![]() See the shape of the Sun projected onto the paper - a small version of the event!Īncient myths from many cultures around the world have explained eclipses as a time when an animal or demon eats the Sun or Moon.Įven today, modern superstitions exist surrounding eclipses, with some believing that they could harm pregnant women.Hold the card up to the Sun, and hold a piece of paper behind the card.The safest, cheapest and arguably the most convenient way to view the event is by pinhole projection. This is extremely safe as there is no need to look directly at the Sun and the display can be shared by a few people together.These must be the real deal, not 3D glasses or anything similar. If you can’t get out to these events and still want to look at the eclipse directly, you can purchase solar eclipse viewing glasses.Check and see if your local astronomical society is hosting a solar eclipse event as they will have many instruments specifically for solar viewing or telescopes that have been fitted with the right filters.If you want to look at an eclipse directly and safely there are a couple of options. Many people went to view the eclipse in Cornwall, the only place in the UK to witness totality, with the BBC broadcasting from Cornwall's western end where the eclipse would come first.Īs always, with any observing event involving the Sun, it should never be looked at directly without the appropriate filters. In some places, the clouds frustratingly parted after the eclipse had passed, but others were luckier with the clouds parting just in time. However, many areas of Western Europe were affected by poor visibility due to clouds. This was one of the most viewed total solar eclipses due to its path falling on areas of high population density. The last time the path of an eclipse's totality went over the UK was in 1999. When was the last total solar eclipse in the UK? Western Africa, North America, South America, Pacific, Atlantic, Arctic South/East Asia, Australia, Pacific, Indian Ocean, Antarctica Total solar eclipses are seen every 400 years from any one place on the surface of the Earth. There are between two and five solar eclipses each year with a total eclipse taking place every 18 months or so. The Moon is illuminated by light that has passed through the Earth's atmosphere and has been bent back towards the Moon by refraction.įind out more about lunar eclipses When is the next solar eclipse in the UK? During a total eclipse, the Moon does not disappear entirely but turns a deep, dark red. ![]() What is a lunar eclipse?Īn eclipse of the Moon occurs when the Earth lies directly between the Sun and the Moon and the Moon lies in the shadow of the Earth. Even where the Moon's disk obscures the Sun centrally, the outer ring of the Sun's disk is still visible. When the Moon is not at its closest to the Earth, its apparent diameter is less than that of the Sun.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |