PEELeclipse 2024

[on:]

Having just experienced my first total solar eclipse, I would love to see an eclipse with more than double the amount of totality that this one had.  And even better, see it with friends!  And as there have been one or two instances in the past where Peelers tended to procrastinate, I thought it best to get the ball rolling early.

The 2024 total solar eclipse is predicted to make landfall somewhere in Mexico, slice through Texas, then travel on up toward and bisecting New England.  Given that April weather in New England typically leaves a great deal to be desired, I suspect that the chances for good viewing conditions are likely far greater along the southwestern part of the path than the northeastern.  So why not rendezvous with the centre of the Lunar shadow in Texas?  Texas is big, flat, has a decent network of roads, lots of airports, and its hotel rates are notably lower than in most other states that I've visited.



If I am still among the living and physically able to travel, my intent is to book rooms at a couple of hotels in promising areas about a year out, then choose one of them when the time draws close, either as a viewing site or as a base of operations from where we can travel to a promising site.

Were you able to observe the eclipse that just occurred?  Did you experience its totality, watching the stars and planets come into view as the area around you darkened to nearly twilight, the only illumination being from the ghostly stark-white corona?  If not, I can assure you that you missed out on a profound event that you would have treasured for the rest of your life.  Don't miss this next one!

[Reply #1 on:]

It would be nice, but unless circumstances change drastically in the meantime, it's exceeding unlikely. Nice idea though.

[Reply #2 on:]

Thanks.  And a lot can change in seven years.  Which is why I set up the poll so people can change their votes

[Reply #3 on:]

I'll be near the path of totality. I'm thinking it might be worth venturing closer to the most wretched hive of scum and villainy in the galaxy to get a better view.

So I might be there. It depends on stuff.

[Reply #4 on:]

I like hives.

[Reply #5 on:]

I don't do much, so I'll probably be there.

[Reply #6 on:]

I *am* going, but I'll be really old, so you youngsters will have to cut me a little slack.

And I think you'll enjoy yourself, hanging with winna and Spacefan and whichever other Peelers can make it.  Oh, and you'll be old enough to enjoy a beer or two, if you so desire

[Reply #7 on:]

I'll be near the path of totality. I'm thinking it might be worth venturing closer to the most wretched hive of scum and villainy in the galaxy to get a better view.

Heh, took me a minute to figure out if you were talking about upstate NY/New England, or Texas. In any event, the northeastern part of the country would probably be better for me, as I hope to be living somewhere in that vicinity seven years from now. But assuming I have a stable career by 2024 (ugh, not likely) and the means to travel to Texas, I would probably be down.

[Reply #8 on:]

Yay!  New England weather in the springtime is often awful.  And there are two other reasons I've never moved back after having lived there twenty years: deathly cold, near-arctic winters, and summers with brutally wilting heat and humidity.

[Reply #9 on:]

I'll most likely still be in the New England area for at least the next 5-10 years, but would definitely make a trip out of it (if everything falls into place). Literally, who knows what will be happening in 2024. The only thing I know is that I'd have to take vacation from whatever job I'm at because it's again on a Monday (but that is better than the middle of the week?)

Either way, I think my boyfriend and I are going to plan to go to Texas anyway to see it, so I'd be down for meeting up, assuming I remember and keep in contact for the next 7 years heh.

[Reply #10 on:]

Wow, that's some shit talking of New England spring weather....but probably fair. I love New England spring weather, that's my comfort zone personally, but it is true that sometimes the winter cold extends further into April than it should.

Meanwhile, Texas weather is shit year-round.

[Reply #11 on:]

Fuck Houston

[Reply #12 on:]

Wow, that's some shit talking of New England spring weather....but probably fair.

Yeah, I lived in Maine from '65-'74, and Rhode Island from '75-'85.  Don't miss it

Either way, I think my boyfriend and I are going to plan to go to Texas anyway to see it, so I'd be down for meeting up, assuming I remember and keep in contact for the next 7 years heh.

Whelp, my contact info is in my profile, and I see "who to follow" suggestions for you in my twitter feed from time to time.  If Peel goes The Way of All Things, I'll definitely ping you there.

