Monmouth, Ore. (NBC News) An Oregon couple believes their property has the best view for this summer’s solar eclipse. And they should, considering they have been preparing for the event for close to 40 years.
Jon Brewster and his wife have taken some extreme measures to make sure nothing blocks their view.
Back in 1979, during the last total solar eclipse visible in Oregon, overcast skies blocked the view for many in Portland.
Since then, the Brewsters have been planning for nearly a lifetime to get the best view possible for the August event.
They built their house on a specific piece land in order to be in line with the eclipse, and even included a high tech, 7-foot, domed telescope in the plans.
Brewster said some may think all this work for such a short event is strange, but he wouldn’t have it any other way.
“We’ve been planning for all these years to be ready for the big great American eclipse,” Brewster said. “I wrote the dome control software and attached it to the scope software. All of this work for two minutes. I’m like, ‘Yes, of course. It was never a question.’”
Brewster will share his passion with 100 friends on eclipse weekend.
Local officials say stargazers are coming from England and France, even as far away as Japan and China, for the celestial event.
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