Preparing for the Annular Eclipse: Sunday, May 20

[DandyDon]

I think the last Solar Eclipse even close to Total we had in this part of the world was the Annular in 1994. I invited several friends to meet me for camp out at White City near Carlsbad Caverns as I had a hunch that the skies would be clearer there than here - which failed. We were overcast that day, but clear back home in Lubbock Texas. I hope the skies are clear here for this one.

The NASA article: Solar Eclipse over the USA - NASA Science
And time table: http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/OH/OHta...2012-Tab03.pdf

Looking around for Solar Eclipse viewing glasses, the best deal seems to be 25 for less than $25 at Eclipse Glasses for Annular Solar Eclipse 2012 but I'd kinda like to shoot some pics and/or video with our point & shoot cameras, nothing fancy - and I know to totally avoid useing optical view finders, but can I just cut up a pair of those glassed to protect the lens? If I am reading that chart right, it starts at 00:31 Zulu, 19:21 CDT, or 7:21pm adjusted for DST. Sunset is 8:45 so we'll get over an hour of the show if not cloudy. Over 4 minutes of Annularity. That low in the sky, do I need to worry about my cameras? Even at peak, it looks like it will be only 93% blocked, so I don't guess we'll see Beads or Diamonds.

Oh that seller will send you one pair for $1 and a SASE. See http://www.rainbowsymphony.com/freestuff.html and there are ebay sellers.

A #14 welders glass filter will also work, but I don't see an advantage. I don't know of any other safe viewing filters, as smoked glass, black negatives, mylar, etc are not safe.

Any suggestions or other discussion...??