Solar Eclipse 2015

This spectacle is rare; the last being in 1999 and the next will occur in 2026. 

There are various methods of viewing this unique wonder:

• Pinhole method - Simply make a small hole (1-3mm) in a piece of card, and allow the light to shine through and project onto another piece of white card at a distance, do not look directly at the sun through the pinhole.
• Eclipse spectacles – These consist of a special filter which have been correctly certified as safe for viewing the sun. If buying these to resell to pupils please read CLEAPPS guidance PS17A. Reselling eclipse viewers to students. You can buy eclipse glasses from Harrison Telescopes.
• Telescope projection - Using the lens from a refracting telescope to project an image of the sun onto a piece of paper card. Do not look directly at the sun through the telescope.
• Using a large solar projector - These may already be in departments from the 1999 solar eclipse. A solar projector will safely display a 12cm diameter image of the sun onto a screen to enable groups of people to safely observe the eclipse together. Do not look directly at the sun through the projector.

In the UK we will only see a partial eclipse about 90%. If you wanted to see the total eclipse then you would need to be travel to the Faroe Islands.

The eyes are very sensitive to solar radiation. During an eclipse it may be tempting to think it is safe to look at the sun with the naked eye because the overall light intensity is reduced; this is not the case. The fact that the damage done by solar radiation to the eye is painless means looking at a solar eclipse without any eye protection can still cause serious eye damage. Do not use improvised protection – sunglasses, floppy discs, CDs are not suitable. These products will not protect your eyes from the wavelengths outside the visible range (the infrared and ultraviolet). Even with a filter specifically designed for the purpose CLEAPPS recommend only observing for a few seconds at a time and people with diseased eyes or those who have had eye surgery are advised not to view the sun even with filters.

More information on the eclipse is available from the NASA eclipse website. You will be able to find out the times and dates that you can see the eclipse in your area. 

All KCC schools have access to CLEAPPS if you do not have the username and password, please contact the Health and Safety Unit on 03000 418456 (please note the old number is no longer in use).