Where to watch this today's solar eclipse in Crawley - and expert safety tips and photography advice
A partial solar eclipse will be visible across Sussex today (Wednesday, August 12).
The event will be the biggest of its kind since 1999 and won’t occur on a similar scale until 2081.
The Home Office have warned onlookers to wear specialist eclipse eyewear – not just sunglasses.
There will be around 93% eclipse in Crawley lasting from 6:18pm to 8:06pm, with the maximum eclipse taking place at 7:13pm.
Crawley Astronomical Society and Crawley Down Photographic Club are holding a joint Community Outreach Evening at the Western end of the Haven Centre Skate Park in Crawley Down (RH10 4LJ), between 6pm and 8pm.
The Society’s website says: “Everyone Welcome! Bring your family, friends and neighbours for a relaxed evening observing one of nature’s most beautiful spectacles. Club members will provide safe solar telescopes, advice on observing, and tips for photographing the eclipse.”
The society also offers the following advice:
Important eye and equipment safety:
- NEVER look directly at the Sun without certified solar eclipse glasses.
- • Telescopes, binoculars and camera lenses must ONLY be fitted with approved full-aperture solar filters made from specialist solar safety film (e.g. Baader AstroSolar Safety Film or equivalent).
- • Ordinary sunglasses provide NO protection.
- • Never use smoked glass, CDs, exposed film or improvised filters.
Photography Advice
Only dedicated solar filters designed for direct solar photography are safe. Do NOT use 10-stop neutral density filters, variable ND filters, polarising filters or stacking photographic filters. These do not make viewing or photographing the Sun safe and can permanently damage eyesight and camera equipment.
What to Bring
- Eclipse glasses (if you own them)
- • Camera and tripod (with approved solar filter)
- • Hat, sunscreen and refreshments
- • Your enthusiasm and curiosity!
Weather permitting. If conditions are cloudy, members will still be available to discuss the eclipse, safe observing techniques and solar photography.
You can contact them on Facebook or on Instagram and visit the Crawley Astronomical Society at www.crawleyas.co.uk and Crawley Down Camera Club at www.cdcamclub.org/.