The friday a.m. eclipse of the sun – only for the Druids?

[Isitmebut]

Isitmebut in order to SEE the damned thing, there have been more Blue Peter-esk cardboard and pin hole type contraptions shown of TV, some ‘I’ve prepared earlier’, than a non practical person should be asked to endure?

The fact is looking at the sun is almost guaranteed to cause eye problems (without one that works), as apparently around 70 people looking directly at the last eclipse and needed treatment, can testify.

Surely the surprise is so few, as when something catches your eye when not prepared for it, it is a human reaction to glare back.

So for the old grouches like me, or those with young children, ‘the danger is over’ between 8.30 am and 10.30pm, but for the eclipse anoraks, don’t ‘knock yourself out’ looking at it.

I really want to see it but I'm not going to faff around with card and a colander. Does anyone know how else I can see it safely bar on TV?

Proper solar filters. Or thick fog like we have...

yep, a dense cloud covering should prevent anyone damaging their eyes here.

As for the colander thing. 'multiple projections!'. give me strength.

bitter that I wasn't organised enough to buy glasses

I've bought the glasses this time.

In 1999, I watched a reflection on the bonnet of my dark blue car.

I wouldn't faff with a pinhole camera. It will be very underwhelming.

Like the 'Toy Story' upward focused little green people felt (within the claw vending machine) after the excitement/awe is over, what now?

Call me when we get the Sun on the NEAR SIDE of the moon.

Now THAT will be a life changing experience.lol

Well I was all ready for it and all we had was thick cloud. Until about an hour after it had all finished then the sky cleared and we had beautiful sunshine .

I was fortunate enough to be in a cloudless area, and with a pinhole camera (aka a cardboard box) and a colander, plus a handily-placed evergreen tree, saw some amazing sights.

it was very tempting to look but I quite like vision without a permanent black spot, so didn't.

so if you had the opportunity and missed it - well, that's your choice.

but then I find science interesting and exciting, and shrieky no-hopers on reality shows, violent car drivers, fashion and spectator sport to be utterly irrelevant. Hence I'm already in a tiny minority, it seems.