Eclipse

[MikeDunn]

Was lucky to get this - the battery ran out on me, and of course the other two were flat !!!   :'(

Got a bunch before, and a few after ... had to hoard the remaining strength before final zip ...

But, on the other hand ... I was asked by SWMBO "why don't you get a new camera ?  What's out there ?" ... 

Now she's telling me I have to have a new one, I can start looking properly !!!   

[MalcolmInN]

I suppose, in the best tradition of bleedin obvious elfin, :-
dont use your dad's best bino for this and get an adult to supervise 
use your old spare bino.

(if the bino has a cemented lens component in the eyepiece it could come to grief,
and if you mount it fixed on a tripod and you wander off for a coffee, the image will drift off to the side and may cause mischief to any plastic bits in the eyepiece )
(/end of elfin)

[woodbury22uk]

Enjoyed viewing it over a late breakfast in our local Lloyds Bar. One kind fella had brought along a piece of glass from a welder's mask which provided an ideal way to view it, although I am sure somebody with professional knowledge will tell me that it was very dangerous. The edges of the glass were well-polished.

On another positive note, a friend who was with us and who has been on a bad luck streak since the last total-ish eclipse, seemed to have noticeably brightened up.

[MJKERR]

Just back from Kinlochleven
Booked the hotel in November 2014
Started looking at the cloud cast weather forecast earlier this week and it wasn't looking good
Made the trip anyway (5 and a half hours each way)

Woke up to find broken cloud, which then thinned
Got slightly dark for about 20 minutes and very dark for about 4 minutes

[MikeDunn]

although I am sure somebody with professional knowledge will tell me that it was very dangerous.

Consider yourself appropriately advised ...

[MalcolmInN]

Enjoyed viewing it over a late breakfast in our local Lloyds Bar. One kind fella had brought along a piece of glass from a welder's mask which provided an ideal way to view it, although I am sure somebody with professional knowledge will tell me that it was very dangerous.

There is a well circulated advisory from NASA that says #14 welders glass is suitable.
"One of the most widely available filters for safe solar viewing is shade number 14 welder's glass, which can be obtained from welding supply outlets."
http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEhelp/safety2.html

However that dates from studies before 1999 and there are some refs. on the interweb that suggests that some glass is (now?) surface coated and if scratched becomes unsafe.
So if it was old glass you should be ok !

Mind you, you only have 1 spare eyeball , , ,

[MikeDunn]

Found this ...

welding glass OD is only quoted for the visible. Gas welding generates little UV so old welding masks weren't specced for it. Arc welding masks are more UV blocking but it isn't well specified - and not worth risking your eyesight on

Given the UV etc that would have gotten through - do let us know how you get on in the next few days ... 

[MalcolmInN]

But a gas welding glass is only, ummm, what, #5 or thereabouts ? so I doubt if it would even be comfortable visually to look at the sun with it ? But I have not tried it and Woodbury wanted an expert ! so I only raise this for discussion in advance of 16y time lol!

But if NASA say #14 (arc type) that would be good enough for me to use either side of a total, - to guard against mis-timing the diamond ring effect -
for partial or annular I dont think anything is gained by direct view over projection ?

If in doubt use only 1 eye at a time

[woodbury22uk]

Forgot to say we were inside the pub watching it on the TV!

[MalcolmInN]

In that case use only one brain cell at a time,
a ) cos that is all you need
b ) it can be dangerous , , , to your sanity ;-)

[MikeDunn]

But if NASA say #14 (arc type) that would be good enough for me to use either side of a total, - to guard against mis-timing the diamond ring effect -
for partial or annular I dont think anything is gained by direct view over projection ?

You wanna trust them     Like I said, it won't stop UV etc ... it's almost purely visual wavelengths.

Me, I won't use anything less than my solar filter; almost totally opaque to the visual & near-visual spectrum.   But then, it is on the end of my scope   Projection is OK, but nothing beats seeing it properly ... well, except seeing it properly in hydrogen alpha wavelengths !!! 

[cycletrak9]

We had cloud cover here to start with but it cleared partially to let me take these

[MalcolmInN]

You wanna trust them    
,
,
well, except seeing it properly in hydrogen alpha wavelengths !!! 

Ah now there is a dilemma, do we go with NASA or you  lol! England expects every man to do his duty and decide for him(her)*self
,
,
Yep, I agree,  hydrogen alpha every time.
Incidentally, did you notice the Prof.Cox hesitate when they, live, saw that prom., he was not entirely sure if it was and wanted to wait till the evening review show, by which time he (they), he said, would have been able to consult with some experts ? ! Creased me up !

Edit * for gender equality

[MalcolmInN]

We had cloud cover here to start with but it cleared partially to let me take these

Very nice.
Very atmospheric, the trials & tribulations of the earthbound astronomer !
Where is Nidderdale ? >> off to google.
what lens /scope please ? filter / exposure , sorry for all the Qs just curious

[cycletrak9]

Hi Malcolm

Nidderdale is in North Yorkshire - our village is about 8 miles west of Harrogate.

Nothing clever about the camera - it's a Fuji Finepix bridge camera. Took the photos from the back doorstep -auto setting, just pointed and pressed the button.

I'm 72 this year, can't guarantee that I'll be around for the next one!