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About The Blue Mountain eagle. (John Day, Or.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 16, 2017)
A12 Eclipse Blue Mountain Eagle ECLIPSE Continued from Page A1 “They’re trying to get a continuous stream of photo- graphs,” Smith said. “They were missing a section of Or- egon, and I got a call asking if we’d be interested in partici- pating.” In June, Smith was trained for the project by a scientist with a doctorate in astronomy. On July 31, Smith and two of her sophomore students Gage Lambeth and Donavan Smith and former student Declan Jensen, a 2017 Grant Union graduate, met to prac- tice setting up the telescope before the big day. Jensen’s friend Anthony Allen of Rocklin, California, also joined in the process. The telescope and a laptop were set up on private property near John Day. “The sun is hard to center in the telescope,” Smith said, as they worked to fine tune the settings. Once the image of the sun was focused, Smith sent the settings to scientists involved The Eagle/Angel Carpenter Grant Union science teacher Sonna Smith, back right, works with, from left, Gage Lambeth, Donavan Smith, Anthony Allen and Declan Jensen, preparing to participate in a nationwide solar eclipse experiment near John Day. in the project to double-check for accuracy. Donavan said he hopes to gain “more know-how about astronomy and the eclipse” from the experience. Lambeth said he was look- ing forward to having a close look at a career he plans to pursue. “It’s going to give me an idea of what it will be like,” he said, adding he’d like to be involved in astronomy in some way in the future. Sonna said she chose some younger students for the proj- ect so they can train other stu- dents to use the equipment. Jensen said she hopes to learn how to properly use a telescope. She attends Lane Com- munity College and plans to NASA scientists are studying eclipse in Unity Wednesday, August 16, 2017 transfer to University of Or- egon in Eugene to pursue a physics degree. Scientist Tom Schad will also work with the group. Sonna said she looks forward to having his assistance with the project to make sure it goes smoothly. David Anderson is another scientist with the project who will set up near Mt. Vernon. Sonna said a bonus to par- ticipating in the program is the opportunity to keep the equipment, including the tele- scope, camera attachment and laptop. “They’re giving the school access to free software, in case we have students who want to do presentations about the eclipse or more re- search about the eclipse,” she said. Dr. Matt Penn, who is the principal investigator for the program through the National Science Foundation’s Nation- al Solar Observatory, said he expects the nationwide exper- iment to provide an extraordi- nary dataset. “Normally during a solar eclipse, we get about 2 min- Navigating the eclipse Road closures and parking restrictions in effect By Rylan Boggs Experiments planned before, during, after By Angel Carpenter Blue Mountain Eagle Unity’s wide-open spac- es are attracting NASA as- tronomers to the area for the eclipse. Although the town pop- ulation is just around 100, with an enrollment at Burnt River School of 35, the school will host 40 astrono- mers from NASA and Virgin Galactic, a company that of- fers space adventures. Burnt River’s sole sci- ence teacher Tonia Humbert said she’s looking forward to the experience. “NASA has established our school as an educational outpost,” she said. “They’ll be performing different ex- periments with the students before, during and after the eclipse.” Log Cabin o r e s p s s E Open Mon - Fri 6:30-5 • Sat 8-2 Closed Sun Drive up window at John Day Polaris 821 W Hwy., 26 • 541-575-5778 Although students start- ed school this week, on Monday the school will be closed due to traffic and safety concerns. Students are invited to join the scien- tists and soak in the knowl- edge they’ll share. On Sunday night, a pro- fessional astronomer will host a stargazing event. There will also be astro- physics lectures. The astronomers will talk about their official positions and give an eclipse folklore presenta- tion, covering the histo- ry of humankind and how they’ve viewed these astro- nomical events, Humbert said. They will also demon- strate how to make pinhole cardboard viewers. She said eye safety is an issue. “The glasses that are be- ing marketed are designed for a full-size human face,” Humbert said. “There is a lot of peripheral space that could cause children to in- jure their eyes. They advise they use a pinhole camera instead.” Oregon Medical Marijuana Patients (OMMP) ONLY. • Flower • Extract • Topicals • Edibles 05835 “Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of marijuana. Keep Marijuana out of the reach of children.” 