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Solar eclipse facts

 
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A Solar Eclipse

A solar eclipse occurs when the moon partly or fully covers the face of the Sun as seen from the Earth. The solar eclipse in November 2012 is a total solar eclipse, which means that the Sun for a period of time is fully covered by the Moon if you are in the right location to view it.

One such location is Port Douglas in Queensland, Australia. Located 70km (40 miles) north of Cairns, the town is perfectly situated to view the eclipse in its totality which will occur at 6:38am on 14 November 2012 (East Australian Standard Time). The total eclipse phase will last approximately two minutes during which time the sun will be totally covered by the moon.

As the rays of the Sun re-emerge from behind the Moon, the runners in The Solar Eclipse Marathon will start the 42.195km course around the Port Douglas area. Check out the marathon route.

Some interesting facts:

  • The total solar eclipse on 14 November 2012 is only visible along a narrow strip of land (approximately 200km wide) in Northern Australia and the Pacific Ocean.
  • Viewed from Four Mile Beach in Port Douglas, the phase of totality (when the Moon fully covers the Sun) will start at 6:38:04am and end at 6:40:09am.
  • Viewed from the same location, the partial eclipse (when the Moon partially covers the Sun) will start at 5:44:27am and end at 7:39:42am. The Sun rises in Port Douglas at 5:35am.
  • The 2012 eclipse is the first of no less than six total eclipses visible from Australia in the next 30 years. The following five will occur in 2023, 2028, 2030, 2037 and 2038. Have a look here.
     
 
 
 
 
 

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The Solar Eclipse Marathon - the experience of a lifetime

 
 

 
 

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