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About The Blue Mountain eagle. (John Day, Or.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 16, 2017)
W EDNESDAY , A UGUST 16, 2017 • N O . 33 • 24 P AGES • $1.00 www.MyEagleNews.com SOLAR ECLIPSE 2017 The Blue Mountain EAGLE A s Monday’s total solar eclipse draws near, thousands of visitors are converging on Grant County for the once-in-a-lifetime event. Based on confi rmed reservations, almost 20,000 people are expected: about 17,000 at private tent and RV sites, 1,500 in campsites and 750 in hotels. Most are expect- ed to arrive Friday, Saturday and Sunday and leave by Tuesday. In this edition, we cover everything you need to know about the eclipse, from road closures and safety tips to local events and the science of the celestial show. Students, teacher participating in national project Eclipse tips and times • Protect your eyes. Special glasses are needed to view the partial eclipse, which can only be removed during the totality to prevent injury. Further protection is needed for people using telephoto camera lenses or telescopes. • Prevent fi res. The area is in extreme fi re conditions. Current fi re restrictions prohibit campfi res and chainsaw use on the forest. Don’t park or drive on dry grass. Dispose of cigarette buts properly. • Drive safely. Expect heavy traffi c for the event. Park in desig- nated areas only. Carry extra fuel, water and food. Clear the way for emergency vehicles. • Be patient. With the infl ux of visitors, expect delays in everything from emergency response times to restaurant wait times. Grant Union science teacher Sonna Smith, right, works with, from left, Donavan Smith, Declan Jensen (kneeling), Gage Lambeth and Anthony Allen, preparing to participate in a nationwide solar eclipse experiment. A total solar eclipse will occur the morning of Aug. 21. The Eagle/Angel Carpenter High-resolution, rapid-cadence images will detail sun’s inner corona By Angel Carpenter Blue Mountain Eagle A small group of amateur astronomers, including a Grant Union Junior-Senior High School science teach- er and four students, hope to have an unforgettable experience Aug. 21 during “The Great American Eclipse.” Sonna Smith, a Grant Union sci- ence and chemistry teacher, was invited to assist in a coast-to-coast total solar eclipse project called Citizen CATE (Continental-America Telescopic Eclipse). Scientists from the National Solar Observatory, leading the project, have astronomers and amateur astronomers set up in 68 locations across America prepared to capture 1,000 photos each of the eclipse using identical equip- ment. The photos will be streamed togeth- er into a 90-minute movie. One of the viewpoints for the exper- iment happens to be in John Day. Page A12 • Preventing wildfi res during the eclipse Page A3 Observers will see approximately 2 minutes, 6 seconds of totality. Dayville Partial phase start: 9:08:00 a.m. Totality start: 10:21:43 a.m. John Day Partial phase start: 9:08:29 a.m. Totality start: 10:22:30 a.m. Prairie City Partial phase start: 9:08:45 a.m. Totality start: 10:22:50 a.m. Eclipse tips for residents See ECLIPSE, Page A12 More inside • Road closures • Viewing the solar and parking eclipse from space restrictions Page A11 Eclipse start times in Grant County The Eagle/Angel Carpenter Gage Lambeth and Donavan Smith, who will be sophomores this fall, work with their Grant Union science teacher Sonna Smith to focus a telescope on the sun. Sonna and a small group of students are participating in a nationwide solar eclipse project called Citizen CATE. GRANT COUNTY FAIR B SECTION Grant County Emergency Management Coor- dinator Ted Williams shared some tips for Grant County residents preparing for the eclipse: • Stock up on food and water a few days in ad- vance of the event. • Fill up your fuel tank, expected large crowds may make fuel diffi cult to obtain. • People with special needs should plan ahead. • Expect delayed emergency response due to heavy crowds, traffi c. • Expect delays and slow moving traffi c while driving. • Do not park in prohibited areas. • Expect long lines at your favorite food store and restaurant. • Expect to walk longer distances from parking to your destination. • Keep your pets on a short leash while walking in public areas. • Don’t let your kids out of your sight. • Cellphone service may be impacted. • Lock your vehicle. • Be situationally aware when you are in public.