27877 Apple Road John Day, OR 97845 541-575-4200 • Open 7 days a week Mon-Sat 10-8 & Sun 12-6. In addition to the presen- tations, a tethered hot air balloon will be in town on Sunday, although Humbert was unsure if balloon rides will be available to the gen- eral public. Humbert said the pre- sentations are by invitation only. Community members, both close and extended, have been invited to the event. “This is an amazing op- portunity. However, there are obvious safety and se- curity concerns, not only involving the students but also the integrity of the ex- periments done by the scien- tists,” Humbert said. “This is such a rare event. They can’t put (their scientific work) in jeopardy.” She added the scientists will involve participants to a certain extent. “It’s just a once-in-a- lifetime opportunity to get a personal look at pro- fessionals in this area,” she said. “How often can you have a conversation with a NASA scientist? I’m beyond excited at the opportunity.” utes of data in that region closest to the photosphere (solar surface),” he said. “But Citizen CATE will allow us to get an hour and a half of data.” He said the 90 minutes of continuous, high-resolution and rapid-cadence images will detail the sun’s inner co- rona, providing information about a region of the solar atmosphere that is typically challenging to image. “Thankfully, there is noth- ing typical about this eclipse,” he said. Sonna said she was glad Allen, who has an interest in astronomy as well, joined their group. Allen, a 2016 grad, said being involved in the total solar eclipse project is a good experience. “It gives me a way to make it more memorable,” he said. “Otherwise, I’d put on these (solar eclipse) glasses, look at it and say ‘neat’ and go back inside.” For more information about the upcoming eclipse and Citizen CATE, visit eclipse2017.nso.edu/online. Blue Mountain Eagle One of the most important things people can do during the eclipse is to be patient, Grant County Emergency Manage- ment Coordinator Ted Williams said. Longer commutes and con- gestion, especially on Highways 26 and 395, are to be expected. Williams urged people to stay on main roads, despite po- tentially long waits. He said parking will not be allowed on Main Street in John Day, and the county airport would only be open for emer- gency and fire personnel. The county is prepared for fuel short- ages and has 2,000 gallons of fuel stockpiled for law enforce- ment and medical emergencies. “This is going to be fluid right up until the time it hap- pens,” Williams said. If an emergency occurs, vol- unteer first responders such as firefighters and search and res- cue members respond to their bases in personal vehicles with hazard lights flashing. Visitors should yield the road to these first responders, despite the lack of sirens and typical emergency lights. Grubsteak Mining Co. RESTAURANT & LOUNGE OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK 8/17-8/21 open for Breakfast 6am to 11am Great Prime Rib, Steaks & Burgers 05988 Lottery Lounge opens @ 11am 149 E Main St., John Day • 541-575-1970 County roads 2, 57, 46A, 52, 43 and 20A will be closed to all but local traffic Aug. 17- 23 during the eclipse by order of the Grant County Court. These closures were brought forward by landowners to Grant County Roadmaster Alan Hick- erson and then to the county court for approval. A request from Grant Coun- ty Undersheriff Zach Mobley to close County Road 77, which leads to the Canyon Mountain Trailhead, was also approved. Hickerson said resources to enforce and patrol these roads would not be available during the eclipse, but the road depart- ment would be able to place concrete barriers if needed. The People Mover, Grant County’s bus system, will be running eight routes connecting John Day, Mt. Vernon, Prairie City, Canyon City and Dayville, according to Angie Jones, the transportation manager at the People Mover. For a complete schedule and fare costs, visit grantcountypeoplemover.com/ solar-eclipse-2017. John Day city employees will be directing traffic and ensuring things run smoothly during the eclipse, according to city manager Nick Green. Over- flow parking will be available at the Industrial Park and the Ore- gon Pine property, if it is needed, Green said. To assist with public safe- ty for the eclipse, the Malheur National Forest has issued tem- porary road and area closure or- ders, effective through Aug. 25. The affected roads lead to eight fire lookout towers and one communication site. The roads closed to motor- ized travel are Forest Service roads 2610 and 759 leading to Dixie Lookout, 71 leading to Black Butte Lookout, 537 leading to Indian Rock Look- out, 1370 leading to Table Rock Lookout, 607 leading to Fall Mountain Lookout, 820 leading to Dry Soda Lookout, 819 lead- ing to Flagtail Lookout and 2150 leading to Aldrich Lookout. Also in effect through Aug. 25 is a closure order that prohib- its camping within 1,200 feet of lookout towers and guard sta- tions located within the path of totality. For a detailed list of affected roads and areas, along with cop- ies of the closure orders, visit fs.usda.gov/Malheur or call the Malheur National Forest office, 541-575-3000. Due to expected large crowds, the Oregon Department of Transportation urges people to treat the three-hour eclipse as a three-day event. The department recom- mends carpooling, arriving early and staying late to avoid traffic jams. The shoulder is for emer- gency stopping, not parking or eclipse viewing, and blocking the shoulder could keep emer- gency vehicles from reaching victims, according to ODOT. Eclipse viewers can get a birds-eye view of traffic speeds anywhere in the state by visiting tripcheck.com.
