Solar eclipse, Supermoon, Spring equinox: Friday will see three rare celestial events

[Crimson Dynamo]

are you ready for the D A R K :shocked:

http://www.independent.co.uk/incoming/article10109892.ece/alternates/w620/9-Eclipse-Getty.jpg



it will be around 9.30 depending on where you live - need to be careful if driving!

You may recall the hoo ha in 1999?

[Crimson Dynamo]

http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEplot/SEplot2001/SE2015Mar20T.GIF

[Livia]

Is it the end of the world again?

[Kizzy]

The March 20 total solar eclipse event will be the first since Nov. 3, 2013. The dark umbral shadow cone of the moon will trace a curved path primarily over the North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans, beginning off the southern tip of Greenland and then winding its way counterclockwise to the northeast, passing between Iceland and the United Kingdom.
The shadow will then pass over the Danish-owned Faroe Islands, the sparsely inhabited Norwegian island group of Svalbard and then it will hook counterclockwise toward the northwest, where it leaves the Earth’s surface just short of the North Pole.'

http://www.space.com/28820-total-solar-eclipse-march-2015.html

[Crimson Dynamo]

i think toysoldier posted this but its worth a repost as its mind boggling

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cc/Star-sizes.jpg

[Kizzy]

The size of that pic is... :laugh:

[Crimson Dynamo]

The size of that pic is... :laugh:

welp

it was a big bigger than i expected:hehe:


thats what she said

[arista]

are you ready for the D A R K :shocked:

http://www.independent.co.uk/incoming/article10109892.ece/alternates/w620/9-Eclipse-Getty.jpg



it will be around 9.30 depending on where you live - need to be careful if driving!

You may recall the hoo ha in 1999?

So long as its not Cloudy on Friday AM

[Suze]

You need Josy's help resizing you, LT :joker:

[Crimson Dynamo]

You need Josy's help resizing you, LT :joker:

she cannot handle my massive venus


:fan:

[JoshBB]

this eclipse thing is really exciting.

apparently you shouldn't take pictures though because it damages your phone?

[Crimson Dynamo]

this eclipse thing is really exciting.

apparently you shouldn't take pictures though because it damages your phone?

damage your eyes more like

[JoshBB]

damage your eyes more like

i know that's true,

but how about the phone thing? or is that just a ploy by my physics teacher to stop us getting our phones out :suspect:

[Crimson Dynamo]

i know that's true,

but how about the phone thing? or is that just a ploy by my physics teacher to stop us getting our phones out :suspect:

yes

unless you have a solar filter you will not be able to take a pic anyroad

[Josy]

Really hoping we don't have a lot of cloud cover tomorrow, but normally when stuff like this happens we always do :fist:

A near-total solar eclipse will occur in the skies above Britain this week, prompting warnings about the dangers of watching the spectacle without taking precautions.


The eclipse will begin around 8.30am on Friday and last for two hours as the moon moves in front of the Sun.

The proportion of the Sun covered by the moon will increase the further north you are.

In London, 84% of the Sun will be covered, while in Edinburgh the proportion is 93%.

The last solar eclipse of such significance took place in August 1999, when a total eclipse occurred.

Tour operators have organised trips based around the event, which will briefly allow the Sun's outer atmosphere to be seen.

Robin Scagell, vice-president of the Society for Popular Astronomy (SPA), who will be travelling on the P&O cruise ship Oriana to witness the eclipse, said the event will be "memorable".

"We won't experience totality in the UK, but it will still be a memorable event," he said.

"Depending on where you are, up to 90% of the Sun will be covered over."

Organised events are being held in London's Regent's Park and the Royal Observatory in Greenwich.

In the lead up to the event, experts have offered advice on safety and warned of the perils of Sun-watching.

A spokeswoman for The Royal College of Ophthalmologists said: "The general public must remember that they should not look directly at the Sun or at a solar eclipse, either with the naked eye, even if dark filters such as sunglasses or photographic negatives are used, nor through optical equipment such as cameras, binoculars or telescopes.

