Dear Editor,
There will be a partial solar eclipse visible over Guyana on Saturday afternoon October 14, from about half past one to about half past four. There will be small differences in event times, depending on where it is viewed. The umbral shadow of the moon is calculated to begin covering the sun at 13:28:55 in Georgetown, and at 13:32:33 in Aishalton. Maximum coverage will take place shortly after 3 pm but will range from 55-60% along the Coast to greater than 70% by Aishalton and further south. Forecast simulations are available on the internet.
Do not look directly at the sun. Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light that is not absorbed by the ozone layer is still harmful to the eyes. Mere diminution of the intensity of sunlight by looking through a dark glass that is not certified to exclude this invisible ultraviolet light can fool children with the lack of discomfort. It is always difficult to give instructions for safe observing because some people misread and misinterpret. Sightseeing can be done safely anywhere by looking at the image of the Sun projected through a pinhole. (Not looking through the pinhole at the sun. You would not believe how many people misinterpret this instruction.)
Get a long cardboard box, the longer it is, the bigger the image. Remove a portion of the box not in line with the length so that the inside of the box opposite the sun can be seen. Bore spaced holes with a pin and small nails in the side of the box that will face the sun. With back to the sun, aim the box at the sun by looking to see when the shadow of the box is a minimum. (Not by aiming the box to the sun like a gun barrel!) If correctly done images of the sun will appear inside the box on the opposite side, and the progress of the partial eclipse can be safely monitored.
Science students who make careful sketches/photos of such images and their times at their locations can be credited with the ORR component of science SBAs. Those who have not fixed small holes in their roof or western wall can look at the projected image. Sunlight passing momentarily on to the ground between the leaves of trees will look different. Backing the sun and curling fingers to let a small amount of sunlight through to a screen can be a quick alternative.
Sincerely,
Alfred Bhulai
