Thanks to our Science Champion, Mr Tyler, for organising events.

On Friday 20 March 2015, the whole of the UK will be treated to an almost total eclipse of the Sun. These are quite rare, and this one will be a major event. In the morning, the Moon will pass right in front of the Sun, blotting out up to 95% of its disc and making the Sun look like a crescent instead of a disc.

First contact is at about 8:30 and ‘totality’ (this will be about 95% in Glasgow) is at around 9:34, with the eclipse lasting till about 10:30.

We are intending to go outside as a class and watch the eclipse on Friday morning (weather permitting) however, it is extremely dangerous to just go out and look up. The Sun is so bright that just looking at it can cause permanent blindness, so we’ll be preparing properly beforehand.

We are going to make pin-hole viewers to allow us to view the eclipse safely and if any pupils have certified solar viewing glasses (not sunglasses) they are welcome to bring them in as well.

A leaflet “How to observe an eclipse safely” is available from the Royal Astronomical Society using the link below:-

https://www.ras.org.uk/images/solar_eclipse_leaflet.pdf.

Further information can also be found at:-

http://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/solar/2015-march-20.

If you do not wish your child to take part in this activity please notify your child’s class teacher in writing.