[Reply #13 on:]

Wow, that's some shit talking of New England spring weather....but probably fair. I love New England spring weather, that's my comfort zone personally, but it is true that sometimes the winter cold extends further into April than it should.

Meanwhile, Texas weather is shit year-round.

Oh dude, New England weather, period, is totally my comfort zone. I was made for the snow and the cold like a goddamn polar bear...or, you know, a snowblower or something. Texas--and all places where summer seems to last for more than 2 or 3 months, tops--sounds like a nightmare to me. I would brave it for you, PEEL friends, but consider yourselves forewarned that the heat might make me cranky.  

[Reply #14 on:]

If you happen to visit Texas, everyone has air conditioner.

[Reply #15 on:]

True, and spiders the size of your face. If that suits your fancy

[Reply #16 on:]

He waits.  When the sun falls to darkness deep in the day, he goes from his home to visit us in our dimension.

[Reply #17 on:]

We'll see how things pan out-- opinions of Texas aside, if all goes according to plan, I'll likely be in residency that year. Depends on where residency is and how strict they will be about letting their bright-eyed and bushy-tailed (HA!) residents take time off to travel. Also, good company makes Texas less dismal, and we have strength in numbers against the giant spiders.

[Reply #18 on:]

Yeah residency :/ one of the perks of med school lol, hopefully they won't be too strict on travel it'd be pretty awesome if we could all meet up

[Reply #19 on:]

Texas is gone now.  I vastly underestimated the hurricane, I just didn't know or think it could happen!  I was clearly wrong, so very wrong.  The hurricane took Texas; all of it is gone right on the line of its borders.  The hurricane wiped the state off the face of the planet completely!  I'm posting this from a carton of paper towels, floating in the ocean where Texas used to be.  I don't know how long my battery will hold out because of the tremendous power of this hurricane, which is still hurricaning behind me in the darkness of the night.  I see glimpses of it when the lightning flashes.  I don't know how I have kept my phone dry, there is rain absolutely everywhere spewing straight from this mighty hurricane I conpletely, utterly misjudged.  I was so so so so x infinity wrong about this; I have hurricane all over my face, I am so embarrassed by my mistake concerning this hurricane and my abilities to evaluate it in an accurate and precise fashion.

[Reply #20 on:]

...and we have strength in numbers against the giant spiders.

Well, Spacefan will be there, as the screenshot of her phone I posted indicates.  And she often goes out into the broiling heat to rescue tarantulas from the brutal death of baking in a parking lot.  I can assure you that she will protect us from any spiders we encounter   She's far more brave than I, that's for certain.

And I know that a few people are thinking that this thread is basically a joke.  But those who know me personally realize that I am quite serious, and starting this very early to maximize the chances for success with as many Peelers as possible.  It will likely be my last hurrah, and I fully intend to make the most of it.

And I do intend to pay for lodging for everyone, assuming PEELathon-style sharing, and have a rental car to haul at least a handful of people around.

And yes, you are very bright, Jenn, and here's hoping you get into a great school!  I'm confident that once you get into school that you will do well, and likely excel.

[Reply #21 on:]

Spacefan was really cool.  I enjoyed that a visit a lot, and I appreciate you making the drive.

If things are well in 2024, perhaps we'll have an excellent gathering.  This last us eclipse was pretty fun for me; I really enjoyed seeing the day when it was shady, though I didn't specifically see the sun eclipse.

I did show a few people the shadows made from the eclipse through the breaks in the trees while the sun was partially eclipsed.

[Reply #22 on:]

LOL Tachy, it was "bright-eyed and bushy-tailed"... more like dark-rimmed-eyed and droopy-tailed by the time you get into residency. Especially if it's an OB/GYN residency like I hope to do and the resident has to catch babies at all hours of the day. Stupid uteri. How dare their contractions inconvenience a resident?

[Reply #23 on:]

Why don't they plan the contractions out with exercise?  The sun sticks to a schedule.

[Reply #24 on:]

LOL Tachy, it was "bright-eyed and bushy-tailed"...

