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.