What Is the Significance of the Solar Eclipse on March 20, 2015?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the solar eclipse that occurred on March 20, 2015, with participants sharing their experiences, observations, and expectations regarding the event. The scope includes personal accounts of viewing conditions, photography attempts, and the significance of the eclipse coinciding with the Spring Equinox.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Personal accounts
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Participants noted varying levels of eclipse coverage across different regions, with 98% coverage in northern Scotland and 85% in southern England.
  • Some expressed excitement about the eclipse coinciding with the Spring Equinox, anticipating high tides as a result.
  • Several participants shared their weather conditions, with some experiencing cloud cover that hindered visibility.
  • There were discussions about the quality of photography attempts, with some participants managing to capture images despite poor conditions.
  • Participants referenced media coverage of the event, including a special program featuring notable figures in astronomy.
  • Some expressed disappointment over missed opportunities for viewing totality, particularly in locations like the Faroes Islands.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally shared their individual experiences and observations, but there was no consensus on the overall viewing conditions or the quality of the eclipse experience, as many faced challenges due to weather.

Contextual Notes

Limitations included varying weather conditions affecting visibility, differing levels of eclipse coverage, and the subjective nature of personal experiences shared by participants.

Garth
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Just to let everyone know here in the UK we are waiting expectantly for the Solar Eclipse tomorrow morning - max at around 9.30am.

98% coverage in the north of Scotland and the Orkneys, Hebrides and Shetland islands, 85% down here in the south.

The totality shadow crosses from the North Atlantic, to the Faroes Islands and over to Svalbard, north of Norway.

As the Moon is at or very near perigee this will a particularly long eclipse 2 mins 47 secs east of the Faroes.

It is also the Spring Equinox so we are expecting very high tides as well.

Garth
 
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Thanks - too late to book at trip to the Faroes now but that must be pretty nice (weather permitting*). UK and Scandinavia are more favored this time than us southerners :)

* Ah, 7°C, some showers according to one forecast for tomorrow morning. Hope it clears up for those who are there.
 
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Taking the day off work to view, weather forecast does look a bit dodgy, but hopefully will see more than we did back in 1999.
 
good luck guys :)
 
I think it's 95% coverage here in South Sweden, I will try to take some photos (but I've got crappy equipment, so it will be a challenge :biggrin:)...it's just three hours away now...:smile:
 
Eclipse just started down in Cornwall, 8/8ths cloud here in Kent - typical! :H

The good news has been great astronomy and eclipse interest on TV, three nights of 'Stargazing Live', Prof Brian Cox, Buzz Aldrin and many others!:smile:

Garth
 
Well, it has passed us... it was very cloudy over here...but...luckily...it was bright enough for me to manage to snap a bunch of photos through the clouds where the eclipse could be seen. The photos are probably far from spectacular, but I will look them through and probably share a couple of them in this thread.
 
Here it has almost come and gone!

A grey sky went even gloomier for a few minutes, thankfully we were able to watch great coverage on TV 'Stagazing Live' eclipse special including totality from the air over the Faroes.

Presenter Liz Bonnin had the best view above cloud level over the Faroes in a solar telescope equipped aircraft.

Bailey's Beads visible, corona and prominences, one particularly prominent and the diamond ring.

Down on the ground in the Faroes it was cloudy - so if you didn't book your flight you didn't miss much except a startling and sudden darkness.

Ah well - USA 21st Aug 2017 and Egypt in 2nd Aug 2027, almost 6 1/2 minutes.
 
Ok, here are two of the best ones I took, not exactly Hubble quality :biggrin:, but it was the best I could do...
(with a mere compact digital camera and darn cloudy skies)

16870358892_e9c79612ef_c.jpg


16685401159_35254c5077_o.jpg


Links to a couple of more of my photos:
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8701/16683904038_9f86382164_o.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7586/16251550763_ba6339cf99_o.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8611/16684124690_66b61b9281_o.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8611/16870521601_78c1a32c5a_o.jpg
 
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Well done Dennis! - my sky was cloudier than yours, I could post a picture of grey - but it would be , well just grey...

Garth
 
  • #11
Garth said:
Well done Dennis! - my sky was cloudier than yours
Thanks :smile:

Garth said:
I could post a picture of grey - but it would be , well just grey...
Too bad... :frown: I did not expect to get any shots of it, I was just out to try to capture light differences, but I noticed it started to shine through just when the eclipse was at maximum here (approximately).
 
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  • #13
Metallman where were you for the eclipse?

Here in the SE of England (85% max. coverage) the grey sky turned noticeably gloomier at 9.30 - 35 am, but only as if a particularly thick cloud had passed over.

Garth
 
  • #14
Managed to view through the clouds from North Yorkshire (90% max coverage), gloomy skies too, unfortunately my attempts at photography failed.
 

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