[pct-l] eclipsing the pct

[David Hough on pct-l]

It's not every year that there is a total solar eclipse visible from the
PCT.   Not this year either, but second best: an annular solar eclipse
will be visible Sunday around 6:20-6:30pm to some extent from about Ebbetts
Pass to about Fish Lake.    A partial eclipse will be visible over most of
the western US.    Annularity will last longest close to the center line
which crosses the PCT in Lassen between Chester and Old Station and comes
close again west of Castle Crags.     Not too many through hikers will be
able to enjoy the maximum eclipse, but maybe some early section hikers will.

This being an annular rather than total eclipse you can't look directly
or through binoculars or cameras.     There's lots of information about 
safety on the web.

Details at

http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEgoogle/SEgoogle2001/SE2012May20Agoogle.html

and 

http://eclipse-maps.com/Eclipse-Maps/Gallery/Pages/Annular_solar_eclipse_of_2012_May_20.html

The transit of Venus on the afternoon and evening of
June 5 is somewhat less spectacular but of
historical interest and will be visible through most of the western US.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transit_of_Venus,_2012