For anyone interested, there is going to be a partial solar eclipse on Christmas day. These are all in local times. The cities listed are Fredericton, Moncton and Saint John. This came to our local nature listserver. I am not sure if it is observable from other places. If you do get to see it, remember to be careful for you eyes.

First Contact:
Time: 12:23 pm
Alt (deg): 21
Maximum Eclipse:
Time: 1:58 pm
Alt (deg): 18
Mag %: 61%
Obs: 50%
Last Contact:
Time: 3:27 pm
Alt (deg): 10

Moncton

First Contact:
Time: 12:27 pm
Alt (deg): 21
Maximum Eclipse:
Time: 2:02 pm
Alt (deg): 17
Mag %: 60%
Obs: 49%
Last Contact:
Time: 3:29 pm
Alt (deg): 8

Saint John

First Contact:
Time: 12:25 pm
Alt (deg): 21
Maximum Eclipse:
Time: 2:00 pm
Alt (deg): 18
Mag %: 60%
Obs: 49%
Last Contact:
Time: 3:28 pm
Alt (deg): 10

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Lorelei:)

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. James 1:5

Thank you, Lorelei, for posting this.

What would be the safest way to watch this?

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It is more blessed to give
than to receive. (Acts 20:35)

Daryl

I know the eclipse has passed, but I will give you the information anyway, for the next eclipse.

Not looking directly at the sun, of course, unless you have appropriate eye protection (which I think is similar to welding goggles) is the safest. You can see the extent of an eclipse by holding a piece of paper with a pinhole up to the sun and looking at the image that is formed after the light (or lack of light) passes through the hole. It is kind of like a shadow of the amount of the sun either covered or not covered (I can't remember which it is). It works though and it doesn't hurt your eyes. Much safer than looking directly at the sun.

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Lorelei:)

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. James 1:5

Hi Lorelei,

I guess this must be your MSDAOL day.

How about a smokey window? Is that safe?

_________________________
It is more blessed to give
than to receive. (Acts 20:35)

Daryl

I've always done the pinhole and paper method. I missed this year's though.

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Today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.

Don't let yesterday's mistakes trouble you, nor tomorrow's fears spoil your day.

Pastor Andrew

I heard that your can also safely watch a solar eclipse through a #14 Welder's Glasses.

Is this true?

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"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."
Romans 8:28

Daryl

In 1983 or 4 there was a full solar exlipse in North America (at least where we were living in Tennesse). Ed was a welder at the time. I took the darkest lens he had, went outside and watched the eclipse without harm. I don't know the number of the glass, but it was black to look at. And it worked.

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Even so come, Lord Jesus
Linda

[This message has been edited by Linda Sutton (edited January 09, 2001).]

It's a good thing for you that it did work!

We should be very cautious about doing that sort of thing blindly, if you catch my pun.

__________________________
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."
Romans 8:28

Daryl

I remember many years ago before I got married, there was an eclipse. One of the guys where I worked went out and looked at it through a welding lens, but I read in the newspaper that you should not do that, as it would not give adequate protection.

Just because you do not notice any harm at the time does not mean that none was done. Any damage done may have been slight and unnoticeable, but it is permanent and cumulative.

I used to look directly at the sun from time to time in my younger days. I am not blind, but I have noticed in recent years that there is a spot in the center of my visual field where colors are not as vivid. It is barely noticeable, but it is there. I figure it is the damage from looking at the sun all those times.

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The Lord is the strength of my life and my portion forever.