Solar Eclipse Cairns 14 Nov 2012 trip

[Analog6]

I know it is a LONG way off, but trust me, accommodation will be hard to find. Some places I have looked at are booked out already.

Anyone interested in coming to this event? I have put it on 2 photo forums, Australian Photography (http://www.ausphotography.net.au/)and Light Photo Art (http://www.lightartforum.com/index.php?action=forum), but thought there might be interested folk here too. Totality is 2mins+ at sunrise (0544 local time), plenty of time for photos, and of course the full eclipse (including partial phases) is a few hours. Link to details (http://rses.anu.edu.au/~jcali/eclipses/PLANNING/TSE2012p/path.html)
As you all know, an eclipse is a not to be missed event and it is right here in our own state (well, almost for me!). The annular in WA in 1999 was really thrilling, and in 2002 I drove from Canberra to SA in 28 hours for 30 secs of totality. And it was worth it. With this one in such a beautiful setting, and I've never been up there, it should be a real stunner.

I have made an enquiry on a boathouse cotttage at Oak Beach that accommodates 8, cost is $435 per night for a 5 night minimum stay, so divided by 8 that's $272 each. Also another venue at Clifton BEach that is a little collection of 1-3 bedroom cottages, quite reasonable tariff round $110 per night .

I'm looking at other accommodations as well. Please poke your telescope/lens up soon if you are interested.

[Inmykombi]

I am interested in going for a few days at least...maybe a week.

I would opt for the cheaper accommmodation.
Lets try and pool some money for the trip, and not miss this event.

I have never seen a " Total " and I want to desperately.

[glenc]

We have booked at the Mt Carbine caravan park. http://www.mtcarbine.com/
We had a look along the 2012 center line last year.

[Inmykombi]

Thx for that.... I'll look into that place.
The prices look good too.

Cheers

[AlexN]

I'll definitely be there.. The moon should be rising by about 2am the morning of the 14th.... Good opportunity to image some of the targets that are just a whisker too low to the north...

[Rob_K]

Nope Alex, it's an eclipse - New Moon! You'll have all night! :thumbsup:

Cheers -

[AlexN]

Damn starry night and its failures!! (I hope I set the date right in starry night.. otherwise I'll look like a real fool. :P :eek:)

[jjjnettie]

:lol: Geoff and I have been talking about this.
I'm up for it. Share accommodation is a good. Just so long as there is room for all our scopes and stuff.
Is there a prerequisite, no snorers allowed??:lol:

[Analog6]

The Boathouse is off, too expensive. Update below. I looked at Mt Carbine but they are almost fully booked, only one cabin and camping spots left.

The place I think might be the best alternative is http://www.kurandarainforestpark.com.au/. Here is the copy of their email to me, a very reasonable one night's booking fee is asked.

"We have various types of accommodation ranging from Single Budget rooms which are $30 per night or $160 per week. Double budget rooms for two to four people, which are $55 per night for two people,$67 for three people, or $79 for four people.You also receive a discount if you book for a week.With the Budget rooms, you share the kitchen and bathroom facilities.
We have cabins and poolside units which are $90 per night for two people, any extra adults that the accommodation can have are $12 each per night.You also receive one night free if you book for the week.All our cabins and units are fully self contained with air conditioning.
To secure any accommodation, we require one nights non refundable deposit per accommodation booked."

This place sounds really good and the rates are, I think, very affordable. Kuranda is in the path but slightly south of the centre line, so we won't see a perfectly even corona or as many of the northern edge Bailey's Beads. Of course, we can always drive to a spot right on the centre line but the roads do not, apparently, have pull off spots.

Would anyone who wants to definitely book please let me know ASAP, either via this thread or by PM or email. My email contact is allowed under my Profile.

Of course, you can just do your own thing if you want, but I thought it would be good to get a group together. I am trying to get an eclipse 'expert' from my solar eclipse mailing list (on yahoo) and we could have a talk on it beforehand. I will bring my DVD of 'Chasing the Shadow' to whet our appetites.

Please let me know ASAP.

edited to add: I have also found this lovely site, which is a better spot, closer to the centreline and nearer the beach, but is under new management from February next year, so I cannot make enquiries until then.

http://www.glengarrypark.com.au/

[CoombellKid]

This all sounds good!!! you can probably count me in and maybe one
more for the shared accommodation. Will let you know in the next week
or so. In anycase we will be following this thread. Near the beach sound
real peachy. Probably wont be taking any scope gear except maybe my
PST. I'd rather camera gear... is there any filters I should think about.
I'll probably have my canon 450D on a tripod with a telephoto lens.

cheers,CS

[CoombellKid]

Glen do you have a map of where the path of the eclipse will run?

Cheers,CS

[glenc]

Rob zoom into Qld on this map http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEgoogle/SEgoogle2001/SE2012Nov13Tgoogle.html
The road through Mt Carbine is parallel to the eclipse line.

