THE sun will not die this afternoon and, even though a big chunk of it will start to disappear around 2 p.m., it is not ill. All should be back to normal by about 4.30 p.m. Except that sadly the weather looks like being cloudy and dull, so most of us probably won't notice today's eclipse anyway.
Solar eclipses, partial ones at least, are quite common, but they can still be exciting to watch, weather permitting.
They happen when the moon comes between the earth and the sun. At least two happen each year somewhere in the world - today's, for example, will be visible from most of northern Europe. At about 1.45 p.m. we will see the moon's silhouette take a big bite out of the sun, when it moves into the sun's top right-hand side.
Over the next 2 1/2 hours, it will move across the sun's face so that by about 3.07 p.m. it will obscure over half of the sun. If there's a break in the clouds, we should see a crescent sun, with the horns pointing up.
A solar eclipse cannot be seen directly. Just looking at the sun with the naked eye can damage the retina, while using binoculars or a telescope (which concentrate the burning rays) can blind you. Spectacles, sunglasses and photographic film are no good either, as none blocks out the burning infra-red radiation.
You could use a small mirror to reflect the image onto a shaded north-facing wall, or make a pin-hole camera to reflect the image on to white paper. Dr Ian Elliott at Dunsink Observatory says the best is a long tube (such as comes with carpet). Put some silver foil over the top and make a tiny hole using a fine needle.
Astronomy Ireland will be in the Papal Cross car park in the Phoenix Park, Dublin, to view the eclipse and the Irish Astronomical Association will be at the Castle Park, Bangor, Co Down, and Belfast's Ormeau Park.