A PARTIAL solar eclipse could be visible in the skies above Bradford on Friday morning, but experts are warning people wanting to watch the phenomenon to play it safe.

The eclipse is expected to be seen at about 9.30am in the district, but how much of it is visible will depend on the level of cloud coverage, said Hilary Knaggs, treasurer and former chairman of Bradford Astronomical Society.

She told the Telegraph & Argus: "It is caused by the moon going across the sun, so if it is a clear day it will go quite dark because we are only getting about ten per cent of the sun, as the remaining 90 per cent will be blocked.

"If it's not very clear, then we won't be able to see very much at all. People will still notice it darkening, but won't be able to see a crescent."

She advised those wanting to watch the phenomenon to never look directly at the sun - either with the naked eye, or with a camera or other such equipment. Anyone looking directly at the eclipse risked burning their eyes out and permanently blindness.

MORE TOP STORIES

A pinhole projector using a piece of card, or a box to project an image of the eclipse on to a piece of white card, was the easiest solution, she said.

Around the UK the proportion of the sun covered by the moon will increase towards the north, ranging from 84 per cent in London to 89 per cent in Manchester, 93 per cent in Edinburgh, and 97 per cent in Lerwick in the Shetland Isles.

Times will also vary. In London, the eclipse begins at 8.24am, reaches its maximum extent at 9.31am, and ends at 10.41am. For observers in Edinburgh, the eclipse starts at 8.30am and peaks at 9.35 am.

The last solar eclipse of such significance occurred on August 11, 1999, and was "total" - with 100 per cent of the sun covered - when seen from Cornwall.

Another "deep" partial eclipse visible in the UK will not occur until August 12, 2026 and the next total eclipse not until September 2090.

* The district's astronomical societies are involved in a Stargazing Live observing session at East Riddlesden Hall in Keighley, on Wednesday.

The joint venture along with The National Trust and the RSPB is being held in conjunction with the BBC programme, which runs from Wednesday to Friday on BBC Two.

Members of Bradford Astronomical Society and Keighley Astronomical Society will be observing the night sky - if the conditions are favourable - and there will be a selection of telescopes on display.

If the weather is poor, there will be an indoor discussion and tips on observing the partial solar eclipse.

The free event starts at 7pm.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

HOW TO SAFELY VIEW THE SOLAR ECLIPSE

The most important message is never to look directly at the Sun, even through sunglasses or dark material such as a bin liner or photographic negative.

Makeshift filters may not screen out the harmful infrared radiation that can burn the retina of the eye.

Here are some of the best safe methods of observing the magical moment when the Moon moves in front of the Sun.

  • Using a mirror: Cover a small flat mirror with paper that has a small hole cut in it. The hole does not have to be circular but should be no wider than 5mm. A larger hole will produce a brighter but fuzzier image. Prop up or clamp the mirror so that it reflects the sunlight onto a pale screen or wall, ideally through a window. A projection distance of five metres (16.4 feet) will produce an image of the Sun just over 5cm across. The eclipse can be seen in the image as the Moon starts to take a "bite" out of the Sun, appearing upside down compared with its position in the sky. If clouds move across the face of the Sun, they can be seen as well. The smaller the mirror and further away the wall, the sharper the image will be. Experiment with the distances and mirror size. Do not look into the mirror during the eclipse as this is just as dangerous as looking directly at the Sun. A big advantage of this method is that it allows a number of people to watch the eclipseat the same time - ideal for schools.
     
  • The pinhole viewer: Pinholes allow light through them and can create an image like a lens. Make a small hole in a piece of card using a compass or other sharp-pointed implement. Standing with your back to the Sun, position another white card behind the one with the pinhole so that the Sun projects an image onto it. An alternative method uses a cereal box or something similar. Make a pinhole in one edge, point it towards the Sun, and a tiny image will be seen projected onto the inside of the box. A piece of white paper or card placed inside will make it easier to see. Never look through the pinhole at the Sun.

  • Projection from binoculars or a telescope: Cover one eyepiece of a pair of binoculars with a lens cap and face the "big" end of the binoculars towards the Sun. The uncovered lens will project an image of the Sun that can be cast onto a plain card held about a foot away. Use the focus wheel to sharpen the image. Ideally, the binoculars should be fastened to a tripod or stand. A cardboard "collar" with holes cut to fit the large lenses will shade the card on which the image is projected. A small telescope can be used the same way.
     
  • Colander method: Take an ordinary kitchen colander and stand with your back to the Sun holding it in one hand and a piece of paper in the other. The holes in the colander can be used to project multiple eclipse images onto the paper.
     
  • Eclipse viewing glasses: These are the only way of viewing the eclipse directly, other than through a telescope fitted with a professional filter. Similar to 3D glasses,eclipse viewers are made from card and inlaid with a special material that cuts the Sun's light down 100,000 times. If using a viewer, check for holes or scratches as it is only safe if undamaged. Eclipse viewers are being given away free with the Society for Popular Astronomy's members' magazine and the BBC's Sky at Night magazine.