Be prepared to safely see eclipse

Put on your shades Stratford, not due to bright sunshine but because the sun will be partially blotted out by the moon next Wednesday, November 14, and welding glasses is the best way to view the phenomena, according to Stratford amateur astronomer Kevin Bradley.

"Do not look directly into the sun. It will harm your eyes," he warns.

Instead, he suggest donning number 14 welding glasses or to make a pinhole camera. "Make a pinpoint hole in the middle of a piece of cardboard. Point it in the sun's direction and catch the light through the pinhole on a piece of paper behind it. Keep your eyes on the paper; you will see the shadow move across the sun."

Taranaki will only see a partial eclipse, starting 09.22am with maximum eclipse around 10.30am and it ending 11.45am.

The next time Stratford will be witness to a total eclipse will be November 13, 2357.