by Bob Shively
On Monday, August 21, 2017 there was a total eclipse of the sun. This was the first eclipse in the continental United States in 38 years. The shadow of the moon, or the umbra, began just off the coast of Oregon travelling across the United States from west to east, exiting in South Carolina. The 70 mile wide shadow that created the total eclipse began at Lincoln Beach, Oregon at 10:16 am PDT. Over the next hour and a half, it crossed through Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, and North and South Carolina. It ended at Charleston, SC at 2:48 pm EDT.
Dr. Dion Stewart, a Geologist at Georgia State University and a member of the Cobb County Gem & Mineral Society organized a field trip to Corundum Mountain off of Highway 64 just before Franklin, NC to view the eclipse. I drove my car to the Georgia State campus in Alpharetta, GA and then joined Dion in his “geologist vehicle” for our trip to the North Georgia mountains. We followed GA400 north towards Dahlonega, then took US Hwy 129 towards Hiawassee. From there we took GA Hwy 129/75 to US Hwy 64 to the field trip location. It was 98 miles, but it took us 3 hours. We arrived about 1:30 pm and the eclipse was to happen at 2:30 pm, so we were still in good shape even with all of the traffic. We went up a dirt road for about a mile to the top of the mountain. About 10 cars in our group were already there. We walked up a trail for about ¼ mile and found the rest of our group, about 18 people. Dion had found a great meadow with about a 10 mile view to the east. He chose this spot so that we could see the shadow of the moon come across the valley just before totality. He had visited the spot 2 days before and found out the grass had grown about 4 feet since he had been there last, so he spent a couple of hours “weed whacking” the area for the folks that would be attending the event. He also marked the trail up from the parking area so no one would lose their way up the mountain. He even invited a couple of Astronomers that he knows to join us. Their expertise was invaluable.
We took all of our supplies up the mountain, including a chair, bug spray, cameras, binoculars, white towels, snacks, water, etc. Some folks had their telescopes, box viewers, and other aids. Of course, Dion being a geologist brought along his rock hammer.
About 2 pm, as soon as I got my chair and all my stuff situated, I got out my special eclipse viewing glasses (that Dion had brought along) and looked up at the sun. The moon already had a small bite out of the sun. The sky was totally clear. The weather forecast for the several days before had predicted a cloudy day, so we were concerned that we were travelling all the way and then not be able to see the event. But we were so fortunate that the only clouds were around the horizon and nothing obscured our view! It seemed like a long time waiting, but by about 2:25 pm, it started to get a little dark. The shadows were a little less defined and it was getting a little cooler, but that was about all. Then it happened! It was noticeably cooler, and definitely darker. The crickets started chirping, birds were flocking and coming out of the trees and I felt some real light rain drops as if it was starting to rain, but there were no clouds overhead. I talked with one of the astronomers in our group and he said, yes, the temperature dropped, the humidity dropped and that was the dew point that I experienced.
As the sun reached total eclipse, we took off our viewing glasses and stared at the site before us. The horizon looked like dawn, but in all directions! The corona of the sun was the only visible light in the sky. I was able to see Venus just off to the right. Some of the others in our group said they saw Jupiter off to the left, but I didn’t see it. The totality seemed like it lasted quite a long time, but it was only from 2:35:49 to 2:38:23, about 2 ½ minutes. While I was looking at the Sun/Moon towards the end of totality, I saw a flash of Sun light strike towards Earth like a laser beam – totality was over. I had never seen anything as spectacular in my life, and will never forget it! When is the next event?? I’m hooked.
The traffic coming back to Alpharetta was horrendous. Remember, it was 98 miles. This time it took us about 4 ½ hours! I left my house at 8:00 am that morning and returned just before 10 pm. Even with all of that, it was well worth it. I heard stories from folks in the Atlanta area that stopped to view it, and it was almost nothing compared to what we saw in total eclipse (Atlanta was about 97% eclipse).
A huge THANKS to Dion Stewart for organizing this trip and preparing the viewing site!
Photos: Bob Shively
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