prescription glasses on.

The previous eclipse in 1999; it was afternoon and I was at work at a papermill in Devon - we were all trying to use the pin prick through the paper method, but it was too cloudy. I was more interested in the little pile of guano by the door, telling everyone what excellent fertilizer it was! It's the little memories that count!

[exile]

Hmmmmm

Welding visors? Too late now, but they do not provide adequate protection for the eyes when looking at the sun.
Very good for cutting out UV light, but hopeless at protecting against IR radiation.

[ajm]

Non event for us as well

[Blaze]

Saw it very briefly - few seconds - with borrowed glasses, when it was around its highest point. The light leading up to it was strange, very high contrast. Interesting but looking at people's photos does it for me.