To tell DD's school that if they won't let her watch the solar eclipse, I'll keep her home until its over?

[listsandbudgets]

I asked today what they were doing about it and the head said they were just carrying on as normal.

I want DD to see it. DD is desperate to see it. Its 90% here so worth seeing. We can easily make a pin hole projector though I will try to get some eye protection.

AIBU?

yes me too - where it starts where we are it will be at 8.30 ish just as we are dropping them off at school, then at peak of 9.30 they will be walking between buildings to go swimming.

I presume looking at it through a window of a modern building is also a risk?

I seem to remember looking at the 90's one directly (as a silly teenager) and don't seem to have any eyesight issues. Not that I would take any chances with the kids of course but just wondered what the risk level was.

I just ordered some solar glasses - on Amazon as couldn't get ebay to work for me (password probs) - so think DC especially will enjoy that MN is good for these things! Thanks to those who posted links - Samiam- so I knew what I was looking for

I expect the risks to eyesight may contribute to schools trying to down-play this event. I think mass provision of glasses to all might be better though - I'm sure last time for the '99 eclipse we got some free glasses from a magazine? Slightly disappointing that radio times didn't do that this time though they have it featured on front cover

We often take a quick glance at the sun without thinking about it. But positively observing it is a different thing.

If the glasses fall off, look away and put them back on. It's not like you won't notice, they're really dark. The eye damage won't happen from a brief glimpse like you'd get if the glasses fall off.

Do supervise your kids if they're watching the eclipse. I wouldn't let kids go outside unsupervised during the eclipse unless they're mature enough to understand that they shouldn't look directly at the Sun.

Someone has gotten a Darwin award for driving while wearing eclipse glasses. Not only could you die in a stupid way if you did that, you wouldn't even be the first one. It's illegal in the UK to drive while wearing sunglasses that transmit less than 8% of the light that falls on them, which includes eclipse glasses.

Apparently the glass needs to be shade 13 or 14 which is right at the top end, so it depends what kind of welder you are!

I bought some Shade 14 replacement welding lenses for £1 each on eBay. Just a rectangle of glass (plastic?) to hold rather than actual glasses.

astronomycentre.co.uk have some at £3 a pair.

Solar Viewer

Our weekend homework is to make a pin hole camera with DD!
YANBU, a solar eclipse is a relatively rare event in the UK and well worth turning into an educational moment.

I remember the 1999 eclipse and I recall feeling very disappointed as it didn't even go that dark. Just a bit glum and grey. All that build up for nothing.

DD's school have been told they are not allowed to let the children go out to watch it (I assume by the local authority - or the headteacher just made that up) even with the eclipse glasses. I imagine making sure a bunch of primary school students keep the glasses on would actually be very tricky. Some of them have a lot of trouble following any instructions at all so I wouldn't want the extra stress of that if I was a teacher. Pity though.

The Sky at Night magazine has a free pair on the cover- there were 6 copies in my W H Smith today, so worth a look for anyone who is desperate.

What are people with very young children doing? I've got to take DD to nursery, she's a plank and stares up at the sky a lot. I'm worried she'll just want to stare at it, but she's too young for eclipse glasses.

Is this a total PFB concern?

I've just bought some from The Astronomy Centre, they've got about 25 pairs left at the moment and will ship tomorrow. Very polite and helpful staff.

Thanks lemuriformes for the tip off.

I've organised our secondary school to take all students out and I have raised it with the primary too (science teacher here)

There next partial eclipse is August 12th 2026 and then again in 2027

The next total eclipse will, as others have said, be 2090.

So I see it as massively important to at least try.

If you missed the simulation here of what it will look like this is what I have been showing the students. The further north you live, the more coverage there will be.

I would imagine that the BBc will be filming live to show the total eclipse form the ferroe islands from above cloud lines.

Fingers crossed for good weather!!

Dd1's whole secondary are going out to the local park to watch, they will have to purchase glasses for 50p that morning, anyone who doesn't will be kept in school. Don't know about primary yet, will ask next week I think, would be a shame for them to miss it. However, we're in northeast Scotland, weather may not cooperate!

The BBC Sky At Night people are indeed going to be on the Faroes, where totality is. But the weather will be a big factor.

I was in the total zone in France in 99, but got clouded out right on totality. I did get to see a total eclipse in China in 2009, and plan to go to the States to experience the 2017 one.

A PARTIAL eclipse is not the same at all. Even at 90% coverage you will barely notice it getting any darker, and there won't be birds roosting or flowers going to sleep.

DO NOT LOOK AT THE SUN. It is extremely dangerous, and people have damaged their sight by attempting this.

I can imagine that some schools just don't feel able to ensure all children are properly protected and don't want the hassle of parents complaining about damaged eyes.

Perhaps they should offer the option of either staying inside at school or coming in late so that parents can sort out protection and take responsibility? I would certainly have done that with my DC

So glad to see this thread. Asked school what they were doing ...no response. Have bought solar glasses and will take my girls in late. It is potentially a once in a life time event which I really want them to experience in the outdoors. Will probably get told off, but frankly don't care. They will hopefully remember this for the rest of their lives. Sure H & S will,prevent school from letting them view it. Sad state of education today.

We are ensuring it through lessons we are doing over the last week and into next. This is because the eclipse will start at 8.30 and take two hours for the moon to cross. And I want to make sure that they know how to view properly on the way to school and between lessons.

I was in Cornwall in 1999 and even though it was cloudy, it was still an amazing experience. Part of the education we are doing is to explain that the way our eyes adjust will mean that it will not appear to go that dark and you will need to view it properly to see the moon cross the sun.

I got some from the Astronomy Centre too, thanks to Lemur for link

So I'll have a short look but then it's quite good too on the telly, especially with Sky at Night people from the Faroes I imagine. I've watched other eclipses on TV as well as getting good views of the one in '99 in RL - we went camping in the SW specially for that - when dd was a baby - I told her not to look - just kidding she was only about 4 mths

Schools could have a special assembly and watch live on TV - might be easier to keep everyone safe that way? - if slightly less exciting and memorable

I said upthread our primary school was inviting the children in early and selling glasses.

Today I happened to see the head, who says he will be sending a letter out with instructions/safety warnings in advance. I will have the nearly-4yo and the 6yo who will both be thoroughly drilled in advance.

I expect I will end up watching them more than the sky itself

am surprised and appaulled the school are not doing anything regarding this. what a great way to capture the interest and inspire kids. these experiences dont come round often. OP, keep her home!