Planned Events/Challenges

1st August - Partial Solar Eclipse

The Sun will be partially eclipsed on the morning of Friday, 1st August, when there is a small partial eclipse of the Sun.. We must stress that on no account should anyone try to look directly at the Sun, because of the danger of damage to their eyesight. We shall have equipment on the Western Lawns from 09.30 to 11.00 on that morning so that the public can view the event safely. One of the telescopes has the ability to cut out all the light from the Sun, except from what is called by astronomers the “H-alpha line” in the spectrum. This view is quite spectacular, and should not be missed!

All are welcome to view the Sun through our special telescopes which are safe to use for this event.  Come and join us on Eastbourne sea front on the Western Lawns.

16th August - Partial Lunar Eclipse

The moon will be partially eclipsed on the evening of Saturday, 16th August.  The Full Moon rises at 20.07 and if  the sky is very clear and there is no cloud, mist or fog, then we may expect to see the Moon rising in the direction of the Sovereign lighthouse. The actual eclipse starts at 20.35 and ends at 23.44.  Sunset is at 20.17, so some viewers on Beachy Head have a chance of seeing the Full Moon rising in the ESE while the Sun is setting in the opposite direction.  Again we shall be using telescopes and these will be on Helen Gardens. At maximum eclipse 81 percent of the Moon will be in the Earth’s shadow.

All are welcome to view the Lunar Eclipse through our telescopes for this event.  We will be setting up at Helen Gardens on Eastbourne sea front.