Artemis, you and your kids nailed it!
We were in Carbondale, IL for the eclipse at the Southern Illinois University (Carbondale) with a majorly huge crowd of eclipse aficionados. The stadium was sold out and it holds 14 or 15,000 people (depending on which publication you read). We did have clouds during part of the viewing time, that helped decrease the intense heat for short periods of time, but for me viewing time was sufficient.
There were several events going on at the SIU to educate anyone who so choose on the science of eclipses, demonstrations, lectures, activities for kids, etc. It was fabulous. Plus they gave away special eclipse glasses AND special eclipse binoculars to all to use to ensure eyesight safety.
Prior to totality, the temperature dropped noticeably, as expected with a total eclipse. The only animals near our viewing area were swallows flying in the sky, but since I do not live, work or go to school in Carbondale, I cannot be sure they behaved differently than normal.
Even though it was so very hot and humid there, we really enjoyed ourselves and oohed, awed, cheered and all that stuff with the rest of them. I don't know what was more spectacular, the total eclipse, the sunset look of the entire circumference of the horizon, or seeing a planet and a star in the middle of the day. According to the papers, Carbondale was turned into a 'Celestial SuperBowl' and I gotta say that is an accurate statement. The crowds were phenomenal for this little college town.
We stayed in touch with my husband's cousin who was about 10 miles away in a park and he had full visibility during the whole event, with no clouds blocking it out at all. What a difference a few miles makes.
ETA: I forgot about the school mascots, the Saluki Greyhounds! Here is a photo I got of them on the field. Such gorgeous animals.
We were in Carbondale, IL for the eclipse at the Southern Illinois University (Carbondale) with a majorly huge crowd of eclipse aficionados. The stadium was sold out and it holds 14 or 15,000 people (depending on which publication you read). We did have clouds during part of the viewing time, that helped decrease the intense heat for short periods of time, but for me viewing time was sufficient.
There were several events going on at the SIU to educate anyone who so choose on the science of eclipses, demonstrations, lectures, activities for kids, etc. It was fabulous. Plus they gave away special eclipse glasses AND special eclipse binoculars to all to use to ensure eyesight safety.
Prior to totality, the temperature dropped noticeably, as expected with a total eclipse. The only animals near our viewing area were swallows flying in the sky, but since I do not live, work or go to school in Carbondale, I cannot be sure they behaved differently than normal.
Even though it was so very hot and humid there, we really enjoyed ourselves and oohed, awed, cheered and all that stuff with the rest of them. I don't know what was more spectacular, the total eclipse, the sunset look of the entire circumference of the horizon, or seeing a planet and a star in the middle of the day. According to the papers, Carbondale was turned into a 'Celestial SuperBowl' and I gotta say that is an accurate statement. The crowds were phenomenal for this little college town.
We stayed in touch with my husband's cousin who was about 10 miles away in a park and he had full visibility during the whole event, with no clouds blocking it out at all. What a difference a few miles makes.
ETA: I forgot about the school mascots, the Saluki Greyhounds! Here is a photo I got of them on the field. Such gorgeous animals.
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