Seminole Community College Planetarium

Press Release 032805

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PARTIAL SOLAR ECLIPSE PARTY FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 2005 AT 5:15 PM

DATE: FRIDAY: APRIL 8, 2005
TIME: 5:15 PM - 7:15 PM
LOCATION: Seminole Community College Planetarium
100 Weldon Blvd, Sanford, Florida
COST: FREE
PUBLIC INFORMATION: 407 328 2409

Press Contact: Laurent Pellerin
SCC Planetarium Operations & Production
100 Weldon Blvd
Sanford, FL 32773
PelleriL@...
Office: 407 328 2409
Cell: 407 754 4078

PARTIAL SOLAR ECLIPSE PARTY FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 2005 AT 5:15 PM

The next Solar Eclipse for Central Florida will occur just before
sunset on Friday, April 8th. This will not be a total eclipse, but only
a Partial Eclipse, which means that the Moon will block only 38% of the
Sun. But, since the next Total Eclipse for North America won't occur
until the year 2017, even 38% is something special to see.

The Eclipse will begin at 5:25 PM for Orlando;

Maximum coverage will occur at 6:21 PM;

And the Eclipse will end at 7:11 PM.

We urge all media to inform the public of the dangers of trying to
observe this eclipse without proper Solar Filters. Even with the Sun
nearing sunset during this eclipse, it is very dangerous to look
directly at the Sun without proper filters. Mylar balloons, exposed
film, smoked or welder's glass (unless at least #14,) CDs, and other
"homemade filters" are NOT SAFE! They may block enough visible
light to observe the Sun, but they DO NOT block ultra-violet and/or
infra-red. It is these wavelengths of light that cause permanent eye
damage. Because this damage may be delayed in showing up, just as skin
cancer can take years to show up, people could cause irreparable harm to
their eyes without even knowing it.

Use ONLY professionally made solar filters, such as the ones made for
telescopes or the free solar glasses available in many astronomy and
science magazines whenever an eclipse occurs. Or make a pinhole
projector by poking a small pin hole in a piece of cardboard and then
projecting the Sun's image onto another sheet or the sidewalk, wall,
etc.

But by far the best way to enjoy a Solar Eclipse in Central Florida is
to attend the Solar Eclipse Party at the Seminole Community College
Planetarium in Sanford. We will have telescopes available for the
public to look through for FREE! And you may be assured of a safe
viewing with our professional solar filters. Experts will also be on
hand to answer any questions.

As always, News Media are welcome at our events.



Laurent A. Pellerin, Jr.
Operations & Production Manager
Seminole Community College Planetarium
100 Weldon Blvd
Sanford, Florida 32773-6199
407 328 2409 (Office)
407 754 4078 (Cell)
407 328 2360 (Show Info)
PelleriL@...
http://www.scc-fl.edu/planet/

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Due to Florida's very broad public records law, most written communications to
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