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Eclipse viewers and events near you for June 21
View the Eclipse
As a part of the SALT Collateral Benefits Plan the disabled and unemployed community in
the town of Sutherland have made solar viewers to view the upcoming solar
eclipse. 160 000 viewers are available at a fair price.
Contact Case Rijsdick at the SAAO
Case Rijsdijk *. Tel 4470025 W
South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) Tel 6892244 H
P O Box 9, . Fax 4473639 W
Observatory 7935 . Fax 6892244 H
South Africa . Int + 27 21
. *. . *
* . SOUTH IS UP!
. . .
*
University of Port Elizabeth
The Department of Science, Mathematics and Technology Education (SMATE) at UPE is preparing Eclipse Teacher's Kits for distribution to Eastern Cape
teachers associated with our teacher upgrading programmes (informal, DE and
B.Ed.). The kits consist of a short (16 A5 pages) Eclipse Teacher's Booklet
and 30 pairs of viewing glasses. Exclusive of distribution costs, the kits
will be about R39. For further information, contact Scott Linneman or Paul
Webb (cenppw@upe.ac.za).
Contact:
Dr. Scott Linneman
Department of Science, Mathematics and Technology Education
University of Port Elizabeth
#20 Bird Street, Central PE 6001 RSA
ph: 041-585-8718
fax: 041-582-1000
email: censsl@upe.ac.za
PLANETARIUM PLANS FOR THE JUNE 21ST (2001) ECLIPSE
We would like to use this eclipse to raise the awareness of astronomy in SA.
Project: Eclipse-viewing sites
We would like to encourage schools and other organisations (such as
businesses,churches) to set up eclipse-viewing sites. For example, one school has
offered to set up viewing sites in three Jhb shopping centres. Setting up a viewing
site involves the participating group:
* selecting a location (school, shopping centre, taxi rank) where there will
be people between 2pm and 4pm on the day of the eclipse;
* having a large sign, e.g. "Watch the Eclipse here"
* handing out (and possibly selling) eclipse viewing glasses to passing
members of the public;
* explaining what is going on (the Moon is in front of the Sun, we are in
the shadow of the Moon).
All the above can be done by kids. We have done it at least three times in
recent years, in Johannesburg. What strikes me about running an eclipse
viewing site is: EVERYBODY is fascinated at the sight of the partial eclipse, and
the amount of goodwill generated by us offering this free experience is
unbelievable. It is a real heart-warming experience. It would be wonderful
to pass this on to as many kids as possible.
I am hoping that we can use this project to help alleviate the problem of
people hearing about the eclipse the day before and not having suitable viewing equipment - I hope we can use the media to tell people where they can go
to watch the eclipse. We will have at least one person accessible by cellphone to
assist on the afternoon of the eclipse.
Project: Moon-watching
We have been developing (with the help of Jeffco Planetarium, Colorado) a
series of star-charts disguised as moon-recording charts. These are nominally a
worksheet that require the kids to record the Moon's shape each night. In
reality, they are star-charts in disguise. The kids use the Moon's position
to help locate the brighter stars. We have tested them in the Planetarium and
in a couple of schools, and they work very well. Feedback so far from
school-teachers has led us to start compiling lists of the bright stars and
the constellations so the kids can find out more about the stars. This list
will be available with the May/June moon charts, and will be the start of an
astronomy booklet aimed at learners.
Following up on a suggestion from eclipse-watcher and ex-planetarian
Francisco Diego, we will be distributing a version of the above star-chart that will
enable the kids to follow the progress of the Moon towards the Sun in the
early mornings over the week prior to the eclipse. Sample available on request
(give me a fax number, or I can send you a CorelDraw file).
Events:
* a "Get ready for the Eclipse" afternoon on June 16th (Youth Day) -
continuous
short planetarium shows in the auditorium, and music, sun-related activities
and
(I hope) cultural activies (attend a show and perform an "eclipse rap"
outside
has been suggested);
* an eclipse show will run in our regular weekend show slot;
* weekday school-shows for grade 4 up currently include ten minutes on the
eclipse
Competition:
The Planetarium would be willing to donate a telescope as prize for a
competition along the lines of: What did you enjoy most about the eclipse?
Create an artwork / poem / short story about it.
Claire Flanagan [mailto:111flan@cosmos.wits.ac.za]
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