"There is no safe system to directly view an eclipse.

"Particular care should be taken with children. Children should not be allowed to look directly at the Sun at any time."

Sky weather presenter Isobel Lang said: "It is too early to give a detailed forecast for Friday morning's solar eclipse but the general theme is for a northwesterly breeze to bring in fairly cloudy skies.

"Weakening fronts are also likely to spread in some rain, although there is still a chance that most places will be dry.

"The best of any clear/sunny spells at this stage looks set to be across central and southwestern areas."


Read more here

http://news.sky.com/story/1445691/solar-eclipse-will-be-memorable-but-beware

[Glenn.]

They give mist and cloud where I am so Im not expecting to see it. Plus I'm in the half of the country which will only see 85% of the sun covered.

[Liam-]

Here for random people around the world being brought together through the discovery that the eclipse has given them powers..

That would make a cracking plot for a TV show :hehe:

[Crimson Dynamo]

remember and dont look at it with the naked eye

[Livia]

Looking forward to this. The programme with Brian Cox and Dara O'Briain was great last night with the legend Buzz Aldrin as a guest.

[James]

remember and dont look at it with the naked eye

Project it through a hole in a piece of paper to see it. Or use a colander from your kitchen, and you'll see lots of little suns. I did that in '99.

[Suze]

Won't this smog now affect the visibility?

[Livia]

Looking through a strip of undeveloped 35mm film works.

[Crimson Dynamo]

http://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/625/media/images/81719000/gif/_81719123_eclipse_uk_624map.gif
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/03/19/26CCF4FA00000578-3002232-Depending_on_where_you_are_in_the_UK_the_time_of_w hen_the_eclips-a-2_1426768793174.jpg

[James]

Looking through a strip of undeveloped 35mm film works.

According to this - http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:mHGcQU1vbZAJ:eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEhelp/safety.html+&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=uk - you shouldn't use film?


Unsafe filters include all color film, black-and-white film that contains no silver, photographic negatives with images on them (x-rays and snapshots), smoked glass, sunglasses (single or multiple pairs), photographic neutral density filters and polarizing filters. Most of these transmit high levels of invisible infrared radiation which can cause a thermal retinal burn

[Kizzy]

Stay safe when viewing the eclipse
Observers must take care when taking photos of the eclipse on digital devices, as eye experts have warned that doing so could cause blindness. Skygazers have been told to not look directly at the sun when they take selfies and other photographs, as doing so can lead to burns at the back of the eye, even with the use of dark sunglasses.

Though looking at the eclipse on a screen is not dangerous in itself, it might lead to inadvertently looking at it in the process of trying to capture the perfect shot.

When viewing the eclipse, you can use a homemade pinhole camera and face away from the sun.


http://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/mar/19/solar-eclipse-what-you-need-to-know

EGCYu7RMZLo

[Livia]

According to this - http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:mHGcQU1vbZAJ:eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEhelp/safety.html+&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=uk - you shouldn't use film?

Blimey, good to know. Thanks James.

[Northern Monkey]

Yep.We have our eclipse glasses ready.Hope there's no cloud.Was foggy here this morning though so not getting my hopes up.

[Crimson Dynamo]

wales, midlands and lincolnshire may get a good sighting

I have no chance

[GypsyGoth]

http://i.imgur.com/XQTwGNV.gif

[Ninastar]

i want some eclipse glasses :(

[Northern Monkey]

i want some eclipse glasses :(Ha.My misses got em.I never knew they were a thing.:laugh:

[Ninastar]

there's none left in my town :sad:

[arista]

there's none left in my town :sad:


Watch it on SkyNewsHD

more safe


From 8:20AM - 9:40AM

[Kizzy]

Watch it on SkyNewsHD

more safe


From 8:20AM - 9:40AM

My son will be on his way to work.....watch the big galah try look at it :/

[arista]

The 3 Breakfast shows
SkyNewsHD , GMBHD and BBC1HD breakfast
are all ready to try and catch the this.

