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Robert Pearlman
With the day approaching, companies are announcing eclipse promotions:
SunChips:
Experience the solar eclipse like never before — with your taste buds. In honor of this very very very limited time event, SunChips is releasing a limited-edition bag that combines the bright heat of the sun with the spicy cheese of the moon. And just like the total eclipse, this offer will only be available for a few minutes. So, don't look away... from this website.
Come back at 1:33PM CT on 4/8/2024 to enter for a chance to win your bag and eclipse swag kit.
Blue Moon:
Blue Moon is bringing its signature brightness during the upcoming solar eclipse with new Eclipse Sips, a kit that includes everything you need to enjoy the eclipse and make your beer shimmer:
One-of-a-kind Blue Moon 'Moon Dust' that quite literally gives your beer a shimmery 'GLOW' up – just add a pinch to your Blue Moon Belgian White!
Black light coasters and flashlight
Four Blue Moon signature pint glasses
Fans 21+ can get their hands on Blue Moon Eclipse Sips here on Wednesday, April 3 at 12PM ET for only $25 (guaranteed to arrive before 4/8).
Blue Moon is also giving fans a chance to win 20 years of free beer from now until 2044 (the next time the U.S. will experience totality) to celebrate the upcoming solar eclipse. Enter by visiting Blue Moon on Instagram (@bluemoonbrewco) and commenting on the Eclipse Sips post.
Robert Pearlman
Sonic release
SONIC Celebrates Upcoming Total Solar Eclipse with New Limited-Edition Blackout Slush Float
Free pair of eclipse viewing glasses given with every Blackout Slush Float purchase
SONIC Drive-In is giving fans an out-of-this world experience for the rare North American Total Solar Eclipse on April 8th with the launch of the new Blackout Slush Float, available nationwide starting March 25th for a limited time. Guests will also receive one free pair of solar eclipse viewing glasses* with every purchase of the Blackout Slush Float, while supplies last, to help safely watch the eclipse and create fun memories of this momentous occasion.
Featuring a sweet, cotton candy and dragon fruit flavored, all-black slush representing the temporary darkness from the solar eclipse and topped with creamy white soft serve and blue and purple galaxy-themed sprinkles, the Blackout Slush Float will transport fans straight to outer space.
"There are over 400 SONIC locations in areas where the total solar eclipse will be visible, and we thought, what better way to create some fun for our fans as they experience this unique event than by introducing a new treat that's as awe-inspiring as the eclipse itself?" said Mackenzie Gibson, Vice President of Culinary & Menu Innovation at SONIC.
SONIC is also partnering with former NASA astronaut, International Space Station commander and SONIC superfan, Terry Virts, to share tips on how to best enjoy the total solar eclipse. A veteran of two space flights and three space walks who has witnessed an eclipse from the ISS, some of his expert insights include:
This total solar eclipse is rare because it only happens every one to two decades: The last happened in 2017, and the next won't be until 2044. Take advantage of this incredible scientific event, especially for those located in the path of totality, where the moon completely covers the sun!
Areas outside of the path of totality will still be able to enjoy a visual spectacle and see a partial eclipse, which is when the moon only covers up a part of the sun.
From space, a total solar eclipse looks like a big black shadow on the ground. Even from 1,000 miles away on the ISS, the eclipse is still visible!
Make sure to wear the proper protection on your eyes when viewing the eclipse. Eclipse-viewing glasses are not regular sunglasses. They are specially designed to comply with international standards and protect your eyes.
"I've been a longtime fan of SONIC and even tried to make slushes, shakes and burgers in space – and the new Blackout Slush Float creates a fun and tasty way for fans to get excited for this rare scientific phenomenon," said Virts. "We'll have to wait another 20 years for the next total solar eclipse, so be sure to make plans to watch this one. I'll be watching from my local SONIC in Texas!"
Guests can check out which cities are included in the path of totality on NASA.gov and find their local SONIC at sonicdrivein.com/locations. Guests planning to view the eclipse from SONIC should get their branded eclipse viewing glasses, free with every Blackout Slush Float purchase, in advance since supply is limited. On April 8th guests can come back to SONIC to view the eclipse while enjoying the Blackout Slush Float - just ask the team at the drive-in about the safest spot for viewing.
