Solar eclipse Friday, March 20, 2015
| When: | Fr 20-03-2015 09:00 - 12:00 |
| Where: | Infoversum, Vrydemalaan 2, Groningen |
| REPORT SOLAR ECLIPSE: No less than 900 spectators came to the Infoversum in the hope to observe the eclipse. Enthusiastic cheers went up when the sun appeared unexpectedly behind the clouds and the crescent was visible for about 10 seconds. A few minutes later the clouds offered the visitors a 2nd look at the spectacle. Foto's: http://goo.gl/Qm5lno. Video OOG TV: http://goo.gl/nHGoKI. Video RTV Noord: http://goo.gl/RL81el. Video Dagblad van het Noorden: http://youtu.be/5JVdUoG-CnU. |
The Blaauw Observatory will organize a special event for the solar eclipse on March 20 in cooperation with the Infoversum in Groningen. The solar eclipse is total in northern Europe, notably on the Faroe Islands and Svalbard. Seen from the Netherlands the solar surface will be partially covered by the Moon for more than 80%. The entire duration of the eclipse will be visible from The Netherlands if the sky is clear. First contact will be at 09:33 in Groningen. The Sun and Moon will detach again at 11:51, with the maximum of the eclipse at 10:40.
Program
We will set up several solar telescopes in front of the Infoversum, also provided by the Groninger Vereniging voor Weer- en Sterrenkunde. These will also allow a unique view on sunspots and solar flares. Astronomers from the Kapteyn Institute, the astronomy department of the University of Groningen, will give additional explanations at the telescopes and in the Your Energy of Tomorrow truck of the university.
SRON Netherlands Institute for Space Research will perform several experiments with sunlight. In the 20 meter dome of the Infoversum special full dome shows will also be given at 9:30 and 11:30 to simulate the eclipse from Earth and from space (in Dutch).
IMPORTANT: It is absolutely necessary to use eclipse glasses to safely look at the Sun directly! Eclipse glasses will be sold at the location.
Sign up
This event will take place on Friday, March 20 from 9:00 to 12:00 at the Infoversum, Vrydemalaan 2 in Groningen. Admission for the observing activities is free for all visitors. The eclipse glasses cost €2,- each. The entrance fee for the additional full dome show in Infoversum is also €2,- per person.
- You can reserve tickets for the full dome show here.
- Join the Facebook event here.
- The flyer with the program is here (in Dutch).
- Eclipse glasses will be sold on Friday, March 20 from 9:00 to 12:00 in the Your Energy of Tomorrow truck in front of the Infoversum. There will also be 7 solar telescopes, everyone may take a look through these at the Sun.
The eclipse glasses cannot be reserved beforehand. But if you would like to order some yourself, go here.
For more information about events organized by the Blaauw Observatory, see www.rug.nl/sterrenwacht.