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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Anyone skipping this eclipse thing then?

245 replies

hotmumshit · Today 16:06

Disappointed Man GIF

Didnt know it was happening until yesterday

Broke until payday - cannot buy the glasses

Autistic 7yo will not understand nor care

Will just stick it on the telly and call it a day

Have LOVED saying 'full moon, half moon, total eclipse' to myself though 😄😩

OP posts:
Pefn · Today 17:09

TheDenimPoet · Today 16:52

Course you can, with brief glances. How often do you accidentally look at the sun when you turn a corner while driving, for example? Obviously you can't stand and stare at it for a full hour, but a glance won't hurt anyone.

When we were at school we used to play a game to see who could look at the sun for the longest, and none of us damaged our vision.

Show quote history

That was a very stupid game. There's no pain or squinting reflex in a solar eclipse so you don't instinctively close your eyes. This is really stupid advice

the80sweregreat · Today 17:10

It’s my last ever eclipse in the UK ! Sad isn’t it.
Wont be around for any others in the Uk unless I start traveling to see one elsewhere. Eclipse chaser !!

HappiestSleeping · Today 17:10

igelkott2026 · Today 16:18

I'll be doing an outdoor exercise class when it's on, so will probably steal a momentary peek. Might take a colander too :)

But I am actually pretty stunned that for once there will be good weather for it. In 1999 it was cloudy. In 1990 I saw a partial one in Finland but it was cloudy and you just saw it get a bit darker and lighter.

Anything at night I miss because I am in bed like the Northern Lights being on show a long way south.

So the fact that this is actually happening in good weather and when I am awake is a massive bonus. But I don't have the glasses so can't look properly.

If you're going to use a colander, make sure you don't strain your eyes.

OrangeFlower14 · Today 17:10

the80sweregreat · Today 17:10

It’s my last ever eclipse in the UK ! Sad isn’t it.
Wont be around for any others in the Uk unless I start traveling to see one elsewhere. Eclipse chaser !!

But you will be able to see your eclipses from wherever you’re going

MolkosTeenageAngst · Today 17:11

I don’t have the glasses and can’t be bothered to faff around making a pin hole camera etc but I
will sit out in the garden during it as I am usually out at that time in the evening anyway whilst the weathers out. Obviously I won’t be able to look at the sun but I guess if it gets a bit dark I’ll notice.

BMW58 · Today 17:11

I'm going to do the "colander and sheet of white paper" thing.

I remember 1999 - was proper eerie. My nephew burst into tears (6)

FaceEatingLeopard · Today 17:12

HelpmaBoabb · Today 16:11

You've put a giphy of a man in your question. What is the relevance?

None. OP loves them though.

MargaretThursday · Today 17:13

On the beach with glasses.
Looking forward to it.

mimbleandlittlemy · Today 17:13

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Really, don't.

Can I not use my phone?
You might be tempted to watch or film the eclipse using your mobile phone, either by pointing it at the Sun or taking a selfie video, but Nasa advises against this., external
"To take images when the Sun is partially eclipsed, you'll need to use a special solar filter to protect your camera, just as you'll need a pair of solar viewing glasses (also called eclipse glasses) to protect your eyes."
They also say sensors in your phone could be damaged if pointed directly at the Sun.
"This is especially true if you're using any sort of magnifying lens attachment on the phone."

NASA (@NASA) on X

@MKBHD We asked our @NASAHQPhoto team, and the answer is yes, the phone sensor could be damaged just like any other image sensor if it’s pointed directly at the Sun. This is especially true if you’re using any sort of magnifying lens attachment on the...

https://x.com/NASA/status/1775987385475403874

Muffsies · Today 17:13

PrincessScarlett · Today 17:09

No doubt the news tomorrow will focus on an increase in visits to A&E for eye related issues 😂

You just can't stop people being twats

the80sweregreat · Today 17:13

I loved the bbc presenter at Greenwich today to a little boy with eclipse glasses on.
‘ why are you here?’
🙄

Clydebuilt · Today 17:14

hotmumshit · Today 16:19

He's as irritated by the whole thing as I am!

