Partial Solar Eclipse - 29 March 2025
Come and see a rare eclipse this weekend!
March 2025 Partial Solar Eclipse
Countdown Clock
| Date: | Saturday, 29 March 2025 |
| Time: | 10:30 - 11:30 |
| Location: | Ryetop Park, Taverners Road, Rainham, ME8 9AQ |
| Tickets: | Free event – No booking required Eclipse glasses £2 each (cash only) |
Please note: we need a bright, sunny sky. If the weather's bad, the event will be cancelled.
Keep reading for more details and important safety information.
General Information
Witness a Rare Eclipse
During this partial eclipse, the Earth, Moon, and Sun will be in alignment. Part of the Sun's disc will be covered by the Moon at 11 AM.
- Observe the best astronomical event of the year.
- Feel the connection between the Earth, Moon, and Sun.
- See the Sun like you've never seen it before.
- Learn some science and have fun!
View the Eclipse Safely
Our astronomy group will have a few ways for you to safely view the partial solar eclipse:
- View the eclipse with special eclipse glasses.
- Project an image of the Sun with a pinhole camera.
- See the Sun through a powerful telescope.
- Take a photo of the Sun during the partial eclipse.
We'll have special equipment set up to view the Sun safely. Don't attempt to try this yourself unless you have the correct solar filters and are 100% you know what you're doing.
Eclipse Glasses
We'll have eclipse glasses for you to borrow so that you can watch the eclipse safely.
Eclipse glasses will be on sale for £2.00 per pair. Cash only please. Eclipse glasses are not only for eclipses; they can be used to view sunrises, sunsets, and sunspots on any day of the year.
More About This Eclipse
Additional information from other websites:
- Time And Date - 29 March 2025 Partial Solar Eclipse
https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/solar/2025-march-29 - BBC Sky at Night Magazine - See the next UK solar eclipse this Saturday 29 March 2025
https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/news/partial-solar-eclipse-29-march-2025
The Weather
We need the sky to be clear to see the eclipse so we're hoping for a sunny morning.
The event will not go ahead if there's cloud or rain.
A go/no-go decision will be made at 09:30 on the day of the eclipse and published here.
⛅ 09:30 Weather Update: The weather looks excellent! See you at Ryetop Park at 10:30.
Information for Parents
Children are welcome but will need to be closely supervised at all times during the eclipse.
We have set the recommended minimum age at 8 years old. Children must understand the dangers of looking at the Sun and be able to follow the safety instructions when using eclipse glasses and other solar viewing devices.
Under 18s must be accompanied by a parent/guardian or responsible adult.
How to find us
Address: Ryetop Playing Fields, Taverners Road, Rainham, ME8 9AQ
Parking: Limited street parking is available. Please avoid parking in Beacon Close because the road is narrow and parking is restricted (double-yellow lines) near the park entrance.
Map Links: Google Maps | Apple Maps | Bing Maps | OpenStreetMap
Important Safety Information
Viewing the Sun can be very dangerous. NEVER look at the Sun without special eye protection.
Warning!
Looking at the Sun can cause serious eye damage or blindness.
The following methods are NOT safe:
- The naked eye
- Sunglasses
- Binoculars
- Smoked glass
- Cameras
- Telescopes
Safe ways to view the Sun:
- ISO-certified eclipse glasses from a reputable manufacturer
- Special solar filters and solar film for optical devices
- Pinhole cameras and other projection methods
Your eyesight is priceless. Do NOT take any risks.
NEVER allow children to view the Sun on their own.
Looking directly at the Sun during a solar eclipse or at any other time can cause permanent eye damage.
Eclipse Glasses
Only use eclipse glasses from a reputable manufacturer and supplier.
Our astronomy group has US-made eclipse glasses available for you to borrow so that you can view the eclipse safely. We'll have eclipse glasses for sale for the low price of £2.00 per pair.
- Read the safety information before using them for the first time.
- Retain the safety information for future reference.
- Never allow children to use eclipse glasses by themselves.
The American Astronomical Association says, "We do not recommend searching for eclipse glasses on Amazon, eBay, Temu, or any other online marketplace and buying from whichever vendor offers the lowest price."
We would echo that advice. In particular, we urge you NOT to purchase Chinese-made products due to the high volume of counterfeit/fake eclipse glasses on the market. It is impossible to know if these products are safe to use to look at the Sun.
Safety Briefing
There will be a short safety briefing when you arrive.
Before using eclipse glasses, children will see a short demonstration on how to use them safely.
Safety Advice Online
- American Astronomical Society - How to View a Solar Eclipse Safely
https://eclipse.aas.org/eye-safety - Time And Date - Eclipse Safety Tips
https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/eclipse-tips-safety.html - NASA - Eclipse Eye Safety
https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/safety/
Questions & Feedback
We are happy to answer any questions you have about the eclipse.
Email us at [email protected]
Online Resources
Learn more about eclipses!
For Children
We found these websites and fun activities to get youngsters excited about eclipses and space science in general:
- NASA Space Place - Explore Earth and Space!
https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/eclipses/en/ - NASA - Make a Pinhole Projector
https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/12638
For Astronomy Students
Here are some websites with more indepth technical information for anyone who wants to take their astronomy knowledge to the next level:
- NASA: Solar Physics Group
https://solarscience.msfc.nasa.gov/ - NASA: Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) - Imaging the Sun
https://sdo.gsfc.nasa.gov/data/ - The National Solar Observatory (NSO)
https://nso.edu/ - Solar Monitor - Up-to-update IMages of the Sun
https://solarmonitor.org/ - Met Office - Space Weather & Auroras
https://weather.metoffice.gov.uk/learn-about/space-weather
Contact Details
This is a free event organised by TRAC Operations Ltd for the benefit of the local community.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 07999 356 890