Solar filter

[neuroanatomist]

Thanks, Jonathan. Personal viewing will be through (filtered) binoculars. Good point on the cloud cover, though with school we won't be able to travel more than a few hours' drive so there's not much difference between New York and Vermont. Given the timing, we'll be able to make a call early in the morning and drive west or north depending on the proximate forecast. Unless it's all clouds in which case we'll stay home and watch online.

There's a great little natural history museum in northern Vermont that has a planetarium (Fairbanks Museum in St. Johnsbury), that we've visited several times. It's just inside the totality (~90 s worth), we were considering using that as a base for a short drive north if we go that direction. Burlington, VT is right in the middle, but will be very crowded.

[HDNitehawk]

Thanks, Jonathan. Personal viewing will be through (filtered) binoculars.

Speaking of which, if any one reads this for pointers, buy a filter for a good set of binoculars like Canons IS binoculars.
I had both filters and a pair that was made to view the sun. The special pair was good for the kids to play with while they ate popsicles.

[neuroanatomist]

Speaking of which, if any one reads this for pointers, buy a filter for a good set of binoculars like Canons IS binoculars.

That was my plan. The 10x42 IS takes 52mm threaded filters.

[Jonathan Huyer]

That was my plan. The 10x42 IS takes 52mm threaded filters.

I ordered binocular solar filters from the same company I got the camera lens filter, because I like the idea of an unthreaded filter you can slip off easily. During the total phase, you will want to use the binoculars to see the intricate details of the corona, prominences, and all that good stuff. So having a filter you can pull off quickly would be an advantage. Or, have a second pair of binoculars handy (unfiltered) that you can grab quickly.