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

[GloriaSmud]

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!

I even have the day off work !

Ah that's not so good. I know they're waiting for stock coming in. I had a really nice email from them yesterday. It might be worth emailing them letting them know how many pairs you're after and asking if you can go on a waiting list.

good idea

Thanks Alaba, that is a good idea.

Daft question but can you just use normal sun glasses?

I wouldn't have thought so, they are not recommended for looking straight into the sun

Thanks for the reminder. Just ordered some glasses from a site saying 'delivery within 7-10 working days' in hopes they will arrive on time...

what site ?

This one

www.firstlightoptics.com/solar-filters/baader-solar-eclipse-observing-glasses.html

Of course now I have spent money, they won't arrive on time, and newspapers will give the damn things away for free. But it said it has a 30 day money back policy so I thought it was worth a shot.

thanks

you reckon newspapers will give them away ?

When I saw the last one in '99, someone was using old photograph negatives to view the eclipse. They had taped about 10 together and could see through them without getting the glare. Don't know how safe it was, but seemed to work ok.

argh! do not even THINK about using sunglasses, or anything except specialist gear. And certainly not binoculars. I wouldn't trust ANY glasses.

every time there is an eclipse at least one dipstick gets eye damage. The eclipse lowers the apparent brightness of the sun enough to remove your normal 'look away' reflex, but there is still plenty left to spot-weld your retina.

get a colander and a piece of white paper and watch the effect on the shadows. Same with plant shadows. See the actual eclipse on a webcam recording later, for the event get out there.

let's hope for a clear sky.

ditto photo negatives and any other bone-headed home-made ideas. What is WRONG with people?

AnyFucker I am sure last time there were some free with newspapers, though as specialsubject says, they might not be good enough quality and its not worth risking your eyesight.

Mind you I have got really annoying floaters in one eye. Maybe the eclipse could cure me?!?! (JOKE)

I am very short sighted. Perhaps I could get some DIY lasering ?

You could practice on one eye, just in case... If it works ok there is another eclipse in 2026 so you could match them up then

www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/in/uk/london

This is a nice animation showing the timing (in London but I think you can search for other cities)

I ordered my glasses from Jodrell Bank, but the website's currently showing out of stock.

Wow, fascinating!

I bought glasses in 1999 and visited friends in Luxembourg - then it completely clouded over! It was amazing though as it darkened and went silent. Glasses long lost so hope the ones I ordered get here in time.

Hope this works: www.amazon.co.uk/gp/r.html?C=11P1MGQVK7Z7I&K=A2UNTBPD0QBUOY&R=3O6NVXN4AFSG7&T=C&U=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.co.uk%2Fdp%2FB00KDGIWAG%2Fref%3Dpe_385721_37986871_TE_item&A=GEPHJ3LSVEZNIDR82TQ9HMHBWBIA&H=JAQDVBI7OAOE0BE1ILCV2VCKR4EA

delivery time from Israel

1-2 weeks

hmmm

Try Education Harbour. They also sell rainbow and spiral diffraction glasses.....slightly pissed off that DH didn't order any of them

The eclipse glasses don't appear to let any light through at all except the Sun.

Am considering sending DD into school late if we have a cloudless sky as I don't imagine they'll be letting the kids watch the eclipse.

Please do be really careful where you are buying your glasses from.

I project the sun on to card using an old telescope. It works really well.

I've just ordered these... I'm hoping they'll be safe enough??