Solar Eclipse
Image: NASA
WHERE TO
WATCH THE
SOLAR
ECLIPSE
BY MIKE DUNPHY
WHEN THE SKIES WERE STILL FULL OF GODS AND GOLDEN CHARIOTS CARRYING THE SUN, A SOLAR
ECLIPSE BROUGHT OMENS AND PORTENT. TO THE VIKINGS, A WOLF HAD EATEN THE SUN; TO THE
CHINESE, A DRAGON; WHILE TRIBES OF WEST AFRICA BELIEVED THE SUN AND MOON WERE FIGHTING,
AND THE ONLY REMEDY WAS TO MAKE PEACE ON EARTH. SCIENCE MAY HAVE PULLED BACK THE
CURTAIN ON THE TRUE ORIGINS REASONS, BUT THE WONDER REMAINS AS STRONG AS EVER.
On August 21, 2017, Americans coast to coast will have the first
opportunity in 99 years to witness the moon slip between the sun
and Earth in a rare country-wide total solar eclipse, starting in Oregon
and crossing 12 states to finish in South Carolina. In celebration,
communities along the 70-mile-wide “path of totality,” are preparing
to welcome thousands of stargazers to behold this dance of the
Cosmos with viewing parties, festivals, lectures, competitions,
concerts, and more. Some spots are sweeter than others, especially
these five.
MADRAS, OREGON
On the flip side of the Cascade Mountains, 118 miles east of Portland,
the skies of Oregon escape the rain clouds and light pollution of the
coast, particularly over the town of Madras. The region’s rich Native
American Heritage remains on full display right next door at Warm
Spring Reservation and its museum of artifacts, historic photographs,
murals, graphics, and rare documents. Nature itself provides the
other main attraction of the area, with ample opportunities for hiking,
FLYWASHINGTON.COM 38 AUTUMN 2017
camping, climbing, swimming, rafting, biking, and fishing in and around
stunningly beautiful alpine lakes, river gorges, desert canyons, snow-
capped mountains, and sage-brush plains.
The near total lack of light pollution, wide open spaces, and dramatic
mountain backdrop make Madras a prime spot to view the eclipse,
starting at 9:06 am and achieving totality at 10:19 for 2 minutes and 2
seconds. Celebrations of the event reach maximum jubilance at the
3-day Oregon Solarfest Music Festival, with more than a dozen musical
acts and food carts. At Madras High School, the Lowell Observatory
will host astronomer talks and solar experiments throughout the day,
while 4 miles northwest of town, at Rain Shadow Ranch, Solarthon
combines a weekend of camping, running events, volleyball, whiffle
ball and hay rides.
JACKSON HOLE, WYOMING
The steep slopes between the Grand Teton and Gros Ventre mountain
ranges gave early pioneers the sensation of descending into a hole