Eclipse Planning

[NOT an eclipse, this crescent moon was over Cape May October 13, 2012. I haven't decided if I am going to photograph the coming eclipse, or just  experience it. B&H Photo has some great eclipse photography tips.]

Here's the skinny on the timing of the eclipse for Cape May:

Partial solar eclipse visible (77.85% coverage of Sun)
Magnitude: 0.8195
Duration: 2 hours, 41 minutes, 10 seconds
Partial begins: Aug 21 at 1:22:25 pm
Maximum: Aug 21 at 2:46:12 pm
Partial ends: Aug 21 at 4:03:35 pm

You can go here for a map to check the timing elsewhere.

Animals behaving in strange ways during celestial events is the stuff of legends, but the legends are based in facts. For example, birds will likely slow or stop their singing during the eclipse. The trouble is, birds will not be singing much when the solar eclipse begins on August 21, since a) it's August and most birds are pretty much done singing, and b) it will be mid-afternoon. Nonetheless, I'm looking forward to both seeing the eclipse (obligatory disclaimer: don't look right at it) and observing any changes in the behavior of birds and other wildlife.


[Map of the eclipse path, courtesy of NASA.]