Introduction
A total solar eclipse will be visible from Australia on Wednesday December 4th 2002. This is the first
total solar eclipse visible from Australia since 23rd October 1976. The next will be the 13th of November 2012, visible
from far north Queensland.
On the Internet
some links for live viewing:
CSIRO Australia
Centreline
The narrow centreline of totality passes through Africa (Angola, Zambia, Namibia, Zimbabwe,
Botswana, Mozambique) the Indian Ocean, then Southern Australia and into a small portion of Queensland and New
South Wales. A partial eclipse will be seen over much of Africa and Australia.
World Visibility
The following graphic shows the path of the eclipse:
Australia Visibility
The following graphics show the path of the eclipse over Australia:
Map of Ceduna:
Map of Woomera:
Map of Lyndhurst:
Map of Tickalara:
Recommended Viewing
The best prospects for Australian observing would have to be near Ceduna. This is due to the increased duration (32 seconds), and access
to local amenities. Lyndhurst is the only other major town on the centerline (26 seconds).
Local Circumstances at Ceduna
The eclipse path at Ceduna is 36.3kms wide, with the centreline 1.5kms north of the towns post office. Ceduna is at 32.126 S, 133.675E.
The following times are in Australian Central Summer Time (which is UT + 10.5 hours)
Circumstance | Time | Suns Altitude (deg) |
First Contact | 18:40.15 | 20.8 |
Second Contact | 19:40.10 | 8.7 |
Maximum | 19:40.26 | 8.6 |
Third Contact | 19:40.42 | 8.6 |
Sunset | 20:29 | 0 |
Last Contact | 20:35.13 | -1.9 |
Weather Prospects
Temperatures of over 40 degrees C are possible.
Weather Underground - Ceduna
Bureau of Meteorology
Climate Averages for Ceduna - 26.6 avg Dec Max, 14.1 min, 15.1mm rain
During the Eclipse
Star Charts from Skymap showing the sky at Ceduna at Maximum Eclipse:
North -
East -
South -
West -
Zenith -
Horizon
Getting There
Ceduna is located 1964 km from Perth, 470 km from Port Augusta and 781 km northwest of Adelaide on the Eyre Highway.
Kendell Airlines operates daily services to Ceduna (except Saturday).
Premier Coach and Greyhound have Bus services.
Accommodation at Ceduna
6 Caravan Parks
4 Motels
2 Hotels
1 Backpackers Hostel
Ceduna Foreshore Hotel/Motel (Best Western)
East West Motel (Flag)
Highway One Motel
Facilities at Ceduna
Doctor, Dentist, 3 Supermarkets, ANZ Bank, State Bank of SA, Commenwealth Bank Agent, Post Office,
Numerous Cafe's, Pizza, Fish and Chips etc
Ceduna Street Map from Wilkins Tourist Maps.
My Plans
I've got two weeks off work and have organised three other people to come with me. We are
hiring a Britz Explorer Campervan
and driving across from Perth. We will be taking our time any enjoying
the journey along the way. At Ceduna we have secured a powered site at the Ceduna Foreshore
Caravan Park.
Links
Astronomical Society of South Australia
Syzygy in Ceduna
South Australia Central
Tourism Eyre Peninsula
NASA Eclipse Guide
Acknowledgements
"Eclipse predictions (maps) courtesy of Fred Espenak, NASA/GSFC"