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Total Solar Eclipse 22 July 2028

Visibility Across Australia

The path of totality passes over many towns along a NW-SE path right across Australia, from Wyndham in WA to Sydney in NSW. All of Australia and New Zealand outside the path of totality will be able to experience a partial eclipse.

Times

For Sydney and Central Coast NSW, the partial phase begins at about 12.40pm, Sydney time. Totality occurs shortly before 2pm and will last more than 3 minutes from most locations in Australia that are in the path of totality.

Exact times and duration of totality for your observing location should be checked on a reliable website. Times are generally quoted in Universal Time (UT). Don't forget that, to convert from UT to NSW time, add ten hours (when there is no daylight saving, as will be the case in July). 

Links to Information and Maps

Links to help you find your local information:

ASA Eclipse - Countdown to Totality (Astronomical Society of Australia): https://eclipse.asa.astronomy.org.au/

EclipseWise.com: https://www.eclipsewise.com/solar/solar.html

Xavier Hubier: http://xjubier.free.fr/en/site_pages/solar_eclipses/TSE_20280722_pg01.html

Eclipse Safety

  1. NEVER look directly at the Sun. 
  2. PLEASE take the time to learn how to observe an eclipse safely.
  3. ALWAYS use safe observing methods: Eclipse shades, the projection method, and full-aperture solar filters are safe but, if using eclipse shades or solar filters, inspect for damage before EVERY use. 
  4. DO NOT RISK PERMANENT EYE DAMAGE! Sunglasses, welding goggles and sooty glass DO NOT provide adequate safety, and may allow you to burn your retina. It only takes a moment to damage your retina and cause blindness. Retinal burns are painless (you don't feel it happening), permanent and irreversible (it is not possible to repair or replace the retina).
  5. NEVER leave optical instruments unattended during any solar observing activity. 
  6. IF, after reading the links below, you are still unsure about how to observe the eclipse safely, join an organised observing session or seek advice from your local astronomical club or society. 

Direct observation with unprotected eyes is ONLY safe during totality, not during any stage of the partial phases.

Links to information about safety and safe observing methods

Astronomical Association of Queensland: https://eclipse.aaq.org.au/eye-safety

NASA - Eclipses: https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/

American Astronomical Society - Pinhole and Optical Projection: https://eclipse.aas.org/eye-safety/projection

Information prepared for the 2004 and 2012 Transits of Venus is also applicable: https://www.starrylady.com/Safely%20Observing%20the%20Transit%20of%20Venus.pdf

Wiruna Arrangements

ASNSW members should note that many members and committee members will be choosing their own observing locations or will simply watch from their homes. Therefore, if you wish to observe from Wiruna, it will be critical to book well in advance to ensure that there will be an accredited member on site to handle the practical aspects of your visit (unlocking the site and buildings, turning on amenities, etc.).