Image credit NASA from the http://www.svalbard2015.no/pages/eclipse.html website.
Next month on March the 20th we will be treated to a total solar eclipse with the main path of the eclipse being over the Faroe Islands and Svalbard in Norway.
For the rest of Europe, Greenland, parts of northern Africa and Asia we will be able to enjoy viewing a partial eclipse. Totality will occur at 9:45amUTC and last for 2 minutes and 47 seconds and depending on your location the first contact starts at 7:41amUTC and the even should be finished by 11:51amUTC.
A good website to work out timings for your location is http://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/solar/2015-march-20
The below image image shows the eclipse path.
Full image credit goes to www.timeanddate.com
For the rest of Europe, Greenland, parts of northern Africa and Asia we will be able to enjoy viewing a partial eclipse. Totality will occur at 9:45amUTC and last for 2 minutes and 47 seconds and depending on your location the first contact starts at 7:41amUTC and the even should be finished by 11:51amUTC.
A good website to work out timings for your location is http://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/solar/2015-march-20
The below image image shows the eclipse path.
Full image credit goes to www.timeanddate.com
The area in red will be seeing the total solar eclipse.
Dark Orange, More than 90% of the sun is covered.
Orange, Up to 90% of the sun is covered.
Light Orange, Up to 40% of the sun is covered.
With the white areas the Eclipse is not visible at all.
Dark Orange, More than 90% of the sun is covered.
Orange, Up to 90% of the sun is covered.
Light Orange, Up to 40% of the sun is covered.
With the white areas the Eclipse is not visible at all.
Safety Information
WARNING: Never look directly at the Sun without eye protection and proper filters!
Eye safety during an eclipse or any time you wish to view the Sun is extremely important, after all you only have one set of eyes so you don't want to damage them. Using some sensible precautions viewing an eclipse can be quite easy and safe for everybody young and old.
One of the easiest, cheapest and safest ways is to make a pinhole projector. This is a great way to get kids involved and all that is required are two pieces of cardboard and something to make a small hole in one of those pieces.
Instructions can be found here http://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/make-pinhole-projector.html
Tree foliage can also act as a natural projector so keep an eye out for the shadow cast by tree branches and you may just see a lot of little mini eclipses, again something fun to get kids involved.
Another cheap and safe method is to use a pair of solar eclipse glasses, these can be ordered online through any good telescope retailer for a small amount and even may be given away free at out reach or club public viewing events, check your local astro magazines as well.
For those who wish to view the eclipse using their telescopes then the easiest and safest method is to use an authorized solar filter, again these can be ordered from local retailers and can span a wide range of price brackets. I recommend using Baader Solar Film.
One tip though is to make sure you either cover your finder scope with a filter or replace the cap as if left uncovered it will become a fire hazard.
All in all viewing an eclipse can be a fun and enjoyable time for everybody and pending the weather I do really hope you can get to see it.
Below is a setup of mine from the last partial eclipse that is the same as I will be using this time around.
Eye safety during an eclipse or any time you wish to view the Sun is extremely important, after all you only have one set of eyes so you don't want to damage them. Using some sensible precautions viewing an eclipse can be quite easy and safe for everybody young and old.
One of the easiest, cheapest and safest ways is to make a pinhole projector. This is a great way to get kids involved and all that is required are two pieces of cardboard and something to make a small hole in one of those pieces.
Instructions can be found here http://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/make-pinhole-projector.html
Tree foliage can also act as a natural projector so keep an eye out for the shadow cast by tree branches and you may just see a lot of little mini eclipses, again something fun to get kids involved.
Another cheap and safe method is to use a pair of solar eclipse glasses, these can be ordered online through any good telescope retailer for a small amount and even may be given away free at out reach or club public viewing events, check your local astro magazines as well.
For those who wish to view the eclipse using their telescopes then the easiest and safest method is to use an authorized solar filter, again these can be ordered from local retailers and can span a wide range of price brackets. I recommend using Baader Solar Film.
One tip though is to make sure you either cover your finder scope with a filter or replace the cap as if left uncovered it will become a fire hazard.
All in all viewing an eclipse can be a fun and enjoyable time for everybody and pending the weather I do really hope you can get to see it.
Below is a setup of mine from the last partial eclipse that is the same as I will be using this time around.
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