A&S Magazine

Astronomy & Space Magazine

Partial Solar Eclipse - October 3rd 2005 Adapted from Astronomy & Space Sky Diary - October 2005 Click here for details of how to order this issue and how to subscribe Once again we must caution readers in the strongest terms. Looking at the Sun without PROPER protection WILL result in SEVERE and IRREVERSABLE eye damage. DO not look at the Sun with the naked eye or any optical equipment whatsoever, unless correct solar filters are used. A&S recommends 'AstroSolar'. This special filter material blocks all of the Sun's harmful rays allowing you to enjoy solar events in safety. Contact our shop for more information and to order. Call 01-847 0777 six days a week up to 5:30pm.	The Map above shows the magnitude (percent of Sun's diameter covered by the Moon) of this eclipse will be throughout Ireland and the UK.
On October 3rd, european observers will be treated to a stunning 'Annular Solar Eclipse'. The path of annularity begins in northern Portugal just before 10am and continues on through Central Spain (Madrid is perfectly placed). The path then crosses the Meditteranean Sea, on into the African continent and then finishes up in the Indian Ocean. Those of us not lucky enough to be in the direct path of the annular phase need not despair. The eclipse will be visible (although with a smaller portion of the Sun being covered by our Moon) throughout Europe. Our map shows just how much of the Sun is eclipsed for any location in the UK or Ireland. Our second diagram shows how the eclipse will appear for most of us in these Islands. The map is drawn for our standard A&S location of 53.5 degrees North Latitude and 3 degrees West Longitude. Times given will vary for other locations. However these times will be pretty close to the observed times for any location within Ireland or the UK.

Details of the Eclipse

The eclipse begins just before 9am (8:47am in Dublin). Our diagram below illustrates how the Moon encroaches on the north eastern limb of the Sun. The eclipse then proceeds to increase in magnitude until around 10am. At that time the eclipse will have reached its maximum for us. At Falmouth Bay in the UK the eclipse magnitude will be 74.4%, Dublin will see a magnitude of 67%, whereas Kirkwall in the	This diagram shows the circumstances of the eclipse and the times of the important events surrounding it. Also shown is the total obscuration (amount of Sun's area covered by the Moon) of the Sun at mid eclipse Details are shown for the center of the UK and Ireland.
Orkney Islands will see just 51% of the Sun eclipsed. Of course those within the path of annularity will see the entire Moon surrounded by a beautiful ring of fire as the annular phase of the eclipse occurs. We continue to watch as the Moon then departs the Sun's disk. At around 11:15am the eclipse ends with 'last contact'. It is important to note that we will not see an eclipse this deep until January 2011 so it is especially important to make the most of this eclipse. Why not try to photograph this unique and special event. Most point and shoot modern cameras will be more than capable of taking an image of the Sun. Do please re-read our warning at the top of this page taking note that even cameras can be damaged by direct exposure to the unfiltered Sun. Do send any photos you take to observe@astronomy.ie for publication in Ireland's only astronomy magazine.

Astronomy & Space Magazine Team

Editor: Kevin Sheahan
Managing Editor: David Moore BSc FRAS
Assistant Editors: Tony Ryan BSc
Book Review Editor: Ben Emmett MSc
Contributors: David Grennan, Colm J. Cannon, Emlyn Jones, Sir Patrick Moore, Gordon Nason, Denton P. Walter.
Design & Production: Brady Graphic Design.
Advertising: David Moore