True. That begs the question, do we want to observe as a group or do we each want to find our own location? Sig On Mon, Apr 9, 2012 at 10:59 AM, <erikhansen@thebluezone.net> wrote:
at any rate, Kannaraville does not sound like the best place to me. I doubt NASA is right on this, but if they are it will be chaos. Is not the Kanarraville event being published in the local papers. The eclipse is visible in a large area, many places to choose.
That isn't the expectation expressed by David Ence, the Kanarraville
clerk. They have never hosted an event. They like being in a small town almost off the map. They have been told by NASA to expect 5,000 +. Kannaraville isn't big enough to supply a lot of locals. Most I suspect will step out of their house and go Hmmm or ho hum.
It's the visitors I'm concerned about. IF NASA is right, Kanarraville will be swamped. They will need to organize the parking. Not everyplace on the field is suitable for telescope placement. There are a few prime spots. Some that offer the limited shade of a small tree. They also need to designate driving lanes. They have a lot of work in front of them is they don't want to have total chaos.
The 1,000 sq ft per car is just an estimate on our part. It's an average that would include common areas, i.e., driving lanes. The actual useable space per car may be in the 600 sq ft range. We will talk to David again to get a better idea.
Renting an RV or a trailer and heading west of Newcastle is looking better all the time.
Sig
On Mon, Apr 9, 2012 at 9:41 AM, <erikhansen@thebluezone.net> wrote:
All times mentioned are local daylight silly time.
Sunset is 8:36 PM, an hour after central eclipse end. I get about 1 hour 10 mins to 4th contact.
this is for Bryce 1st contact 6:23 start of central eclipse 7:31:31, max eclipse 7:33:41, end of central eclipse 7:35:51.
These times are similar in most Utah locations it will be the horizon that matters.
I suspect Kanarraville will have a lot of locals but few serious astronomers which of course will put a lot of demand on those that have proper equipment for viewing eclipse.
There seems to be a lot of bad information and misconceptions circulating
about the timing of this eclipse from southern Utah. For example, from here at Bryce, the eclipse does indeed "end" just a few minutes before sunset. However, the end referred to is 4th contact, or the moment when the Moon's shadow finally leaves the limb of the Sun, nearly an hour after the end of the annular phase. Someone else can look up the precise timing and elevation of the sun above the horizon at 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th contacts, but it's certainly placed high enough for great observing before, during and after annularity, both visually and photographically.
The graphic that Patrick shared proves for me just how unreasonable and unnecessary it is to place oneself right on the centerline for this eclipse. Unless you just have to have that photo of the Moon perfectly centered within the ring of sunlight, then the choices discussed here (e.g. Kanarraville) are not so important. Factor that with the poor preparation for large crowds at some locations and it just doesn't make sense to go there.
Bryce Canyon NP is offering at least three public observing areas, lots of parking, informed interpreters to share the experience with the public, and evening lectures after the eclipse.
But go ahead, go to California or Kanarraville. ;-)
Kim
-----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Patrick Wiggins Sent: Sunday, April 08, 2012 8:45 PM To: Utah Astronomy Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Sieg's eclipse site scouting trip
Hi Craig,
Sunset times will vary depending on local horizons but you can get a fair guesstimate using this interactive map which NASA set up for the eclipse:
http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEgoogle/SEgoogle2001/SE2012May20Agoogle.html
For Kanarraville it shows the end of annularity at about 01:36:04 UTC
at
which time the Sun will be about 11 degrees above a flat horizon. Considering Kanarraville's horizon in the direction of the eclipse has been surveyed to be a few degrees high the Sun will set only a few minutes after the end of annularity.
patrick
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