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29/03/2006
Eclipse of Sun visible from UK
A total eclipse of the sun will track across the Atlantic, central Africa, south eastern Europe and central Asia.
As the moon crosses in front of the Sun, the partial eclipse will be visible from northern Europe to southern Africa. But in those regions where the total eclipse occurs night will turn to day for up to four minutes as the moon's shadow sweeps across the Earth from west to east.
The UK will see a 10% eclipse in the northern regions to a 20% eclipse in the south between 10:45am and 12:25pm on Wednesday.
However, people are at risk of permanently damaging their eyesight and even risk blindness if they look directly at the partial eclipse. Chief Medical Officer Sir Liam Donaldson warned: "Under no circumstances should you look at the partial eclipse directly. The risks to your eyesight from looking at the Sun are very real and could lead to irreversible damage to your eyesight and even blindness.
"Children are especially vulnerable as they will be tempted to take a peek and I urge all parents to ensure their children enjoy the partial eclipse safely."
Chair of the Education Committee at the Royal Astronomical Society, Julien King, said: "An indirect and safe way of enjoying the Sun during a partial eclipse, or anytime, is by using a 'pinhole camera' which allows you to view a projected image of the Sun. A perfectly adequate (and portable) version can be made out of two thin but stiff pieces of white cardboard.
"Punch a small clean pinhole (1-2mm) in one piece of cardboard and let the sunlight fall through that hole onto the second piece of cardboard held below it, which serves as a screen. An inverted image of the Sun is formed. To make the image larger, move the screen farther from the pinhole. To make the image brighter, move the screen closer to the pinhole. Do not make the pinhole wide or you will only have a shaft of sunlight rather than an image of the crescent Sun.
"Remember, this instrument is used with your back to the Sun. The sunlight passes over your shoulder, through the pinhole, and forms an image on the cardboard screen beneath it. Do not look through the pinhole at the Sun."
The total eclipse will be most pronunced in Libya where the eclipse will last for around seven minutes as the moon transits the Sun's disk.
(SP)
As the moon crosses in front of the Sun, the partial eclipse will be visible from northern Europe to southern Africa. But in those regions where the total eclipse occurs night will turn to day for up to four minutes as the moon's shadow sweeps across the Earth from west to east.
The UK will see a 10% eclipse in the northern regions to a 20% eclipse in the south between 10:45am and 12:25pm on Wednesday.
However, people are at risk of permanently damaging their eyesight and even risk blindness if they look directly at the partial eclipse. Chief Medical Officer Sir Liam Donaldson warned: "Under no circumstances should you look at the partial eclipse directly. The risks to your eyesight from looking at the Sun are very real and could lead to irreversible damage to your eyesight and even blindness.
"Children are especially vulnerable as they will be tempted to take a peek and I urge all parents to ensure their children enjoy the partial eclipse safely."
Chair of the Education Committee at the Royal Astronomical Society, Julien King, said: "An indirect and safe way of enjoying the Sun during a partial eclipse, or anytime, is by using a 'pinhole camera' which allows you to view a projected image of the Sun. A perfectly adequate (and portable) version can be made out of two thin but stiff pieces of white cardboard.
"Punch a small clean pinhole (1-2mm) in one piece of cardboard and let the sunlight fall through that hole onto the second piece of cardboard held below it, which serves as a screen. An inverted image of the Sun is formed. To make the image larger, move the screen farther from the pinhole. To make the image brighter, move the screen closer to the pinhole. Do not make the pinhole wide or you will only have a shaft of sunlight rather than an image of the crescent Sun.
"Remember, this instrument is used with your back to the Sun. The sunlight passes over your shoulder, through the pinhole, and forms an image on the cardboard screen beneath it. Do not look through the pinhole at the Sun."
The total eclipse will be most pronunced in Libya where the eclipse will last for around seven minutes as the moon transits the Sun's disk.
(SP)
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
