Watch LIVE: Total Solar Eclipse of 20 March 2015

A total solar eclipse is one of the most beautiful natural phenomena to watch. On 20 March at 8:30UT, this nature's beauty will visit Europe and the North Atlantic, allowing millions of people to witness it. Those who have been lucky enough to see a total solar eclipse or even a partial one will agree that it's never really the same to watch it through a computer screen than in person - which I completely agree! However, thanks to dedicated people and groups, we are able to witness it digitally, as it happens, bringing us more closer than we could.

Enjoy the eclipse viewing and if you come across more live webcasts, please drop me a message on comments or via Twitter @ThilinaH

All live web feeds are weather permitting.

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From Catalonia, Spain: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcPjsJk9dy4XgUoJOpR4qOw
A group of observers with the support of RTV10 tv station, will be brodcasting from Sant Esteve Sesrovires in Catalonia, Spain. The group will use a 60mm Lunt Hidrogen-Alfa telescope, equipped with a WATEC 120N+ video camera and a KIWI time inserter. (backup broadcast: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxiz86S1ZYh6Bhj7pu7xrEQ)


Multiple live feeds from Ireland: http://eclipse2015.ie/
Thanks to School Of Physics at Trinity College Dublin  and partners, there will be streaming live eclipse feeds from Dublin, Armagh and Galway for a better chance of seeing the partial eclipse even considering the high chance of cloud.


From Longyearbyen, near the North Pole: http://www.nrk.no/troms/solar-eclipse-1.12257825
Norwegian national broadcaster NRK will stream total solar eclipse from Longyearbyen on the archipelago of Svalbard. They will run a two-hour long stream with one camera trailing the Sun during the entire eclipse. (total solar eclipse stream)


SLOOH feed from Faroe Islands: http://live.slooh.com/stadium/live/the-total-solar-eclipse-of-2015
Starting from 8:30UTC, Slooh expedition team will be broadcasting live images and commentary from the Faroe Islands. (total solar eclipse stream)


Virtual Telescope from Italy: http://www.virtualtelescope.eu/webtv/
The Virtual Telescope facility in Italy will be broadcasting with commentary by astrophysicist, Dr. Gianluca Masi. They will also attempt to show other live feeds from different locations across Europe.


Faroese Broadcasting Corporation: https://youtu.be/7Egm1Z5OYcU
Live from the Faroe Islands in broadcast quality, one camera on the Sun close up, and the other stream be from the TV-station. (backup broadcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKduWOwWC5s) (total solar eclipse stream)

Shelios and GLORIA: http://www.sky-live.tv/
A team of astronomers will be observing and broadcasting from the Centre for Maritime Studies at the University of the Faroe Islands, located in the archipelago's capital, Torshavn. The event will be transmitted live on two connections. (total solar eclipse stream)


From Denmark: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8Vo_b5BhVM
Live stream coverage of the solar eclipse from Mogens Winther Observatory at AGS, Alssundgymnasiet Sønderborg, Denmark.


Image feed from Austria:
Every 10 seconds, Austrian Solarobservatory Kanzelhöhe will be live feeding images in h-alpha  http://cesar.kso.ac.at/sofih.php and white light http://cesar.kso.ac.at/sofiw.php throughout the eclipse.


University of Barcelona: http://eclipsi2015.ub.edu/
The Department of Astronomy and Meteorology at the University of Barcelona will broadcast the eclipse from Catalunya, Spain.


Astronomical Association of Sabadell, Spain: http://www.astrosabadell.org/directe/index.html
A team at the astronomical association will be streaming a live feed from Sabadell with some commentary (possibly in Spanish).


Ebro Observatory, Spain: http://eclipsi2015.obsebre.es/
The Ebro Observatory will follow the event live by publishing real-time photos taken with their solar telescope. They will follow this accompanied by 6th grade students in primary school Marcelino Domingo de Roquetas.


