Next Total Solar Eclipse in Australia: When and Where to See It
Australia's next total solar eclipse will bring a rare celestial spectacle, with the path of totality crossing parts of the country, including Sydney.
A rare total solar eclipse will grace Australian skies on July 22, 2028, offering the continent a unique celestial spectacle. Dubbed the Great Australasian Eclipse, this event will traverse a considerable portion of Australia, with the path of totality beginning in the Kimberley region of northern Western Australia. It will then journey across the Northern Territory, southwestern Queensland, and New South Wales, culminating in Sydney.
Total solar eclipses are infrequent worldwide and even rarer in Australia, having been witnessed only five times in the past 50 years. The upcoming eclipse marks a significant opportunity for Sydney, which has not experienced a total solar eclipse since 1857. In fact, the next total solar eclipse visible from Sydney after 2028 won't occur until June 3, 2858.
The 2028 eclipse will be visible from various Australian cities, including Perth, Darwin, Hobart, and Canberra. Observers within the path of totality will witness the Moon completely covering the Sun for several minutes, around 11 a.m. Australian Western Standard Time in the Kimberley and 2 p.m. Australian Eastern Standard Time in Sydney. The total eclipse will last approximately four minutes.
During totality, the sky darkens, and the Sun's outer atmosphere, the corona, becomes visible around the Moon. For those outside the path of totality, the eclipse will appear as a partial solar eclipse, with the Moon obscuring only part of the Sun.
Safety precautions are crucial when observing a solar eclipse. Looking directly at the Sun without proper protection can lead to severe and permanent eye damage. Astronomers and enthusiasts are advised to use appropriate solar viewing equipment to safely witness this remarkable astronomical event.
Written by urgent.news from Tempo.co English's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
