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yaxomoxay

macrumors 604
Mar 3, 2010
7,417
34,216
Texas

vipergts2207

macrumors 601
Apr 7, 2009
4,368
9,722
Columbus, OH
How often does a total solar eclipse happen?

On average, a total solar eclipse happens every 18 months, but there's often just less than a year between them.
According to a paper published in 1982 by Belgian astronomer Jean Meeus, a total solar eclipse occurs in the same place on the planet once every 375 years, on average


Planet-wide they're not an especially rare phenomenon. It's just that from any one location they really are. Even with as big as the continental U.S. is, there was a 38-year drought from 1979 to 2017 where totality could not be seen from here. That's essentially a two-generation gap where most hadn't had an opportunity to see one. The 7-year gap from 2017 to 2024 was relatively small by comparison. Now we wait another 20 years for the next one. Though there will be another one the very next year in 2045 as well, so a very short gap then. One could travel the globe catching them, though that's an expensive proposition to most.
 

NoBoMac

Moderator
Staff member
Jul 1, 2014
5,827
4,433
Planet-wide they're not an especially rare phenomenon. It's just that from any one location they really are. Even with as big as the continental U.S. is, there was a 38-year drought from 1979 to 2017 where totality could not be seen from here. That's essentially a two-generation gap where most hadn't had an opportunity to see one.

This.

And throw in if one moves from their home state, or not, and if does not travel to one, might not see any significant eclipse in their lifetime.

Per this list, quick scan, Iowa for example, has not had any meaninful eclipse in all of 1900s. Won't get an annular until 2048. Colorado will have a gap of 127 years between totals. Arizona will be skunked for totals for 200 years (had some annulars, next annular is 2077 for them).
 

Nermal

Moderator
Staff member
Dec 7, 2002
20,665
4,087
New Zealand
We had one over here back in 1991, and there's apparently a partial one next year, and then a total in 2028. My place isn't in the totality zone, so it's a question of whether to take a trip to the deep south (1300 km/800 miles) in the middle of winter for it...
 

rabaak

macrumors newbie
Aug 9, 2016
10
63
This was from Crawfordsville Indiana
 

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Scepticalscribe

macrumors Haswell
Jul 29, 2008
64,160
46,602
In a coffee shop.
Very partial; however, alas, there was the (inevitable) cloud cover - an occupational hazard of our part of the world, which meant that even the partial eclipse was not visible.
 

obeygiant

macrumors 601
Original poster
Jan 14, 2002
4,184
4,101
totally cool
Just got back from the trip. Fantastic view. We had thin layer of clouds which impeded the details of the corona but it still was an incredible sight. Totality lasted 3 minutes 54 seconds

I sat with it for about a minute watching it just sizzle in the sky. A large prominence at the bottom had everyone around gasping.

My equipment was a Canon 6DM2 400mm and Canon video camera on the Polarie star tracker
 

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Doctor Q

Administrator
Staff member
Sep 19, 2002
39,845
7,693
Los Angeles
I spent a lot to take my family from Los Angeles to Dallas, Texas for the eclipse. I made the reservations a year in advance because I suspected that transportation and lodging would be sold out all around Dallas.

Our ultimate success depended on the cloud cover, so we were biting our nails as the moon crossed in front of the sun, peeking in and out of the clouds. Then the clouds cleared, just in time, 10 minutes before totality, and we had a clear view from then on.

We had stationed ourselves so that we'd see the eclipse over the top of the iconic Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge, getting there early to snag a prime viewing spot. The photo below, from dallasnews.com, shows what we saw, including Venus (visible on the right). Jupiter was visible to us too.

It was an absolutely breathtaking experience: seeing the world darken, feeling the temperature drop and the wind change, seeing a sunset effect in all directions, and looking at the corona without special glasses for 3 minutes and 52 seconds.

Overall, it was a fantastic experience. The science behind total eclipses isn't hard to explain, but the feeling you get is.

eclipse over the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge.jpg
 

Doctor Q

Administrator
Staff member
Sep 19, 2002
39,845
7,693
Los Angeles
This wasn't the first time that Dallas residents were in the path of totality during a total solar eclipse. Before last month's eclipse, it happened on July 29, 1878. Ah, yes, I remember it well! And I'll be sure to be there for the next one in Dallas, in the year 2317. :)
 

Apple fanboy

macrumors Ivy Bridge
Feb 21, 2012
55,497
53,341
Behind the Lens, UK
This wasn't the first time that Dallas residents were in the path of totality during a total solar eclipse. Before last month's eclipse, it happened on July 29, 1878. Ah, yes, I remember it well! And I'll be sure to be there for the next one in Dallas, in the year 2317. :)
Hate to burst your bubble, but the one in 2317 will be ruined by cloud cover.
 
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