MISIÓN ECLIPSE feed from Faroe Islands: http://www.misioneclipse.es/directo/
In collaboration with elPeriodico.com (El Periódico de Catalunya), MISIÓN ECLIPSE will have a live feed from Toshvan, Faroe Islands.  (total solar eclipse stream)


Live Images from Spain: http://www.eclipse.roa.es/Archivos/Eclipse_en_directo.htm
Real Instituto and Observatorio de la Armada from Spain will have an image feed refreshing every 15 seconds.


Observatory feed from Belgium: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/solar-eclips-march-20th-2015
MIRA Public Observatory in Grimbergen, Belgium will host a live feed through one of their telescopes.

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Watch Live - Total Solar Eclipse, Australia 2012

Links to several websites that will be streaming the total solar eclipse from Australia on 14 November (local time) are listed below. Totality will begin at 06:35 Australian Eastern Standard Time on 14 November (20:35 UTC on 13 November)

More information about the Total Solar Eclipse visit NASA Eclipse page. If you know more webcasts, please drop me an email in order to add to the below list.




Cairns Solar Eclipse, 2012

The official destination website for the total solar Eclipse over Cairns and Great Barrier Reef will feature Terry Cuttle from the Astronomical Association of Queensland as the host. He will be joined by Kate Russo (eclipse chaser and author), Ben Southall (winner of the 'Best Job in the World' promotion and tourism ambassador), Richard Fitzpatrick (an underwater cameraman, will be live from under water) and Alan Hale (from Hale-Bopp comet who is studying comets close to the Sun which can only be seen during an eclipse).

SLOOH

SLOOH will broadcast a free, real-time feed of the stunning total solar eclipse live from Cairns, Australia. The broadcast team includes Patrick Paolucci, Bob Berman, Lucie Green, Matt Francis and Paul Cox.

2012 Eclipse live from a Cairns Hot Air Balloon

Up to a dozen hot air balloons floating west of Cairns, Queensland Australia, with visitors from 20 different countries will be part of a live webcast of the 2012 total solar eclipse.

Cairns City Eclipse 2012 webcam

Can't make it to Cairns to see the Eclipse? No problem! Just check back on 14 November before 6:39am AEST (GMT+10) to see it live on our webcam.

GLORIA Project

Videos and pictures of the eclipse will be broadcast live on the internet starting at 20:30 UT. Additionally meteorological data will be collected to allow students to perform an interactive experiment. During the broadcast there will be live commentary in Spanish and English.

Live Web Camera from Port Douglas Australia 2012



Images credit: Luc Viatour / fir0002 | flagstaffotos.com.au / Jay Anderson


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Totality and Victory

Total Solar Eclipse of 11 July 2010

FIFA 2010 World Champions - Spain

Above two images definitely sums up everything happened yesterday - Sunday 11 July 2010 - and it was one of those days you completely rely on technology and be thankful about it. Being able to watch two amazing events, FIFA 2010 Finals and the Total Solar Eclipse via internet simultaneously and share it with others was a great experience.

A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and the Earth, blocking its rays and casting a shadow. The eclipse took place on the 11 July 2010 followed an 11,000km (6.900-mile) path over the South Pacific. The longest time of eclipse - five minutes and 20 seconds - was over the sea.

It's reported that some 5000 astronomers were spread out across the atolls of French Polynesia catch this spectacular solar eclipse. And few among this group took the extra effort to web-stream the Eclipse online for the rest of the world to watch!

As an effort to expand their outreach, I contacted few eclipse chasers, researched more and compiled a list of web-streams to one place, so everyone can easily access. This effort was publicized via Facebook, Twitter and other email groups. Should note that many of my twitter and facebook friends did a great job by sharing it with more people.

The first live web stream came via a group from Wakayama University at Hao (French Polynesia). Below are some screen captures from their web stream.

Few minutes into the Totality it got clouded and Wakayama web-stream went off line. Then a group called Shelios started a web-stream. Below are some screen captures from their web-stream.

During the 5-hour event, sky watchers spent as much as 4 minutes completely enveloped in the Moon's shadow watching in awe as the solar corona revealed itself to the human eye.

