Saturday 14 March 2015

Solar Eclipse, Friday 20th Match



And here are the times it will be visible in different parts of the UK:
The further north you go the more complete the eclipse will be - hence Stornoway in the Outer Hebrides of ScotlandĀ is the place to be on this list
What's the best way to view it?
You should never look directly at the Sun with the naked eye, even if it is largely obscured.

Don’t be tempted, either, to wear just sunglasses or welder’s glasses, no matter how strong the UV protection. However, there are numerous ways to view the eclipse without going blind in the process:

Eclipse glasses: There are many available online, on sites such as Amazon and eBay, and they typically cost less than £10. Whether they are safe is another matter, and even if you are wearing them, do exercise caution, and perhaps still refrain from looking directly at the sun. 
It is best to consult a telescope or camera shop, which should have stocked up with suitable glasses.

Camera: It is only possible to use a camera safely if you have a solar filter mounted or have securely attached a solar filter sheet to the front of the lens. 
Sheets are available for about £20 at online stores such as Amazon, and should also be available at camera shops.


Colander: No, that’s not a misprint. If you hold an ordinary kitchen colander up to the Sun and cast the colander’s shadow onto a light surface, such as a white piece of card held about 20 in away, you will notice that the holes project an image of the Sun complete with a corresponding chunk taken out of it by the Moon. 
This is a fun and safe way to watch the eclipse without having to look directly at the Sun.

Bucket of water: This is perhaps the simplest method — fill a bucket with water and look at the Sun’s reflection on the surface. To make it appear more dramatic, line the bucket with a black bin liner.

Binoculars or telescope: Though you should never use binoculars or a telescope for looking at the Sun, you can still use them to watch an eclipse. After setting them up on a stand or tripod, point them towards the Sun — without looking through — until the light from the Sun is cast directly down their length and out through the eyepiece.
Then, place a piece of white card or paper behind the eyepiece, and an image of the Sun will appear. To bring it into focus, use the ring on your binoculars or telescope, or adjust the distance of the card.

Basic pinhole projector: Take two pieces of plain white paper or card and, with a drawing pin or similar, make a neat round hole in the middle of one sheet. When the eclipse is taking place, hold the paper with the hole in it towards the Sun and project the light onto the second sheet by holding it behind the first.
You will see that an inverted image of the partially eclipsed Sun will appear. To make the image bigger, move the second sheet farther away.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2994195/Next-Friday-morning-Britain-turn-day-night-time-century-great-eclipse.html#ixzz3ULhV4NPf
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