A partial eclipse of the Sun is due to take place this Saturday, and the lovely people at the Croydon Astronomical Society are planning to stage a free event where families can attend and view this solar phenomenon safely.
Solar event: Croydon Astronomical Society is providing a safe way to view the partial eclipse on Saturday
The partial eclipse, as the Moon passes across the Sun, should be visible from most of the country, and is set to occur just after 10am – “making it a great event for kids and families”, according to the BBC’s Sky At Night.
“The event begins with first contact at 10:07 UT (time for the centre of the UK; timings vary by location), when the Moon’s leading edge first makes contact with the edge of the Sun,” the Sky At Night says.
“After this, an ever-increasing bite appears to be taken out of the Sun’s disc until the point of greatest eclipse at 11:05 UT…
“A partial solar eclipse means that only a portion of the Sun is covered by the Moon. It looks as tough the Moon’s silhouette is taking a bite out of the solar disk.”
Graham Cluer, from the Croydon Astonomical Society, told Inside Croydon, “The Moon won’t block the sun completely, but it is still worth looking at.”
It is dangerous to look at the sun without the correct safety filters but, if the weather is clear, the CAS “will provide an opportunity for you to look at this event without danger”, Cluer said.
“We will be in Bingham Recreation Ground from 10.15 until 11.30 on Saturday morning. We will be at the northwest corner, near the children’s play area and just downhill from the tennis courts.” The recreation ground is between Bingham Road and Northampton Road (CR0 7EB).
“Come along, borrow one of our safety glasses, look through a filtered telescope. It’s totally free and no need to book.
“But please check the weather first. We won’t be there if it is cloudy.”
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