As soon as the eclipse ended, photos started pouring in, and it was a well treat for everyone. Below are some of the best images available up to now ( 5:30UT 12 July 2010). Enjoy!

Photo by Donald Gardner (Atoll de Hao, French Polynesia)

Photo by Donald Gardner (Atoll de Hao, French Polynesia)

Photo by Donald Gardner (Atoll de Hao, French Polynesia)

Photo by Donald Gardner (Atoll de Hao, French Polynesia)

Photo by Constantinos Emmanouilidis (Mangaia, Cook Islands)

Photo by AFP (Martin Bernetti)

Photo by Bill Kramer (Paul Gauguin - South of Tahiti)

Photo by Alson Wong (Paul Gauguin - South of Tahiti)

Photo by Alson Wong (Paul Gauguin - South of Tahiti)

Photo by Alson Wong (Paul Gauguin - South of Tahiti)

Photo by Stefan Krause from El Calafate-Argentina

Shelios expedition crew after the Eclipse and celebrating the Spain victory

It was a fantastic Sunday with the Total Solar Eclipse and the FIFA 2010 finals. If you missed the eclipse live feed, check the below video complied by Reuters.

First video from Reuters

Image: above images are copyrighted by the respective photographer.

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Watch Live - Total Solar Eclipse of July 11, 2010

A spectacular total solar eclipse will occur on July 11, 2010 over the ancient statues of Easter Island, where those lucky enough to have made it to the Pacific will witness the last total eclipse to occur until November 2012.

But some of the Eclipse Chasers/Groups are taking the extra effort to web-stream the Eclipse online for the rest of the world to watch!

Below you can find a list of links to the website where you can watch the stream. If you know more web-streams, please email to thilina.heenatigala@yahoo.com

DATE: 11 July 2010
TIME:
(P1) Partial begin 17:09:41 UT
(U1) Total begin 18:15:15 UT
Greatest eclipse 19:34:38 UT
(U4) Total end 20:51:42 UT
(P4) Partial end 21:57:16 UT

Starting time of solar eclipse around the world in their local times:

1. India – Sun 23:45
2. Adelaide – Mon 03:45
3. Amsterdam – Sun 20:15
4. Bangkok – Mon 01:15
5. Beijing – Mon 02:15
6. Boston – Sun 14:15
7. Brisbane – Mon 04:15
8. Dubai – Sun 22:15
9. Frankfurt – Sun 20:15
10. Hong Kong – Mon 02:15
11. London – Sun 19:15
12. Mexico City – Sun 13:15
13. New York – Sun 14:15
14. Paris – Sun 20:15
15. Riyadh – Sun 21:15
16. Tokyo – Mon 03:15
17. Zurich – Sun 20:15


Web streams:

LIVE! ELIPSE 2010

Shelios Association/Universidad Politécnica de Madrid's Ciclope Group

Mision Eclipse (Spanish)

Exploratorium

Shelios 2010

Saros.org

MiC Paris (Japanese)



Solar eclipse of July 11, 2010

A total solar eclipse will occur on July 11, 2010. A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, thereby totally or partially obscuring Earth's view of the Sun. A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon's apparent diameter is larger than the Sun, blocking all direct sunlight, turning day into darkness. Totality occurs in a narrow path across the surface of the Earth, while a partial solar eclipse will be visible over a region thousands of miles wide.

The path of the Moon's umbral shadow crosses the South Pacific Ocean where it makes no landfall except for Mangaia (Cook Islands) and Easter Island (Isla de Pascua). The path of totality ends just after reaching southern Chile and Argentina. The Moon's penumbral shadow produces a partial eclipse visible from a much larger region covering the South Pacific and southern South America.

You can also join via Facebook event. Enjoy and share with your friends!


Source: NASA GSFC(images/data)/Wiki(data)

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Ring of Fire – An unforgettable experience

Over the years I have being involved with many outreach events,but never was so excited as this, adding to that excitement, it was the first time all of us went to Jaffna – North of Sri Lanka.