The Blackout Slush Float can be ordered at participating locations nationwide, starting March 25 through May 5th while supplies last. Prices vary by location.
Powered by the SONIC Foundation, SONIC donates a portion of all drink, slush, blast and shake sales to support public education through the SONIC Limeades for Learning initiative.** Since 2009, SONIC has donated more than $27 million to funding local classrooms, becoming one of the largest programs to support public education in the U.S.
*The eclipse viewing glasses have been approved for short term direct observation of the sun by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and have been lab tested to ensure they are safe and meet all applicable rules and regulations. Check the back of the glasses for additional, detailed safety information before use.
onesmallstep
For those living in or passing through New York City on their way to upstate New York (they predict BIG crowds and traffic in the Rochester area along the path of totality), there are several locations where one can pick up free eclipse viewing glasses:
Warby Parker eyeglass stores in the NYC metro area.
NY Public Library branches in Manhattan, Queens and Brooklyn.
'I Love NY' branded glasses at the LIRR ticket counter, Moynihan Train Hall, Penn Station, 34th St./8th Ave.
As a total solar eclipse crosses North America on Monday (April 8), seven of the 13 people currently in space will be in the right position to see the spectacle from Earth orbit.
At the same time, more than 30 other astronauts will be at locations in seven U.S. states and Canada to help the public understand and enjoy the experience.
Robert Pearlman
NASA video
Watch live with us as a total solar eclipse moves across North America on April 8, 2024, traveling through Mexico, across the United States from Texas to Maine, and out across Canada’s Atlantic coast.
From 1 to 4 p.m. EDT (1700 to 2000 UTC) on April 8, we'll share conversations with experts and provide telescope views of the eclipse from several sites along the eclipse path.
Robert Pearlman
Wow. Wow! WOW! From fully expecting a complete cloud cover over the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden to having the full 3 minute and 52 seconds of totality! The birds came alive with song, the stars were visible and the street lights turned on. Words really don't suffice!
Here's a quick wide shot from my iPhone and then a much better shot from my sister's camera:
Headshot
Congratulations on seeing the total solar eclipse. I still remember my first eclipse in 1973 (6.2 minutes of totality). A quote from R. Friedman of West Orange New Jersey best sums it up: "No photo I have ever seen compares to the spectacle of seeing the diamond ring with the naked eye or through binoculars. It was beyond magnificent."
onesmallstep
Nice coverage of the eclipse along the path of totality on NASA TV.
The main 'operations tracking center' was Kennedy Space Center in Florida, with multiple locations from Mexico to Maine: stadiums, parks, NASA Glenn in Cleveland; even the INDY 500 racetrack. Several NASA scientists participated as commentators, and one astronaut: CSA Artemis II's Col. Jeremy Hansen RCAF live from Niagara Falls, NY. Best view: From on board ISS, transmitted while the shadow of totality went across Maine.
Axman
Cloud cover can quite often disappear from the path of totality. It is remarked upon in many journals that recorded scientific expeditions to observe an eclipse in the past.
Birdsong on the other hand seems to be a schizophrenic phenomenon: birdsong either breaks out loudly, or the birds go completely silent. At the last total eclipse I witnessed in England, after the thin cloud evaporated, and the temperature suddenly dropped, all the previously vociferous birds fell deathly silent.
Jouett
We were at home in Fishers, Indiana just northeast of Indianapolis and this was our first eclipse.
Funny reading Robert's post because those were my same words throughout... Wow! We were fortunate to have perfect weather for the eclipse. It'll be something we'll never forget.
Blackarrow
It always brings a warm smile to my face to hear the comments of people who have just seen their first total eclipse of the sun. It's like being let into a wonderful secret. If you haven't seen (at least) one, you just can't know what it's like.
As bucket list items go, seeing a total solar eclipse from space might seem like a tall order.
Seeing one from Earth can be difficult enough. Just ask the millions of people in North America who not only traveled to be within the path of totality, but had to fortunate enough to have cloudless skies.
But on Monday (April 8), Michael Barratt became one of only 30 people in history to see an eclipse from off the planet.
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