Partial Solar Eclipse Observing at Oliver’s Mount – 12th August 2026

Posted on 18 July 2026 by Neil Graham

On Wednesday 12th August 2026, SARAS members will be setting up specially filtered solar telescopes at Oliver’s Mount, Scarborough (Map) for observing the partial solar eclipse, come along if you’d like to see the eclipse (weather dependent of course)!

Eclipse 12th August 2026

Solar Eclipse Details

Although not a Total Eclipse (we will not experience the eerie darkening of full totality) the sun will appear approximately 90% covered by the moon.

This will be the most coverage in a solar eclipse visible from the UK until the next Total Eclipse on 23 September 2090! The partial Eclipse starts at 18:12, solar maximum (most Sun covered by the Moon) at 19:08, and end at 20:02.

More details of the expected view of the eclipse from Oliver’s Mount can be viewed here: timeanddate.com.

SARAS will have a limited quantity of eclipse glasses available at the event (£1 per pair) but are also available from online retailers (Amazon, eBay etc).

Please be aware, if the weather forecast is for unfavourable viewing (overcast skies, rain, fog, etc) meaning viewing the eclipse will be impossible, SARAS will not proceed with the event and will not be present at Oliver’s Mount, any cancellation/updates will be provided on this website and social media.

How to Safely observe a Solar Eclipse

There are various safe methods of observing solar events however the cardinal rule is NEVER LOOK DIRECTLY AT THE SUN unless through equipment specifically designed for solar observing, which can include eclipse glasses, a telescope equipped with a proper ‘white light’ solar filter (such as ones made by Baader), or a dedicated solar telescope/

An unfiltered telescope or binoculars, sunglasses, or welding glass are not designed for this purpose and should not be used.

Indirect viewing using projection is a cheap and effective way to observe solar eclipses, there are many guides online for how to make a solar projector or pinhole camera (‘camera obscura’), using readily available items such as a long cardboard tube or sheet of card, some white paper, sticky tape, and a piece of tin foil. 
Here’s one such resource which demonstrates the principle really well: How to make a pinhole camera

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S&RAS will be at Ayton Gala – Saturday 11th July 2026

Posted on 20 June 2026 by Neil Graham

S&RAS members will be at the Ayton Gala on Saturday 11th July 2026, 11:00 – 16:00.

We will have Solar scopes set up for safe solar viewing (weather permitting).

 

The society has held our monthly meetings at the village hall since 2005, so this is the ideal opportunity to promote the society and our meetings, as well as our calendar of public stargazing events in Dalby Forest.

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Ayton Meeting – Guest Speaker – Tony Kersley – “Meteorites with practical session”

Posted on 20 June 2026 by Jonathan Mortimer

Friday 17th July 2026 7.30pm, East Ayton Village Hall, Scarborough

Guest Speaker: Tony Kearsley will be presenting “Meteorites with practical session”, an explanatory talk to describe the main groups of meteorites, and then let people look at a range of specimens.

Free entry for members of the society.
£3 on the door for non-members.

Doors open 7:15pm
Free refreshments.

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