During the 90s, the glasses were given free, it's all a faff

Show quote history

Well, luckily it it isn’t compulsory…

SavBlancinRecovery · Today 17:15

Your choice but it’s a very unique and not very often in a lifetime event.

I would have been pretty annoyed at my parents if they didn’t make even a bit of an effort with such a huge event happening over my country.

NASA have a livestream commentary maybe worth watching?

edited to add link

https://www.youtube.com/live/rSvCuSQhC3w?si=EIwncO3gBV_Jrl4B

PyschodelicSoup · Today 17:16

Candleflakes · Today 16:11

How did you not know about it? It’s everywhere on the news/social media and has been all week.

My autistic 7 year old is excited

I get your point, but some of us are not on social media, don't have TVs and don't read the news (it's too depressing).

I get we are probably the minority bit there are a few of us about.

TheBirdintheCave · Today 17:16

My five year old and I made a pinhole viewer so we’re looking forward to using that. Though he did threaten to keep it for himself 🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️

saveforthat · Today 17:17

NooNakedJacuzziness · Today 16:42

I don’t know what to do (I’m always in the dark)

We're living in a powder keg and giving off sparks.
Have had that on my brain all week.

GasPanic · Today 17:17

pastadish · Today 17:08

I’m not going to see it as have no glasses but I’ll stand outside and experience it. We went outside at work in 1999 so saw the total eclipse. I’ve told the kids they need to experience it so wherever they are stand outside, why would anyone not want to experience it? I’ll be long dead in 2081 when the next near total will happen

Edited

I reckon about 2120 is the best time to be born if you are interested in UK eclipses.

There are about 8x total solar eclipses in the space of about 70 years.

The last total one before 1999 was about 1927, and the next total one in the UK is about 2090. So not really many opportunities to watch total eclipses here.

pag3turn3r · Today 17:17

CaveMum · Today 16:58

2015 I remember standing in the garden at work (East Anglia) and while it didn’t get particularly dark (more like an overcast afternoon), the birds all stopped twittering and we got that weird solar wind thing that you sometimes hear about.

I’ll be standing in the garden with a colander seeing as I’ll most likely be dead by the time the next one to cross the UK comes around.

It is on my bucket list to witness a total eclipse though so I shall have to start planning some holidays!

there's another one next year! we travelled to see it in Spain this tine. Next year you can see it in Gibraltar- 2nd Aug 2027

the80sweregreat · Today 17:18

I really need you tonight ! Shame that Bonnie Tyler died the other week :(

CaveMum · Today 17:20

pag3turn3r · Today 17:17

there's another one next year! we travelled to see it in Spain this tine. Next year you can see it in Gibraltar- 2nd Aug 2027

Show quote history

Oooh, thanks!

Original poster
hotmumshit · Today 17:22

PyschodelicSoup · Today 17:16

I get your point, but some of us are not on social media, don't have TVs and don't read the news (it's too depressing).

I get we are probably the minority bit there are a few of us about.

Edited
Show quote history

I genuinely didnt know 😄

@Candleflakes I saw it on this morning today! Now its all ive heard about all day!

Dd doesnt care i can assure you - she is busy watching hey duggee and turning the bath into a 'smimming pool'

OP posts:
the80sweregreat · Today 17:22

My dh’s birthday !
I may try and book a holiday in Gibraltar then .

Natsku · Today 17:22

I will probably be outside with a colander and a sheet of white paper, if I get out of the sauna in time (so there's a good chance I won't be). But I'm wondering if I'll even be able to see from my garden as it'll be fairly close to sunset where I am so will be low in the sky so might be hidden by buildings and whatnot.

ThreadGuardDog · Today 17:24

Octosmugge · Today 16:09

Yah me, I'm just not bothered, I remember the 90s one fine. I'll look at the gloomy light but I dont need to see it, I get it 🤷‍♀️

This will be better than the 1999 one - 90% coverage of the sun. I’m getting the wine and snacks ready !!

Mumtotornadoes · Today 17:25

I didn't know till Monday but I want the kids to see it. Although I don't remember the 90s one but at least I'll be able to tell them they saw it 🤷

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