“Your Guide to Viewing the Upcoming Total Solar Eclipse from Australia”
In the early hours of tomorrow morning, sky enthusiasts worldwide will have the opportunity to witness a rare celestial event: a total solar eclipse. However, for those residing in Australia, there’s a catch – the eclipse will occur during nighttime hours here, making it invisible in our skies. Instead, the phenomenon will be observable exclusively in North America, spanning specific regions of Mexico, the United States, and Canada. Nevertheless, you can still partake in the spectacle from the comfort of your own home. Here’s how, along with everything you need to know about the upcoming total solar eclipse.
A total solar eclipse transpires when the moon perfectly aligns between the Earth and the sun, obscuring the sun’s light and casting a vast shadow over our planet. This phenomenon differs slightly from a partial solar eclipse, wherein the moon only partially obstructs the sun.
Eclipse viewing can pose risks to the eyes, necessitating the use of special glasses for safe observation as the moon traverses across the sky. While it’s safe to view the sun with the naked eye during the totality phase when it is completely obscured, certified eclipse glasses remain indispensable before and after this period to prevent eye damage. Additionally, solar filters are imperative for cameras, binoculars, and telescopes to ensure safe viewing.
The “path of totality” – the region where the total eclipse is predicted to be visible – extends from Mexico’s Pacific coast through various locations such as Dallas, Cleveland, and Niagara Falls, and onward to Newfoundland in Canada’s east. Totality, during which the sun is completely obscured, will last approximately five minutes at any given location on the ground. This extended duration is attributable to the moon’s proximity to Earth on eclipse day, being 360,000 kilometers away, resulting in a slightly larger appearance in the sky and a prolonged period of darkness.
While the total eclipse will only be visible from a narrow strip of land, much of the North American continent will have the opportunity to witness at least a partial eclipse.
Unlike last year’s total eclipse visible from Exmouth in Western Australia, this event won’t be observable in Australian skies. Thus, the recommended method to watch is via online livestreams. NASA will commence livestreaming at 3 a.m. (AEST), and the Associated Press will initiate broadcasting at midnight.
Looking ahead, the next total solar eclipse is slated for 2026, which also won’t be visible from Australia. It will traverse the skies of Greenland, Iceland, and Spain. Australian residents will need to wait until 2028 for their turn, when a total eclipse will sweep over much of the country, spanning from Western Australia’s Kimberley region to Sydney.
