The science behind a solar eclipse
Are you traveling to Australia especially to watch the solar eclipse? Share your experience with us.
A total solar eclipse will occur over the northeastern Australian coast early in the morning of November 14 local time. Clueless about this spectacular astronomical event? No worries, we've got you covered. We're here to explain what causes this remarkable act of nature, what skygazers will see and how those outside of Australia can join in the experience.
What exactly is a total solar eclipse?
A solar eclipse happens when the moon, as it orbits Earth, passes directly in front of the sun, obscuring its rays and casting a shadow on Earth's surface. Sometimes referred to as a "happy accident of nature," a total solar eclipse occurs when the moon is perfectly aligned with both the sun and Earth, so it appears from our perspective that the sun is completely blocked.
Chasing shadows: How to watch the solar eclipse in style
Are you traveling to Australia especially to watch the solar eclipse? Share your experience with us.
Susie Kalimnios has traveled thousands of miles for two spectacular minutes.
The mother of three from Montauk, New York, is in Australia for what she's hoping will be "the experience of a lifetime."
She has made a pilgrimage to Australia's remote Far North Queensland region to witness a total solar eclipse.
For just a few ethereal minutes on the morning of November 14, the nation's northernmost tip will be plunged in to complete darkness, as the moon aligns precisely between the earth and the sun.
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