Annular Solar Eclipse [Partial from the UK]

October 3rd 2005

Observers in parts of Spain, Portugal and North and East Africa will have the opportunity to witness an annular solar eclipse on Monday 3rd October, as the Moon passes over the face of the Sun. For Europe, Western Asia, the Middle East, India and most of Africa, a partial eclipse will occur.

Peter Grego's Live Webcast

If you are unable to see the eclipse from where you are, we have some links to some live broadcasts on the web from Spain and the UK, including by the SPA's own Peter Grego. Live images (or a real-time computer simulation if it's cloudy) will be available from Peter's site in Rednal between 08:30BST and 11:30BST.

View From Hyde Park

In addition, the SPA will run a public observation session near Speakers' Corner in Hyde Park, London, on the day of the eclipse from 08:45BST to 11:15BST, weather permitting. Members and friends are all welcome to come along and observe or help members of the public. Telescopes will be provided by courtesy of the Widescreen Centre, but anyone who can bring their own portable instrument is welcome to do so, as long as they are confident that they can allow members of the public to observe the Sun without danger to their eyesight.

What is an Annular Solar Eclipse?

Since the Moon is 400 times smaller than the Sun, but almost 400 times nearer to Earth, both the Moon and the Sun have almost exactly the same angular size in the sky (approximately 0.5°). The Moon completely obscures the Sun for an observer standing within the shadow path of a total solar eclipse. However, at certain eclipse times the Earth-Moon distance is such that the Moon is far enough away to appear slightly smaller than the Sun. In this instance, as the Moon passes completely over the face of the Sun, a rim (annulus) of light will be seen around the Sun, and an annular solar eclipse is observed.

The Eclipse From the UK

Unfortunately, on this occasion, an annular eclipse will not be visible from the UK. However, a partial solar eclipse will be seen; with between 44% (Aberdeen) and 64% (Plymouth) of the Sun being covered, depending on where in the UK you are observing from. Click here to see a brief (122Kb) animated Quicktime movie simulation of the partial eclipse as seen from London. The movie shows 10 minute intervals between 08:50BST and 11:20BST. If your computer does not currently have the facility to play Quicktime movies, you can download it, free of charge, from the Quicktime website.

Reports from observers are welcomed, including any sketches or images that you may have been able to draw or capture. Observations will be published here, and can be submitted by e-mailing them to gallery@popastro.com.

Additional Live Webcasts

Eclipse Links

The following links provide further information on eclipses:

Timings

The following timings have been reproduced courtesy of Fred Espenak (NASA/GSFC), and a more detailed list of locations can be found here. Please be aware that the times shown are British Summer Time.

LocationStartMaximumEnd
Aberdeen08:55:1710:02:0311:12:37
Belfast08:49:1309:58:1511:11:56
Birmingham08:48:5510:00:0811:16:17
Bournemouth08:46:5309:59:3411:17:39
Bristol08:47:1509:59:1511:16:31
Brighton08:48:1010:00:5911:19:02
Cardiff08:46:5409:58:4811:15:58
Coventry08:49:0210:00:2211:16:37
Ipswich08:50:2810:02:1911:18:59
London08:48:5210:01:0711:18:26
Manchester08:49:5410:00:1211:15:13
Norwich08:51:1510:02:3411:18:34
Portsmouth08:47:3010:00:1411:18:16
Torquay08:45:4009:58:1811:16:28

Projection Tips

You must take great care when observing the eclipse. Use either a filter approved for solar observing, or project the image onto a screen using binoculars, a telescope or even a pinhole. Follow the steps outlined below to project an image of the Sun using an optical instrument:

  • Point your binocular or telescope at the Sun, using the shadow to judge when you are exactly in line. Remember, if using a binocular, cover one of the lenses with a lens cap.
  • Hold a white screen a few inches behind the eyepiece and you should see a disc of light. Focus until a sharp disc appears on the white screen.
  • For a larger (but dimmer) image, move the screen further away.
  • Don't leave the instrument pointing at the Sun for a long time; the heat could damage it, or someone may inadvertently look through.

PLEASE REMEMBER TO OBSERVE SAFELY

  • DO NOT LOOK AT THE SUN THROUGH ANY OPTICAL DEVICE WITHOUT THE USE OF SPECIAL FILTERS OVER THE FRONT (OBJECTIVE) END OF THE INSTRUMENT.
  • DO NOT USE A TELESCOPE FOR SOLAR PROJECTION THAT MAY HAVE PLASTIC PARTS AS PART OF THE OPTICAL MAKE UP, AS DAMAGE MAY OCCUR.
  • NEVER LOOK OR STARE AT THE SUN WITH THE NAKED EYE.
  • READ THE RELEVANT CHAPTER BEFORE BUYING ANY SOLAR FILTERING SYSTEM.
  • DO NOT USE, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, ANY EYEPIECE MOUNTED SOLAR FILTER GIVEN IN SOME IMPORTED TELESCOPES.