More Cloud in some places , though

[Cherie]

so cloudy here won't notice it much I expect.

[arista]

so cloudy here won't notice it much I expect.


It can change in 30mins


SkyNewsHD has Madrid Live

[Ninastar]

I'm up early on my day off for this... it better be good!!! :fist:

[arista]

I'm up early on my day off for this... it better be good!!! :fist:


You Minx

[Crimson Dynamo]

bit sunnier here than expected

woop woop

I have made my pinhole box

[Crimson Dynamo]

the fact the suns warmth is blocked can clear the sky quickly so even if its cloudy now that can change quickly

[arista]

Shaun are you watching it
honey

[AnnieK]

I remember in 99 being ready for it, having the glasses and everything and it being a total let down....in work and cloudy here today so thinking that today will be another let down :(

[Crimson Dynamo]

my pinhole camera has confirmed that it has started!

[Crimson Dynamo]

http://andrewcarnegie2.tripod.com/SolarEclipseSafetyCanali.GIF

[Josy]

http://andrewcarnegie2.tripod.com/SolarEclipseSafetyCanali.GIF

:joker:

**** off, I'm not standing outside my work with a cardboard box over my head ffs

[Ninastar]

i dont have a box!!!

[Jay.]

I can't see a ****ing thing when does this start

if you think I'm waiting another decade bye

[arista]

I can't see a ****ing thing when does this start

if you think I'm waiting another decade bye


Now in Cornwall


Many places have clouds, though

[Crimson Dynamo]

just been out and a good bite sized chunk is out of the sun now

its exciting

[Josy]

just been out and a good bite sized chunk is out of the sun now

its exciting

Pics please

[Jay.]

These clouds look fantastic

[MTVN]

Too cloudy here, load of rubbish

[arista]

BBC1HD
has a special 60mins stargazing Live
on now

[Jack_]

lol I got up early for this and it's total cloud cover...just typical

[arista]

Too cloudy here, load of rubbish


But its not on you yet

[arista]

lol I got up early for this and it's total cloud cover...just typical


BBC1HD Live
for you

[Crimson Dynamo]

Pics please

i am trying but its hard to hold all three things at the same time and also catch a sunny bit as we have about 5 octas cloud cover

[Crimson Dynamo]

3056

this is my hastily made but effective view cam

:cheer2:

[Crimson Dynamo]

ooh its getting dim

[Kizzy]

My dog just went outside and looked at me really confused :laugh:

[Crimson Dynamo]

3057

latest pic from outside my hoose

[Kizzy]

That's a great pic LT, at about max coverage for Leeds I think

[andybigbro]

I can't see it's far too cloudy :(

[AnnieK]

We actually got quite a good view here - the cloud was covering it so was able to look more or less directly at it.

[AnnieK]

The temperature dropped too.

[Crimson Dynamo]

3058

[Samuel.]

Well this is underwhelming

Scary to think I'll probably be a dad by the time the next one comes around :worry:

[Ninastar]

when they said 'total darkness' i thought it would actually be dark :fist:

[Kizzy]

Those pics are pretty cool.

[AnnieK]

You have to look pretty closely

http://imgur.com/rIXE1yQ

[Crimson Dynamo]

You have to look pretty closely

http://imgur.com/rIXE1yQ

good shot:spin:

[Ninastar]

my pics are pretty much the same as all yours

[Kizzy]

As good as we got in Leeds https://scontent-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/v/t1.0-9/s720x720/11080928_10206114806446618_5157333459510942837_n.j pg?oh=abea7e6425399a2eb40b3c39bec3f5d3&oe=55AD3E53

[andybigbro]

Is that it done now? :umm2:

[Ninastar]

https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/11046901_10153252425932975_331375583_n.jpg?oh=fd3a 4727585d22b1dd9ec04fe9ff2e6d&oe=550E5A6E&__gda__=1426940442_3634446078507700646bab5f48e6843 0

https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/961679_10153252425842975_1605198740_n.jpg?oh=2dae8 3045243afe2e2cd6d70fb16b5a7&oe=550E7A40&__gda__=1427010128_c9a8a6ee65519fa21c3090720b2d28b d

[Crimson Dynamo]

3060

[Niamh.]