Eclipse Team

Expedition to Northern Sri Lanka to catch the Ring of Fire started around 7.00pm on the 13th.



Team
1. Thilina Heenatigala – Sri Lanka Astronomical Association
2. Anuradha Jayathilaka - SkyLK
3. Hasitha Karunaratne - SkyLK
4. Imesh Perera – Astronomy & Space Study Center
5. Prasanna Deshapriya – Sri Lanka Astronomical Association
6. ArunaGammanpila - SkyLK
7. Plashthi Kanaththage - Astronomy & Space Study Center
8. Thishan Pavithra - Astronomy & Space Study Center
9. Bhasura Gunawardhana – Royal College Astronomical Society
10. Shamil Asitha Kuruppu - Royal College Astronomical Society




By the time we reach Jaffna, it was about 12noon on the 14th. First thing to do was to schedule a time to check our observing location. Around 5pm we went to Jaffna Hindu College ground, and checked for a good place to set up our equipments.

Observing a good observing location for the big day

discussing arrangements with the Jaffna Hindu College, Principal and the Staff

On 15th early morning we came to the grounds, the sky was clear and was promising a good view. Everyone started with whatever the duties they are assigned to, I went and gave a talk for the students of Jaffna Hindu College. It was bit difficult as we had to use a translator, Uma (Express Media) who was very helpful throughout the program. Communication had been a problem from the time we got to Jaffna, as majority of the people only speak Tamil. But regardless of the language barrier, we were able to communicate and get the message of the Eclipse across.

Testing the webstream

more testing

setting up the photography equipments

Good to GO!

just before Eclipse talk for the students at Jaffna Hindu College

interview for the Virakesarai Media

From the start of the Eclipse, we had the crowd flowing, from all ages and different backgrounds. One of our main goals was to do a live stream of the eclipse. But from the morning we had troubles as we couldn’t get a good signal to keep the connection. It was disconnecting every 2-5minutes which was very disappointing.

This Eclipse was particularly interesting as it was involved with many technological aspects. There were many groups who uploaded live photos from Colombo, Aunuradhapura, Chillaw, and Jaffna. And some tried to web-stream as well. Interesting the last eclipse to cross Sri Lanka was in 1955 where there were hardly any technology around, and the internet was yet to be born. It's interesting how things have evolved over the years and now people from the other side of the world or those who couldn't travel to catch the glimpse of the eclipse could easily experience it live via internet.

You can read an interesting view point by Nalaka Gunewardene, how Main Stream Media and New Media covered the event.

But regardless of the technical difficulties, we managed to share the beauty of the eclipse with the 2000 participants. The annular phase was screened to a projector, so that everyone can see at once. It was very interesting to see the enthusiasm of the local crowd, and the endless questions on Solar Observing.

first set of students came in. such a long line!

students waiting for their opportunity to view to eclipse

I'm next!

all the teacher were given proper instructions for safe viewing.

just before the annular phase, everyone eagerly waiting...

2000 participants were difficult to handle during the annular phase!

all eyes on the screen! Maximum annular phase!

Many groups from Colombo joined as well. Plenty of amateur/professional photographers joined together to capture the Ring of Fire.

Group from Colombo

photographers sharing their images

Eclipse Images










Regardless of the language difference we had, the Eclipse truly brought everyone together. Some of the Jaffna local participants expressed their views on our efforts and the experience they had, even though we didn't understand most of it, their faces showed how delighted they were.

"Fellowship of the Ring" - The Eclipse Team

All the 10 members of the Eclipse team worked hard to share the joy of this beautiful Ring of Fire with the locals and other visitors. It was an effort to remember for the rest of our lives. Hats off to all the team members. And we are thankful to all those who helped us to put this together, specially the Express Media staff.



Photo Credit: Thilina Heenatigala/Eclipse Team/Sinhalaya Travels.
Please feel free to use the photos and share them.

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