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A partial solar eclipse
What is a solar eclipse, and how is it caused? What can members of the public expect to see, and how can they observe an eclipse safely?
This booklet, first published January 2015, explains the answers to these questions and more. It also includes links to resources for teachers. The booklet was created specifically for the solar eclipse of 20 March 2015, and has since been updated so that the advice and explanations apply to all solar eclipses.
The RAS produced the booklet in collaboration with the Society for Popular Astronomy (SPA). It was released in conjuction with an RAS public talk on eclipses, which is available to view online.
Hundreds of copies have been distributed by the RAS and SPA to schools and members of the public. It is also available below.