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Original poster

Partial solar eclipse for the UK ~ Friday 20th March, 2015

277 replies

GloriaSmud · 01/01/2015 11:29

The UK won’t get totality but depending on where you are, 80-90% of the sun should be covered. More info here.
Let’s hope for clear skies!

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Thread gallery
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JillJ72 · 01/01/2015 23:35

I think this is when Stargazing Live will be on, to tie in. Something to look forward to!

Original poster
GloriaSmud · 02/01/2015 21:38

I've just done a 'Google' on StargazingLive (they'd normally be on this month) and they confirmed a few months ago on their facebook page that they're going to be broadcasting at eclipse time. Ooo exciting stuff!

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BlackeyedSantaStuckUpAChimney · 03/01/2015 11:25

thanks.

Original poster
GloriaSmud · 20/02/2015 08:39

Just giving a little bumpity- bump to this as it's 1 month to go!

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WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 20/02/2015 08:45

Yes, unfortunately I read that it will be between 8.30 and 9.30am which coincides with dropping DCs at school so we won't be able to watch it together.

DH and I saw the 1999 total one from a ferry in the middle of the English channel, not a cloud in the sky, an experience that will stay with me for the rest of my life.

Original poster
GloriaSmud · 20/02/2015 09:00

It's a shame it does clash with the school run.
Oh, you were so lucky being somewhere cloudless for the 1999 one! DH and I (with 6 week out DD1 who slept through it!) were staying in Torquay at the time and walked to an area just outside the town. It was mostly cloudy but it was still amazing to watch the shadow come racing across the sea from over Brixham way and see the effects of totality ~ the street lights coming on, the birds stopped singing and feeling the temperature drop.

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CatsClaus · 20/02/2015 09:03

oh...i had no idea about this!

We had a glimpse of one...maybe 1998?? We're in NE Scotland.

80-90% is good though.

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 20/02/2015 09:29

It was just a fluke, my parents live near a channel ferry port and I was glancing through their local paper one day and noticed a tiny little article saying best views will be from the P&O ferries in the middle of the channel, it was DH's birthday the week of the eclipse, so I got straight on the phone and booked us on for a birthday surprise. We had to go all the way to France and back afterwards for no real purpose which was a bit weird, but it was amazing when the two ferries crossing in each direction dropped anchor next to each other in the middle of the channel and watched the eclipse together.

Perihelion · 20/02/2015 13:05

For the 1999 eclipse, I was on a horse in the arse end of nowhere in the NW Highlands. Even that far North it went a wee bit darker, but most noticably, all the birds went quiet.

oricella · 23/02/2015 19:15

Just found a fascinating impact report on the upcoming eclipse; with all the solar PV now installed in Europe there will be a significant impact for electricity providers and transmission managers.. I bet they are hoping for a cloudy day Grin

AnyFucker · 23/02/2015 19:22

there is to be a live webcast here

OhYouBadBadKitten · 25/02/2015 11:04

I was trying to work out the issue with pvs. It seems to be the gradient of change in power generation.
Most of us won't see the skies really darkening I think, not unless you are up in Scotland.

kippersmum · 27/02/2015 16:50

I'm getting excited for this, we are nearly as far north as scotland so I'm hoping we will see something. I have volunteered to help at the DCs school as they will all be watching in the yard.

I saw the 1999 one in Hungary & the 2001 one in Zambia & both will stay with me for the rest of my life :)

GingerPhoenix · 27/02/2015 16:58

I'm chuffed to bits about it as it's on my birthday :)

Cooroo · 09/03/2015 06:39

Not long now! I've ordered my glasses and thought I'd bump the thread.

I'm thinking of telling work I'll be in late. Most of them think it's boring and I couldn't bear to waste an eclipse in such company. Hoping desperately for clear skies.

Moniker1 · 09/03/2015 06:43

If I understand the map it is around 10am.

Cooroo · 09/03/2015 07:43

Maximum in leeds is 9.43

AnyFucker · 09/03/2015 10:05

Does anybody know if the glasses are essential, and if so where to get them from ? Thanks.

Original poster
GloriaSmud · 09/03/2015 10:42

AF ~ I hadn't thought about needing glasses but it does say here that to be safe, they will be needed.
Amazon (is there anything that they don't sell!) have got them here.

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AnyFucker · 09/03/2015 10:44

cheers

AnyFucker · 09/03/2015 10:47

Gosh, some of those are very expensive !

Alabamarama · 09/03/2015 10:47

You can get the glasses from www.green-witch.com. I was in touch with them when I got mine a few days ago and they've got stock. I looked on Amazon but they couldn't guarantee delivery in time as their stock comes from Israel.

Alabamarama · 09/03/2015 10:56

The ones I ordered were about £2.99

AnyFucker · 09/03/2015 10:57

Green witch have suspended sales for now.

AnyFucker · 09/03/2015 10:58

Grr, wish I had been better organised