That was pretty cool, I looked at it without a filter, I hope I don't go blind

[Kizzy]

There's always one ..... :umm2:

[Crimson Dynamo]

That was pretty cool, I looked at it without a filter, I hope I don't go blind

:fist:

what kind of example is that for the younger forum members

[Crimson Dynamo]

I was on top of BBC TV centre for the last one

:hmph:

[Helen 28]

How underwhelming that was.

[Livia]

Couldn't see anything here because of cloud cover, it was a strange light though. All the birds all landed in trees and it was eerily silent outside for a while.

[Niamh.]

There's always one ..... :umm2:

http://i.imgur.com/7XrpeoQ.gif

[Niamh.]

:fist:

what kind of example is that for the younger forum members

I couldn't help it, I'd just arrived at work when it was going on, I had to have a quick look :hehe:

[James]

I saw it briefly.

[user104658]

Typical. Mostly cloudy for the main part of the eclipse (you could still see it through cloud - my wife is now convinced that I will go blind for looking at it?) and now that it's passed... clear blue skies :joker:.

[Niamh.]

Typical. Mostly cloudy for the main part of the eclipse (you could still see it through cloud - my wife is now convinced that I will go blind for looking at it?) and now that it's passed... clear blue skies :joker:.

I'm going blind too TS -sob-

[arista]

3058



spiffing

[Crimson Dynamo]

i was hoping it would get darker

I bet when i call my mum at 11.30 she will be "oh i forgot about it, has it happened?"

:fist:

[Shaun]

Overslept lul

[Crimson Dynamo]

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/observation/gfj27juds

most hourly recording stations in Scotland (and most likely elsewhere) reporting a drop in temp from 9 to 10 am when normally under these conditions they would be rising by a degree or so!

[AnnieK]

That was pretty cool, I looked at it without a filter, I hope I don't go blind

me too......I now have a headache too......:eek:

[Niamh.]

me too......I now have a headache too......:eek:

:bawling: Damn it

[Crimson Dynamo]

me too......I now have a headache too......:eek:

on his way

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5032/7167416842_27e1144d97.jpg

[Kizzy]

http://i.imgur.com/7XrpeoQ.gif

Another gif in serious debates Niamh?... say 5 hail josys :nono:

[Niamh.]

Another gif in serious debates Niamh?... say 5 hail josys :nono:

whoopsie :fan:

[Northern Monkey]

https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/11046901_10153252425932975_331375583_n.jpg?oh=fd3a 4727585d22b1dd9ec04fe9ff2e6d&oe=550E5A6E&__gda__=1426940442_3634446078507700646bab5f48e6843 0

https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/961679_10153252425842975_1605198740_n.jpg?oh=2dae8 3045243afe2e2cd6d70fb16b5a7&oe=550E7A40&__gda__=1427010128_c9a8a6ee65519fa21c3090720b2d28b d

Lol!That looks like exactly what i saw!Even that little hole in the clouds.How strange.Eclipse glasses were a waste of a fiver :fist:

[Livia]

I couldn't see it because it was so cloudy and now, the sun's out. Dammit all Trumpet, I thought I ordered clear weather for today.

[Josy]

It was crap

[Crimson Dynamo]

I couldn't see it because it was so cloudy and now, the sun's out. Dammit all Trumpet, I thought I ordered clear weather for today.

:fist: I told you that your payment did not go through as I dont accept shekels. Its sterling or paypal or nowt

and that goes for Neem and her euros too

[Crimson Dynamo]

THE brief period of darkness which has just passed across the UK counts as Friday night, meaning it is now Saturday and everyone can go home.

