The total solar eclipse of November 13 2012 will only be visible in northern Australia and the south Pacific. Although the total eclipse will last just over 4 minutes at maximum, only the beginning of the eclipse occurs over land; still, this will make a fascinating spectacle for Australians.
The total eclipse starts in northern Australia at 20:35:08 UT on November 13, and ends in the south Pacific off South America at 23:48:24 UT on November 13. The maximum eclipse is at 22:11:48 UT on November 13, when the total phase will last just over 4 minutes. The partial eclipse will be visible over much of Australia, all of New Zealand and the south Pacific between 19:37:58 UT on November 13 and 00:45:34 UT on November 14.
More information on this eclipse may be found at Fred Espenak's site. You can plot the eclipse for yourself using the table of mapping co-ordinates.
The following map shows the path of the total eclipse. Please note that these maps are approximate. Check with reliable sources before making travel plans.
This map shows the path of the total eclipse:
The path of the total eclipse begins close to Tor Rock in Arnhem Land, where the total eclipse will already last for 1 minute 40 seconds, and be visible over a path 126 km wide. The eclipse then moves off southeast, crossing Arnhem Land and entering the Gulf of Carpentaria; the centreline hits the coast at about Cape Grey. It hits land again close to Wallaby Island, and moves on towards Cairns, with the centreline hitting the coast between Cairns and Port Douglas at 20:39 UT. At this point the eclipse duration is up to 2 minutes and 4 seconds on the centreline, and the path of totality is 143 km wide.
After that, the path of totality crosses the offshore reefs, passes north of New Zealand (bad luck!), and heads off over the Pacific, finishing just before it reaches South America.
|
Copyright (C) 1995-2005 Ian Cameron Smith.
|
