Total Solar Eclipse - Cairns, Queensland, Australia 2012

A total solar eclipse is an awesome natural spectacle that is as rare as it is beautiful. The next total solar eclipse is on November 14, 2012, locally. (Official eclipse guides show this as a November 13 event, measured by Universal Time.) This eclipse occurs in the Southern Hemisphere. It begins in Australia and then tracks across a long narrow path in the south Pacific Ocean. The only land viewing opportunity is in Australia.

Though the eclipse starts in the Australian Northern Territory, totality there is barely more than 1.5 minutes. Near Cairns, Queensland, the duration of totality is 2 minutes. Compared to some rare solar eclipses of almost 7 minutes of totality, 2 minutes seems short but is enough time to experience all of the wonders that come with a total solar eclipse.

Unfortunately, November represents the start of the tropical monsoon season in Cairns. Local eclipse watchers will have to be wary of the weather and be prepared to move if clouds or rain seem likely. Be sure to make a decision on your eclipse watching location early since there is not enough time to move to a new area when the eclipse is underway.

Start making plans to visit Cairns, Queensland, Australia so you are fully ready to observe the total solar eclipse on November 13, 2012. A more detailed map is available here.

Special Update: The annular solar eclipse in the western United States is really generating a lot of interest. The Australian eclipse should be amazing.

Regarding the Total Solar Eclipse on November 14, 2012

Very few people have the opportunity to view a total solar eclipse as the shadow only covers a very small area of the Earth and you must be in a limited zone to see the moon cover the entire face of the sun. Seeing a total eclipse is perhaps one of the most spectacular astronomical phenomenons that you will ever see. Being in the right spot is essential, and on November 14, 2012 the easiest spot to view the total eclipse will be in Cairns, Far North Queensland, Australia. Cairns is surrounded by World Heritage Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef. As a premier destination, Cairns is the perfect base to explore what the region has to offer. The Region has been planning for an influx of 50,000 or more visitors and a number of events have been organised around the eclipse. The region is in an excellent position to host this number of people because of the diverse range of tourist accommodation options available for visitors. As well as being able to witness the eclipse, visitors can take part in the region's first international marathon along the sparkling Coral Sea coastline near Port Douglas and celebrate with culture, music and arts at the 2012 Total Solar Eclipse Festival. However if you are planning to visit Cairns for the Eclipse our advise is to book your accommodation early. We look forward to welcoming you to the Cairns region in 2012.

Mayor Val Schier

Cairns Regional Council

This eclipse starts at 22:44, Universal Time. Queensland is 10 hours ahead of Universal Time. It will therefore occur on

November 14 at the following local Queensland times:

Duration of Totality: 2m01.3s

Start of partial eclipse : 5:44:44.5

Start of total eclipse : 6:38:33.9

Maximum eclipse : 6:39:34.4

End of total eclipse : 6:40:35.2

End of partial eclipse : 7:40:23.2

Click on the map of Australia to bring up the NASA eclipse interactive application.