The shortest night ever, which immediately followed the shortest day ever, means that it is officially the weekend and your line manager is unable to do anything about it.

Astronomer Martin Bishop said: “Clock off. They can’t touch you.

“It’s a double-edged sword because obviously you’ve missed Friday night, but by rights you should actually be having a lie-in followed by a bacon sandwich and Football Focus right now – so get home.

“My boss was bleating something about a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to collect data when I hung up on her and shut off the big telescope.”

Anyone who is forced to remain in work for the remaining hours of daylight until Saturday evening can claim time-and-a-half and a day off in lieu.

Donna Sheridan, from Peterborough, said: “I thought it was just the sun going dim for a bit, like those energy-saving bulbs.”

http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/news/environment/its-saturday-now-2015032096509

[Niamh.]

Thought you might like this picture someone posted on FB LT, from the Shandon Tower in Cork City

http://i.imgur.com/wyIZXB9.jpg?1
http://www.soundofphotography.com/

[Crimson Dynamo]

Thought you might like this picture someone posted on FB LT, from the Shandon Tower in Cork City

http://i.imgur.com/wyIZXB9.jpg?1

:love:

that is a cracker

[Kizzy]

That's great! someone near me just put a good on on FB.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10314695_617440475053169_2072636857344209558_n.jpg ?oh=f82b1fefd0e4e9b0ae4e6df8412e0191&oe=55B98A16&__gda__=1438550446_526b6a030c16a2521c836cac887f7d8 5

[Niamh.]

Really nice :love:

[Crimson Dynamo]

Really nice :love:

and the weathervane spells NEWS

which it was

[Niamh.]

and the weathervane spells NEWS

which it was

ahh yes it does, something fishy about the picture though :think:

[Cherie]

Thought you might like this picture someone posted on FB LT, from the Shandon Tower in Cork City

http://i.imgur.com/wyIZXB9.jpg?1
http://www.soundofphotography.com/

:love:

[arista]

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/03/20/article-3003759-26D6866C00000578-233_964x521.jpg
Devon Eden

[Ninastar]

isn't it pretty cool how literally everyone had that tiny little hole in the cloud to see the eclipse during the peak?

[Crimson Dynamo]

isn't it pretty cool how literally everyone had that tiny little hole in the cloud to see the eclipse during the peak?

this can be caused by the blocking of the suns warmth, meteorologically speaking

[Cherie]

Blue sky and sunshine now, just gloomy this am :bawling:

[MB.]

-doesn't live in Ireland or London so saw it without any clouds-

[JoshBB]

Here in essex, it was too cloudy to see anything. Very disappointing :(

[Kizzy]

this can be caused by the blocking of the suns warmth, meteorologically speaking

Did you learn that in geography class? :hehe:

[Crimson Dynamo]

Did you learn that in geography class? :hehe:

:fist: I studied Climatology as well you know

[Vanessa]

I missed it because of work. :fist:

[Suze]

Here in essex, it was too cloudy to see anything. Very disappointing :(

Yeah, from Essex too. I didn't get to bed until 5am, so set alarm to get up in time, saw the clouds and thought sod it, going to have a bit of a lie in then. Later in the day it was quite sunny :mad:

[Suze]

Thought you might like this picture someone posted on FB LT, from the Shandon Tower in Cork City

http://i.imgur.com/wyIZXB9.jpg?1
http://www.soundofphotography.com/

TThat is a brilliant photo, Niamh.

[Nedusa]

Thought you might like this picture someone posted on FB LT, from the Shandon Tower in Cork City

http://i.imgur.com/wyIZXB9.jpg?1
http://www.soundofphotography.com/

Fabulous picture.....:amazed::amazed:

[GypsyGoth]

It was crap

:laugh2: :laugh2:

It really was. The eclipse should have increased it's special effects budget.

[Kizzy]

It was an odd day eclipse, supermoon and 20yrs since I lost my dad :(