Partial solar eclipse over Ireland this weekend
The New Moon of March will create a partial solar eclipse over Ireland this Saturday at 11.00am.
Approximately 40% of the sun will be covered by the Moon as it passes between Earth and the Sun.
Unlike a total solar eclipse, there will be no darkening of the sky or visible solar corona over Ireland.
First contact in the partial eclipse, when the edge of the Moon touches the edge of the Sun, begins at 10:01 am.
Maximum eclipse occurs 59 minutes later at 11.00am.
Astronomy Ireland says it is holding a Solar Eclipse Watch event for the public at its Dublin headquarters facility from 9.30am to midday on Saturday.
According to Astronomy Ireland, “Of course it can be highly dangerous to view the sun and a partially eclipsed Sun is just as dangerous – perhaps more so as people will be drawn to looking at it.”
“NEVER look at the Sun with ANY optical aid (binoculars or telescopes) as permanent eye damage can happen instantly. It is not even safe to look at the Sun with just the naked eye and even several pairs of sunglasses should not be used,” it added.
This weekend’s Partial Solar Eclipse comes just two weeks after a total lunar eclipse took place in Ireland.
A total lunar eclipse occurs when the entire moon falls within the darkest part of Earth’s shadow. The moon appeared red/orange when it is was the Earth’s shadow.