Oh, I wasn't commenting on your "bright-eyed and bushy-tailed" bit with my "bright" reply, though I can now see why it read that way.  I was just trying to be encouraging and wishing you luck getting into a school that's good for you.  Based on your interactions here and the descriptions of your occasional trials and tribulations, you're obviously pretty bright.

I used to wonder why Peel tends to attract so many smart people, and an interesting mix of techies and artists.  But the makeup of people here may simply be a reflection of the overall Futurama audience mix.

[Reply #25 on:]

My bad! Yes, that was very nice of you, Tachy, and it means a lot coming from you! It means a lot coming from anyone from PEEL, given the level of intelligent conversation around these parts. BTW, I got my third interview invite today, so I must be doing something right

Not sure if there are any bars in the general area that host trivia nights, but if we could get a PEEL team together, we'd crush the competition.

[Reply #26 on:]

Im so excited for you!! and yeah that'd be awesome. I've got family down there that I'm sure would be more than glad to lend out a car if anyone needed airport rides or had difficulty getting a rental too

[Reply #27 on:]

Good point on the rental car thing, Shiny!  I shall endeavour to pre-pay for a rental at the time I book the hotel rooms.  I spent so much time looking for hotels for last week's eclipse, that was all I was focused on for the next one, cause I drove down from Washington.  Yes, I'm a ditzy blond, for sure.

[Reply #28 on:]

Oh, God. It has been about nine months since I've been on PEEL. Where does the time go?

Anyways, I currently have no way of knowing which state I'll be living in or what I'll be up to seven years from now, but here's to hoping that I'll be able to join.

I at least anticipate to have somewhat more flexibility in my life than I have had to this point.

I should know by April 2023 if I can make it, though. So that'll help for planning and stuff.

[Reply #29 on:]

Oh, God. It has been about nine months since I've been on PEEL. Where does the time go?

To a place where I too hope one day to go.

The toilet.

[Reply #30 on:]

I'm planning on going near Rochester for totality. I won't miss this one but, I'm not going to Texas unless someone wants to fly me there on their dime.

[Reply #31 on:]

Well, if the long-range weather forecasts call for crappy viewing conditions please do reconsider.  Not being a wealthy industrialist I shan't be covering airfare, but I will be paying for hotel rooms at whichever site we chose as our base of operations.

[Reply #32 on:]

I'm planning on going near Rochester for totality. I won't miss this one but, I'm not going to Texas unless someone wants to fly me there on their dime.

Ooo, if I can't make Texas work then I would totally want to crash your Rochester par-tay. I have a couple good friends who grew up in Rochester and they talk about it in such a way that suggests it is waaay more my speed than Texas.

[Reply #33 on:]

Gorky yes join me in New York also gonna try to get cB and Svip. Nerd partyyyyy. But I will go to where the party is so of its Texas that's fine if I can make it. As long as we plan this well awesome stuff can happen.

[Reply #34 on:]

Yep, we'll go wherever there's the best chance of good weather.  But we'll have to make the final decision no later than one year out or so.  Because hotels and such.

[Reply #35 on:]

Actually it's going right over Cleveland where my uncle is, I was possibly planning on being in that area around that time mayhaps...I hope this place can plan a reunion before then!

[Reply #36 on:]

That's the thing.  I'll definitely be looking at long-term April weather trends for everywhere along the path.

For this past one, the odds were overwhelmingly in favour of Eastern Oregon compared to the rest of the states the eclipse was going through.  And I got really lucky in Western Oregon.

I picked Texas off the top of my head because the terrain is favourable and there's a good road network but mostly because of the weather at that time of year.  I'll update this thread when I get more info.

[Reply #37 on:]

I find myself wondering if it's going to be legal to congregate in groups of more than five and to stand closer than six feet together in 2024.

I sincerely hope that SARS-COV-2 is no longer a concern by then, but I have to admit that it's a real possibility (although by that point it's possible the USA will be the last remaining reservoir), and this is both concerning and disappointing. Concerning because of all that it implies about the next few years.

Disappointing because it really would be cool to meet PEEL's survivors for the eclipse.

[Reply #38 on:]

Will there be anyone left from whom to distance ourselves?

[Reply #39 on:]

I hope not I hate people