By Gary Parkerson, Managing Editor Astronomy Technology Today
If you live on the mainland U.S., and you are at all like me, you’re already counting the seconds until the August 21, 2017, total eclipse of the Sun … as in, there is literally a countdown timer in the corner of my workstation’s main display that reads 69 days, 00 hours, 48 minutes, and 33 … no, 28 … no, 22 seconds, and counting.
If you live on the mainland U.S., and you are at all like me, your most-humble and -sincere prayers have included, “Please let me live long enough to see it,” … as in, the August 21, 2017, total eclipse of the Sun will be the biggest U.S.-centric astronomy event of your and my astro-centric lifetimes.
And if you live on the mainland U.S., and you are at all like me, you’re going to wait until too late to get ready … as in, you’re going to wish you’d bought multiple white-light solar filters, or even better, that Hα rig you’ve had your heart set on, before they were all gone.
That’s right, you’re going to want white-light filters for your binoculars and for at least one of your favorite telescopes, because you’ve got friends and family who will be looking to you to serve up a maximum eclipse experience. And you’re going to want that Hα rig, too, because, if not then, when?
But our favorite industry is already confronted with uncharacteristically-mainstream demand, and backorders are now the rule rather than the exception. Bottom line: If you expect to receive a shipment of the good stuff before August 20, 2017, you’d best get your orders in now.
And we are here to help! We have created the The Definitive Equipment Guide to Viewing The 2017 Solar Eclipse, a 40 page publication which covers a wide range of options people have to use technology to actively participate in the eclipse including using your smart phone, DSLRs, astronomy telescopes, Solar telescopes, binoculars, Solar filters and much more. We also offer an extensive resource section to help you find the equipment you need.
The map included here is courtesy of eclipse-maps.com.
In 69 days, 00 hours, 39 minutes, and 54 … no, 49 seconds, don’t be at all like me. Get solar ready now.