2015 March 20th Solar Eclipse

[Nick L]

The accuracy of Euro4 leaves a lot to be desired. Shows far more cloud now on its prediction than it current is.

 

I did mean to add that Euro4 often overdoes cloud.

[Daniel*]

2026 till the next one so I hope this one delivers.

[Weather-history]

2026 till the next one so I hope this one delivers.

That's the next very large partial eclipse.

There will be other partial eclipses before 2026.

Edited March 18, 2015 by Weather-history

[Crepuscular Ray]

More lazy journalism about the effects on power generation, this time from the BBC:

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-31951768

 

The proportion of UK electricity generated from solar power is absolutely minimal and it's not as if it doesn't get a lot darker every night for a rather longer period.

[cheese]

ECM has clearances across the central swathe of England and Wales, Euro4 has a blanket of cloud across the entire country. It's not looking great to be honest.

The one in 1999 wasn't great either - it was far from clear. We only saw the eclipse during the brief periods that it poked from behind the clouds. We still managed to see it though - and I'm expecting something similar this time. BBC and Met are going for sunny intervals on  Friday so we'll see.

Edited March 18, 2015 by cheese

[Nick L]

The one in 1999 wasn't great either - it was far from clear. We only saw the eclipse during the brief periods that it poked from behind the clouds. We still managed to see it though - and I'm expecting something similar this time. BBC and Met are going for sunny intervals on  Friday so we'll see.

 

Yeah I was down in Cornwall for that one.

 

Having said that, the ECM is looking considerably clearer on this morning's run for south of Manchester. Going to be on a knife-edge I think!

[Mountain Snow]

I'm up on the west coast of Scotland from tonight, thought I'd tie my Scotland trip in with the eclipse but not expecting to see anything. Will the skies go noticeably darker under thick cloud? I'm sure I read somewhere that the cloud scatters light from elsewhere so diminishing the darkening effect.

 

If only it was today, perfect clear sky here, if a little hazy. Sod's law.

[Weather-history]

I'm up on the west coast of Scotland from tonight, thought I'd tie my Scotland trip in with the eclipse but not expecting to see anything. Will the skies go noticeably darker under thick cloud? I'm sure I read somewhere that the cloud scatters light from elsewhere so diminishing the darkening effect.

 

If only it was today, perfect clear sky here, if a little hazy. Sod's law.

It will get darker under clouds, that happens anyway. A sunny day is brighter than a cloudy day. That's obvious.

With restricted sunlight, it will be darker than under a normal cloudy day with a 100% sun especially when the sun is going to be over 90% eclipse.

What I think you will notice is the lopsideness of the dullness. I am sure the SE sky will be lighter than the NW Sky at mid-eclipse.

[Jo Farrow]

I'm up on the west coast of Scotland from tonight, thought I'd tie my Scotland trip in with the eclipse but not expecting to see anything. Will the skies go noticeably darker under thick cloud? I'm sure I read somewhere that the cloud scatters light from elsewhere so diminishing the darkening effect.

 

If only it was today, perfect clear sky here, if a little hazy. Sod's law.

Same here, clear as a bell today

That's the next very large partial eclipse.

There will be other partial eclipses before 2026.

when is the next total one visible in the UK, please?

[Weather-history]

Same here, clear as a bell today

when is the next total one visible in the UK, please?

23rd September 2090, there will be a total eclipse visible from the Channel Islands on 3rd September 2081

[Nick L]

23rd September 2090, there will be a total eclipse visible from the Channel Islands on 3rd September 2081

 

I don't intend on living that long

 

2017 in the US seems the best bet for an eclipse trip in the coming years, plenty of places there where you have a good chance of clear skies too.

[Jo Farrow]

Charts from Danish met service for Faeroes show something ( PPN) in yellow on the weatehr maps tab

rain clearing kl. is abbrieviation of O'clock. Denmark being 1 hour ahead of GMT, but not sure if that is local time

anyway rain and so cloud about, causing stress for those already there

 

http://www.dmi.dk/en/faeroeerne/vejret/vejrkort/

[Weather-history]

Thanks to Ade Ashford from Astronomy Now for this.

[Hellboy]

Interestingly GFS 06z has me for clear skies tomorrow whereas the local TV forecast has me for overcast with any breaks only possible the further NW in the region.

I don't have any of the special glasses are there any recommendations for tricks to see it? Not necessarily to stare directly at the sun, but if I was to reflect the suns light with a mirror onto a flat surface will I be able to see the 'chunk' taken out of the sun?

[Nick L]

Interestingly GFS 06z has me for clear skies tomorrow whereas the local TV forecast has me for overcast with any breaks only possible the further NW in the region.

I don't have any of the special glasses are there any recommendations for tricks to see it? Not necessarily to stare directly at the sun, but if I was to reflect the suns light with a mirror onto a flat surface will I be able to see the 'chunk' taken out of the sun?

 

Your best bet is to make a pinhole camera...

 

http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/education/index.cfm?page=341

 

Simple, cheap and you won't get blinded

[Hellboy]

Your best bet is to make a pinhole camera...

 

http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/education/index.cfm?page=341

 

Simple, cheap and you won't get blinded

Was just googling that. Thanks for the link.

[Daniel*]

Yeah I was down in Cornwall for that one.

 

Having said that, the ECM is looking considerably clearer on this morning's run for south of Manchester.

Going to be on a knife-edge I think!

Hope so if it was today there would be many sad faces - Scotland is looking plagued by cloud? shame.

[Daniel*]

It seems Farore Islands are the place to be, a red swathe depicting a total solar eclipse stretching from Faroe Islands to Svalbard and all the water in between, nice for the fishes.

http://www.theverge.com/2015/3/19/8256271/solar-eclipse-time-how-to-watch-2015

[toggerob]

Forecast looks good for my area into tomorrow morning, slightly doubtful of the GFS showing 100% cloud at 6am and then 4% cloud for 9am however I certainly won't complain if it goes that way. Considering 4 days ago the cold-front was situated slap-bang across central areas with 8/8 cloud going off the models it looks like the central/northern areas of England have the best chance of seeing the sun.

[Paul]

Latest Eclipse forecast and info from Jo.

 

https://vimeo.com/122652126

[Allseasons-Si]

Thanks for the latest info paul and all,i booked tomorrow off and looks like i will be in the sweet spot

 

just been to the newsagents and they said that there will be free solar glasses in the papaers in the morning,i don,t know which paper though as i didn't ask ,but i will be heading there early doors.

 

just a quick question though,i have night mode on my camera,is it possible to take pics/video with it.

[sundog]

Bloody typical that it will more then likely be cloudy for my location.

 

The moons shadow will race across the Atlantic at something like 1,700mph.

[knocker]

Thanks for the latest info paul and all,i booked tomorrow off and looks like i will be in the sweet spot

 

just been to the newsagents and they said that there will be free solar glasses in the papaers in the morning,i don,t know which paper though as i didn't ask ,but i will be heading there early doors.

 

just a quick question though,i have night mode on my camera,is it possible to take pics/video with it.

 

Not without a special solar filter. You will fry the sensor. Definitely a no, no.

[Allseasons-Si]

Not without a special solar filter. You will fry the sensor. Definitely a no, no.

Ah!!,ok,thanks knocker

 

a trip to the newsagents in the morning then.

[Nick L]

Anyone know which papers will have free glasses?