Image Credit: Rick Fienberg, TravelQuest International and Wilderness Travel
In this series of stills from 2013, the eclipse sequence runs from right to left. The center image shows totality; on either side are the 2nd contact (right) and 3rd contact (left diamond rings that mark the beginning and end of totality respectively)
Total Eclipse of the Sun! In North America on Monday 21st of August a total solar eclipse will be seen. Unfortunately the path comes nowhere near us but we can watch it on NASA’s website, without the worry about clouds or traffic jams.
NASA will be streaming the event live from 9am Pacific Daylight Time which will be 4pm (7 hours difference) for us. The actual eclipse will last less than 2 minutes and starts in Oregon at 10.18 (5.18pm our time). But if you miss it at the beginning than you will have a number of chances to see it later. Here is a listing of the times of the moons transit across the U.S. and the times it will block the sun in different States:
In Ireland we will be able to see a 5% blockage of the sun by the moon at 20.04pm. The moon will start obscuring the sun at 19.33, reach its apex at 20.44 and leave totally by 20.29.
The NASA website shows many ways you can safely watch the event. The most important is NEVER LOOK DIRECTLY AT THE SUN. The damage to your eyes can be permanent!
The NASA website has a wealth of information and interactive experiences that are suitable for all ages and learning levels
