The August 21, 2017 Eclipse over Detroit

**Jimaz** · August-20-17, 09:01 AM

Thanks for raising the warning, emu steve. It's not worth risking vision for life just for one event.

I've heard some reputable sources say you can look safely during totality [[which won't even happen in Michigan) but I wouldn't even risk that. What's to be gained, really?

The pinhole camera or even one improvised out of two sheets of paper is safest.

**Meddle** · August-20-17, 09:39 AM

An article I read recently noted that cameras, even higher end ones can suffer damage to the chip/sensor, so I wonder how many people will be buying new cameras Tuesday?

**Zacha341** · August-20-17, 11:03 AM

Enough to make Apple [[Iphone) happy I am sure...

...

Originally Posted by Meddle

An article I read recently noted that cameras, even higher end ones can suffer damage to the chip/sensor, so I wonder how many people will be buying new cameras Tuesday?

**Bigb23** · August-21-17, 09:42 AM

Originally Posted by Meddle

An article I read recently noted that cameras, even higher end ones can suffer damage to the chip/sensor, so I wonder how many people will be buying new cameras Tuesday?

CNET said no damage will happen to smartphones for the eclipse. They are my go to authority for anything electronic. That said, risk you're $700 smartphone as you see fit.
I will be using my old smartphone, little to lose.

**Meddle** · August-21-17, 11:42 AM

Originally Posted by Bigb23

CNET said ...

They are my go to authority for anything electronic.

You might want to find another.

Definitely stay away from their spamware, err, download site.

**Zacha341** · August-21-17, 11:59 AM

I'd like to set my old Iphone in the sun [[any day) to watch it die, but I must use it so I best not do that!

Originally Posted by Bigb23

CNET said no damage will happen to smartphones for the eclipse.

**emu steve** · August-20-17, 09:45 AM

Originally Posted by Jimaz

Thanks for raising the warning, emu steve. It's not worth risking vision for life just for one event.

I've heard some reputable sources say you can look safely during totality [[which won't even happen in Michigan) but I wouldn't even risk that. What's to be gained, really?

The pinhole camera or even one improvised out of two sheets of paper is safest.

I'm not a shill for the media, but i expect CNN, etc. to have very good live coverage as the eclipse moves across the U.S. to the east coast.

Watch live. Record. Etc. PBS is supposed to have a special Monday night.

One can live watch 100% eclipse on CNN or maybe 80% in Detroit.

BTW, folks should pay attention to cloud coverage. Where I live we'll see 82% but could have partly sunny or [[maybe) partly cloudy skies which could really degrade the event.

**JBMcB** · August-20-17, 10:21 AM

The fears may be a bit overblown. Amazon canceled our order for the glasses saying they may be fake, but we were buying from a long running astronomical supply store that sources from manufacturers with a track record of quality gear. Kinda puts me off of Amazon because they froze their account with no real evidence of fraud.

**emu steve** · August-20-17, 11:06 AM

Originally Posted by JBMcB

The fears may be a bit overblown. Amazon canceled our order for the glasses saying they may be fake, but we were buying from a long running astronomical supply store that sources from manufacturers with a track record of quality gear. Kinda puts me off of Amazon because they froze their account with no real evidence of fraud.

I understand your point, but if 20M pairs of glasses are sold and but 99.44% are authentic, we still have a big potential problem.

It could be like the person out for a Sunday afternoon drive, there is still a .0001 chance of something bad happening...