Top tips for seeing the eclipse
A near total eclipse is happening at 08.25 on Friday 20 March. Astronomers Dr Mark Gallaway and David Campbell of the University of Hertfordshire’s Bayfordbury Observatory talk us through this rare astronomical event.
1. The 20 March eclipse will cover 80% of the Sun and there will not be another near total eclipse in the UK until 2026.
2. It will be 2090 until the next total solar eclipse is seen in the UK.
3. When viewing the eclipse never look directly at the sun without specialist solar glasses as even with sunglasses it can cause permanent eye damage. Make sure you purchase from a reliable source.
4. Never use a damaged pair of lenses, or look at the sun with a telescope or binoculars.
Mark and David will be monitoring the passing of the Moon in front of the Sun using the Observatory’s specialist Solar Telescopes. They will be taking ultra-high resolution images of the sun and features - challenging to see without the help of the Moon’s shadow.
Joining them will be the University’s astrophysics students along with a class from Creswick Primary School who will be guided through the event by professional astronomers.
To find out more about Bayfordbury Observatory and their public open evenings, visit - http://www.herts.ac.uk/bayfordbury
ENDS
For more information, please contact Kelsey Arif, University of Hertfordshire Press Office on 01707 285163, Email: k.arif3@herts.ac.uk
Notes to Editor
Photograph caption:
Bayfordbury Observatory
About the University of Hertfordshire
The University is the UK’s leading business-facing university and an exemplar in the sector. It is innovative and enterprising and challenges individuals and organisations to excel.
The University of Hertfordshire is one of the region’s largest employers with 2,700 staff and a turnover of over £238 million.
With a student community of 25,300 including 2,800 overseas students from 100 different countries, the University has a global network of over 195,000 alumni. It is also one of the top 100 universities in the world under 50 years old, according to the new Times Higher Education 100 under 50 rankings 2014.
For more information, please visit www.herts.ac.uk
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