Ping
> This will be the first total solar eclipse in the continental U.S. in 38 years. The last one occurred February 26, 1979. Unfortunately, not many people saw it because it clipped just five states in the Northwest and the weather for the most part was bleak. Before that one, you have to go back to March 7, 1970.
I’ve seen three, hmm, four solar eclipses, including the 1979 one, one in my childhood (early 1960s), one during the 1980s, hmm (rustling sound), okay, I’ve seen more than four. I never look at the Sun, relying on either a camera obscura (including one my dad made just for us kids during that one in the early 1960s) or watching the “nervous” shadows of the trees’ leaves on the ground. Eclipses are cool, but brief. ;’) Even the more common annular eclipses are kind of neat. Frankly though, I’d rather witness another big bolide come through the atmosphere. I don’t expect to see another one in my lifetime. Thanks henkster, extra to APoD!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_solar_eclipses_visible_from_the_United_States