2012 eclipse information and schedule by Mark Sukhija

By: Mark Sukhija

The next total solar eclipse will be on the 14th November 2012. (N.B. Greatest eclipse is at 22:11:48 Tuesday November 13, 2012 GMT which is converts to 08:11:48 Wednesday November 14, 2012 Queensland time - this eclipse crosses the international date line and, consequently, covers two days) The point of greatest eclipse will be in an area of the South Pacific in which there is no discernable land mass close to the centre line. Our eclipse plan and schedule is briefly outlined below. Major urban centres along the Eastern Seaboard of Queensland - more specifically around Cairns provide the best oppurtunities of viewing the eclipse from on land. Port Douglas is best avoided if you want to view all the eclipse - as Port Douglas have planned a marathon which, stupidly, begins at the end of totality and goes on through the second partial phases.

Current eclipse plans

Essentially, the eclipse trip will be made up of two parts: one based in Brisbane and an eclipse cruise. Roughly our schedule will be as follows:

From Brisbane In Brisbane , I'll be attneding the first day of the Australia / South Africa Test Match at The Gabba - one of the most famous sporting venues in the world! When based in Brisbane , I'll be visiting the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary and a visit to the Brisbane Planetarium . Lunch will be at Mt Cootha and get orientated with the city of Brisbane itself. The trip will also take us to the Gold Coast - stopping en-route at Movie World. Most likely, we'll also visit Surfers Paradise
The Cruise: During the 7-day cruise we will visit the Whitsunday Islands, Airlie Beach, Yorkeys Knob (a well known promontroy at the end of a white beech) Of course, the cruise will include the total solar eclipse itself. After the eclipse, we will have a full day cruising back to Brisbane - which will include passing the Willis Islands.