Cheering for solar eclipse at Infoversum

The Blaauw Observatory of the University of Groningen organized a major event on Friday, March 20, at the Infoversum for the solar eclipse. No less than 900 spectators came 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. Eclipse glasses were not needed, the clouds served as a natural solar filter.

Seven solar telescopes were set up in front of the Infoversum, also made available by the Groningen Association for Meteorology and Astronomy. In the Your Energy of Tomorrow truck a live stream from the Faroer Islands was shown, a clock counted down to the maximum of the eclipse, and the phenomenon was explained in more detail. SRON Netherlands Institute for Space Research performed on the spot measurements of the temperature, sunlight intensity and atmospheric pressure. A clear decrease in sunlight intensity and temperature was measured during the eclipse, in spite of the clouds. In the dome of the Infoversum a full dome simulation of the eclipse was shown as seen from Earth and from space.

More information about events of the Blaauw Observatory: www.rug.nl/sterrenwacht.

Photos: http://goo.gl/7Rt2A1

Short clips:
RTV Noord: http://goo.gl/RL81el (local Dutch television)

OOG TV: http://goo.gl/nHGoKI (local Dutch television)