A total eclipse of the sun is arguably nature’s most spectacular and awe-inspiring phenomenon.
Australia will play host to such an event next week and all eyes will be on the horizon overlooking the Coral Sea in Tropical North Queensland as the total solar eclipse casts an incredible shadow across the region on November 14.
Port Douglas and Cairns will be the best places in the world to witness this natural phenomenon and well-known local astronomer Dave Reneke will be on hand to record it all. David has been personally invited by Cairns Council and Port Douglas Tourism to travel north, explaining the eclipse to visitors from all around the world during eclipse week and to visit local schools demonstrating safe solar viewing.
The eclipse starts at dawn in the very north of Australia, passing over Cairns then narrowly missing Norfolk Island. The eclipse track then crosses the Pacific Ocean without making landfall anywhere. Here in the Hastings we’ll get to see the eclipse but not totality.
“You should see the sun start to ‘disappear’ just after 7am, with maximum eclipse and most of the disc eaten up like a little Pac-Man at 8am,” Dave added.
Total eclipses of the sun in a particular area are rare and arguably nature’s most spectacular and awe inspiring phenomenon. There has not been a total eclipse seen from mainland Australia since the South Australian eclipse of December 4, 2002. The next chance you’ll have won‘t be until July 22, 2028 over Sydney.
Dave warned about viewing the sun without proper eye protection.
“You will need special filtered glasses that reduce the sun’s glare,” Dave said.
“Under no circumstances use sunglass lenses, exposed photographic film, compact discs or smoked glass. These offer no protection and actually increase the danger of eye damage!”
During totality, the sky becomes dark, confusing birds and other animals. You see stars in the sky and it gets strangely cooler. Streetlights may come on as their sensors register the lack of light. The birds disappear from the trees and flowers have been known to close up, expecting nightfall. All around you the crowds begin to cheer and clap — that’s when you know ‘it’s on’!
Just before and just after totality, the disc of the sun is glimpsed as a pinpoint of light through mountains and craters at the edge of the moon. This ‘diamond ring effect’ is one of the highlights of a total eclipse.
“Once in your life, this is an event not to be missed,” Dave said. “I saw this in 2002 and it was singularly the most incredible sight I’ve seen, I want to see it again!”
For more information on the eclipse, visit Dave’s website www.davidreneke.com or to purchase the special $5 solar glasses, ring 6585 2260.
