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The Solar Eclipse on 20th March 2015

Information about the eclipse and tools for

safe observation


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The European Solar Eclipse on 20th March 2015

This year the greatest natural show on Earth comes to Europe! Anyone who has seen a total solar eclipse will agree that it is one of the most spectacular sights nature has to offer. On the 20th of March thousands of observers will flock to the Faroe Islands and Svalbard, the only dry land in the path of totality. Unfortunately it just misses Scotland and Iceland by a few hundred miles (see charts). But even if you are not one of the lucky few who can travel to see the total eclipse, the view from the UK and even Europe will be fantastic (weather permitting, of course). In the UK the degree of occultation ranges from 85% in Kent to 97% in the north of Scotland. In the Midlands it will be around 89%. This means that we in the UK won’t be able to see the corona, but we can nevertheless observe the moon moving across most of the sun, and the darkening of the landscape, although not complete, will be quite impressive.


ATTENTION: When observing the sun it is of utmost importance that you use safe viewing equipment, to make sure you don’t damage your eyes! In former times people used  all kinds of contraptions to dim the sunlight, for example glass plates that were darkened with soot, or over-exposed strips of photographic film. The problem with these makeshift solutions is that they don’t block the infrared radiation of the sun. The radiation in the visible spectrum is reduced, so that you are not dazzled. But at the same time your pupils are wide open, which lets the infrared radiation reach your retina without restraint, leading to permanent eye damage.

We therefore recommend using our original BAADER Solar Filter Film, which has a filter factor of 100,000 over the whole spectrum of the sun. You can buy this film separately in two different sizes, in a set with one of our telescopes, or of course ready-mounted in one of our practical and popular Solar Observations Specs. Please see below for our range of solar observation instruments. Of course we offer our usual discounts for bulk orders. Either contact us beforehand or just order, pay, and we will refund the correct amount of discount straight away. Don’t forget to also order worldwide shipping if you are outside the European Union!


With over 17,000,000 sold Solar Specs, Solar Projectors, Solar Telescopes, and Filter Films, AstroMedia is the market leader for solar observation instruments in Europe.


Get ready for the greatest natural show on Earth!

The Solar Projector


This practical instrument projects the sun onto a view screen. The diameter of the projection is adjustable to 55 or 75 mm. Easy and safe to use and therefore ideal to introduce children to the sun! The optical system consists of an achromatic glass lens, one plane and two convex mirrors. The projector can be adjusted from 0 to 90 degrees, two quadrants measure the sun’s declination. It is ideal if you want to observe the eclipse with several people or children. When the eclipse is over, you can use it to observe planetary transits or sunspots, and track their movement across the surface of the sun.


Size: 20 x 20 x 25 cm

Download Instructions

 

The AstroMedia Solar Observation Specs


If you want to look straight into the sun, you should only do so with the proper eye protection. The original BAADER solar filters of these spectacles with a filter factor of 100,000 are CE certified and offer perfect protection when observing the sun. They are absolutely essential for safe viewing of the eclipse!

 

£18.60


No 227.SPR

£1.98


No 260.ASB

The Solar Telescope


With this kit you can build a small telescope with 6x magnification. It comes with an original BAADER solar filter film that allows for direct observation of the sun and the eclipse. Without the filter you can project a 2” picture of the sun onto a white piece of paper, or just use it to observe nature.

 

£3.48


No 234.STL

BAADER AstroSolar Solar Filter Film (small)


With the help of this special CE certified film with a filter factor of 100,000 you can observe the sun directly with your binoculars or telescope. Just fit the foil over the aperture / objective lens (NOT over the eyepiece!).


Size: 10 x 10 cm

 

£3.66


No 257.ASK

BAADER AstroSolar Solar Filter Film (large)


With the help of this special CE certified film with a filter factor of 100,000 you can observe the sun directly with your binoculars or telescope. Just fit the foil over the aperture / objective lens (NOT over the eyepiece!).


Size: 20 x 29 cm

 

£19.50


No 233.ASF

Newton Telescope AND Solar Filter


This is a kit for a fully functional Newton reflecting telescope with Dobsonian mounting. The main BAADER glass mirror with SiO2 coating has a diameter of 70 mm and a focus length of 450 mm. Two eyepieces provide magnification factors of 16 and 30, enough for observation of moon craters and even the moons of Jupiter. With the additional BAADER Solar Filter cap you can view the eclipse and sunspots safely with high magnification.


Size: 45 x 16 x 28 cm

Download Instructions

Special set price, only

£20.94


No 245.NSS

 

The Plumber’s Telescope AND Solar Filter


An astronomical refracting telescope with a magnification of 30 plus solar filter for under £20!

With a piece of waste pipe and fittings (not included) you can build yourself a sturdy astronomical telescope with a sharp colour corrected image and 30x magnification that can be mounted on an ordinary photographic tripod. It shows an upside down picture like most astronomical telescopes. The optical quality is excellent due to the achromatic objective lens and the Plössl eyepiece. With the additional BAADER Solar Filter you can view the eclipse and sunspots safely with high magnification.

The kit contains a set of high quality achromatic glass lenses, a tripod adapter, cardboard fittings, BAADER Solar Filter Film, instructions, and a shopping list for your local DIY store.


Objective lens: Achromat, 40 mm, f=450 mm

Eyepiece: Plössl, 15 mm, f=15 mm

Length of the telescope: 53 cm

Download Instructions

 

Special set price, only

£16.50


No 241.BLS

Worldwide shipping


Please order worldwide shipping if you order from outside the European Union! Due to shipping costs we have to charge an extra £5 for worldwide delivery.

£5.00