I've seen only 1 total eclipse. But it was in a perfect sky.
I had spent a lot of time studying the forecasts. I prepared 6
different possible observing sites in Quebec and compared the ECMEF
and CMC cloud forecasts. I watched the forecasts for several days and
noted that each new forecast predicted the cloud bank a little further
east. The 6am update on the 8th pretty well forecast what people
observed: opaque in Niagra, lot's of clouds at Bob Olson's observatory
(but the inner corona was still visible). Thin cloud at granby. I
went to the very furthest (4 hours drive) site I had prepared because
it was the only one where ECMWF and CMC cloud forecasts agreed it
would be clear. That was near Coaticook. No clouds and good
transparency.
I felt pretty smart during the 3m20s of totality. Not so smart in the
giant traffic jam on Autoroute 10 on the way home.
Did i read correctly that observers at Granby, and other sites further
west, did not describe details in the coronal streamer? Was detail
visibe? I saw much coronal detail. I attribute it to the good
transparency at Coaticook.
I suspect that it isn't possible to guarantee a cloud-free eclipse
observation without a similar amount of preparation. We are lucky in
north america that we have good cloud forecast models. I'm don't know
about what's available for the Austrailian eclipse.
I can see why people describe seeing an eclipse as a
once-in-a-lifetime experince. Though I think it's the wrong words,
since most are adamant about wanting to see another one.
many-times-in-a-lifetime experience?
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On Tue, Apr 9, 2024 at 3:45?PM Douglas B. George via groups.io
<dgeorge@...> wrote:
Gotta say, my track record isn't great. Only two perfectly clear eclipses out
of five.
1979 Gimli Manitoba - high cirrus but pretty good
1991 Baja California Mexico - saw totality briefly through a hole in the clouds
1994 New York - perfect - but Annular.
2006 Libya - perfect!
2024 Quebec - seen through thin clouds
Doug
