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!

Looks like these are the same ones listed on amazon for much more money.

I don't know alwaysone, I just remember Patrick Moore giving out dire warnings prior to the last eclipse. It's something I'm really cautious about.

My eclipse glasses arrived today!

Oh no BadKitten, how are we to know? Buying from a reputable seller (like Jodrell Bank) is the best bet I suppose. But they're sold out!

I got an email from First Light Optics to say they have stock and 3-5 working days delivery

I have ordered.

If you watch the reflection of the eclipse in a bowl of water, you won't damage your eyes.

Ok, I've been doing some reading as the last eclipse was rather a while ago. I think that as long as they have the CE mark on them you should be fine. Always, I think they should be fine.

Might be worth looking to see if Astronomy Now have any free glasses with their latest magazine as the front cover on line actually shows some people wearing some!

Apparently the bbc sky at night magazine has glasses with them.

Radio Times (out today) has an eclipse guide (along with advertising Stargazing Live and the Stargazing Eclipse Special next week) which says about eclipse glasses:

"You must use special solar glasses that contain ultra-strong filters. Do not use ordinary sunglasses, binoculars, welder's goggles or a telescope." It also includes some ways of observing the eclipse here.

The Radio Times has Dara O'Briain and Brian Cox wearing them as well! (DH thinks they look like a bad Pet Shop Boys tribute band with them on!)

I've found some in stock, that I would trust I think www.firstlightoptics.com/solar-filters/baader-solar-eclipse-observing-glasses.html

I ordered those, BadK. They say 3-5 days delivery.

Oh, so you did
Fingers crossed that they arrive in time!

For those that haven't bought glasses yet, this months issue of the BBC Sky at Night magazine has free eclipse glasses.

Well bugger I knew it!

Waiting ~ I know! Having said that, I've just looked in 2 newsagents on the way back from the school run and they haven't got it (one hadn't even heard of it!) and I've just looked at Sainsburys online and nothing there either.
Maybe it needs to be teleported in, StarTrek syle!

I'll try and do a daily forecast for the event.

At the moment it looks like it may be cloudy, but high pressure lights tantalisingly close.

Thanks BadKitten. If it is cloudy I will be most disappointed though. Can we get together to hire a MN plane to fly above the clouds? We could form an eclipseclique. Actually I wonder if planes are allowed to fly in an eclipse or if it breaks them...

They do do special eclipse flights, but I think it must be quite frustrating because everyone has to take it in turns sitting at the window on one side of the plane.

I can confirm the Sky at Night mag has eclipse glasses, they had a few copies in our local WHSmiths. Astronomy Now didn't despite their cover photo. Shame - I prefer Astronomy Now.

That edition of the mag has been out for a couple of weeks (DH gets it normally) so they are probably pretty well sold out now. We've still got a pair from 1999, I wonder if they will still be safe? Not going to risk it I don't think.

LOL at eclipse plane seat swapping, imagine the whole thing listing to one side...

Our WHSmith has no real magazines. It is too full of special first editions of build your own shite, discounted but still ludicrously priced chocolate and people arguing about paying 1p for a bag.

I might set my alarm for 20th to play Prince, when else can we say 'we're gonna party like its 1999'?

What a fab idea Waiting! I might join you in that! Its so funny. dd was a baby in my tummy during the last one and I was full of wonderings about what life would bring with a child. It's such a shame its on a school day as I would have loved to have shared it with her, but I've ordered a few glasses (feeling much more reassured about them now) and will be packing her off with them so that they can be divvied out across the class.

I've ordered some thick welders glass, we used that in 1999 and were fine.

I just have, too this vehicle- (ducks, awaiting to be told how irresponsible I am now).

I was fine with a welding mask in 1999 too.