Solar Eclipse 13th – 14th November
What Is a solar eclipse? A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon's apparent diameter is larger than the Sun, blocking all direct sunlight, turning day into darkness. Totality occurs in a narrow path across the surface of the Earth, while a partial solar eclipse will be visible over a region thousands of kilometres wide.
Facts about this solar eclipse For this eclipse totality will be visible from northern Australia and the southern Pacific Ocean. The most populous city to experience totality will be Cairns, which will experience 2 minutes of totality just an hour after daybreak (06:38 AEST, 20:38 UTC) with the sun at an altitude of just 14째. Norfolk Island, a small pacific island east of Australia, will experience a partial eclipse with a maximum of 98% of the sun obscured at 09:37 NFT and an altitude of 42째.
More Fun Facts Parts of northern New Zealand including Auckland will experience a partial eclipse with over 80% of the sun obscured. Christchurch and points north will see at least 60% of the sun obscured. Maximum eclipse over New Zealand will occur around 10:30 NZDT (21:30 UTC).
Watching The Eclipse Looking directly at the photosphere of the Sun (the bright disk of the Sun itself), even for just a few seconds, can cause permanent damage to the retina of the eye, because of the intense visible and invisible radiation that the photosphere emits. This damage can result in impairment of vision, up to and including blindness. The retina has no sensitivity to pain, and the effects of retinal damage may not appear for hours, so there is no warning that injury is occurring.
Enjoy Your Solar Eclipse A recent online survey showed that 90% of respondents think that it will be an amazing site. We hope that you have a great time and remember protection if you are going to be viewing the eclipse first hand.