[Analog6]

Rob, you will need solar filters for the non total phases. I have a sheet of the stuff I bought somewhere in this mess I call a house, hopefully I can find it by 2012!

[jjjnettie]

I've been told by those who know, that for a first eclipse, just sit back, relax, and take it all in.
Don't waste time fiddling with scopes and cameras.
Enjoy the experience.
but..........
I think I'll take along my Mini Tower and the ed80. I'd love to get some up close and personal views.

[CoombellKid]

I will be just snapping off a few at totality. Wide field stuff so wont be
much fiddling more enjoying while snapping a few off with the remote.
So I'm after more corona type shots, so you dont need any special
filters for that?

I have solar film filters for my 20x80's hmmmm maybe take them up too.

Hey Glen,

You didn't happen to check out Oak Beach just south of Port Douglas?
Thinking it might be a good spot to observe from.

Cheers,CS

[CoombellKid]

Thanks for the input from all!!! this is going to be an awesome event.

Cheers,CS

[jjjnettie]

I bought a new sheet of baader film last Astrofest. Might make up some sunnies as well, using an old pair of 3d glasses.

[CoombellKid]

I was in the newsagents the other day and noticed a mag in the space
section that had 3d images from hubble, mars rovers...etc..etc... and
came with a pair of 3d glasses. It had Brian May of Queen fame doing
the intro write up.

Cheers,CS

[Liz]

Obviously a few of us from Townsville will head up the track to Cairns :)
We talked about it during the year, and will be great.
Its still quite a way off .... 34 months or so if my math is right, so we wont book our accom for awhile, there is a bit around up there.
There are lots of little beach sites north and south of Cairns which would be great. Havent heard of Oak Beach, Rob, but could be a thought.
Am not a Cairns person, tho have been up a few times, but will sift around for info this year.
Hmmm ... so looks like I will hav eto get a sheet of Baader film, woohoo.

[glenc]

I took these pictures at Oak Beach last year.
http://picasaweb.google.com.au/cozens3/Qld2008?authkey=Gv1sRgCJ35qvjEocvvD A#5245660772616170162
http://picasaweb.google.com.au/cozens3/Qld2008?authkey=Gv1sRgCJ35qvjEocvvD A#5245660830719763794
Look out for the crocs and marine stingers
http://picasaweb.google.com.au/cozens3/Qld2008?authkey=Gv1sRgCJ35qvjEocvvD A#5245660718578841138
http://picasaweb.google.com.au/cozens3/Qld2008?authkey=Gv1sRgCJ35qvjEocvvD A#5245660648757893842
also two at Yule Point
http://picasaweb.google.com.au/cozens3/Qld2008?authkey=Gv1sRgCJ35qvjEocvvD A#5245660583934358882
http://picasaweb.google.com.au/cozens3/Qld2008?authkey=Gv1sRgCJ35qvjEocvvD A#5245660535563508370
and one at Rex lookout
http://picasaweb.google.com.au/cozens3/Qld2008?authkey=Gv1sRgCJ35qvjEocvvD A#5245660486789696514
and two at Bob's lookout which is inland from Mt Carbine
http://picasaweb.google.com.au/cozens3/Qld2008?authkey=Gv1sRgCJ35qvjEocvvD A#5245662048265104178
http://picasaweb.google.com.au/cozens3/Qld2008?authkey=Gv1sRgCJ35qvjEocvvD A#5245662113001418354

[CoombellKid]

Glen,

That was going to be my next Q: Croc's :whistle:

Are you planning on observing from Mt Carbine?

Cheers,CS

[glenc]

If it's fine I will observe from Mt Carbine but I might have to drive east or west to find a hole in the clouds.

[glenc]

This map shows Rex Lookout, Oak Beach and Yule Point. http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/register/p01159ar.pdf

[CoombellKid]

How are you traveling up there.... car? fly and get renta car?

Maybe you have a good point go inland a few kms so you can travel east/west if needed.

Cheers,CS

[Arthur Alchin]

Is that "The last solar eclipse" that mankind will see????? Dec 2012 is the end of mankind as we know it according to the Mayans. Something like: Ka-BOOM (or similar) :-)

[HolyWars]

Am considering going....it would be a good birthday present afterall 14/11/85 ;)

[circumpolar]

Rex Lookout look nice. Good elevation so you can see the shadow coming across the ocean.
Looks like there is not much parking at the site though. Maybe about 50 cars:shrug:.
Google Earth lat/long.
copy/paste: 16.64636S, 145.56561E

[glenc]

Will the shadow come across the ocean?

[CoombellKid]

The Mayan's never made that prediction.

Cheers,CS

[Analog6]

Liz, as I said in one of my earlier posts, many places are booked out already. Mt Carbine has only one cabin left for the eclipse. The first place I wanted is totally booked by a tour group from Japan.

Re Oak Beach - that is why initially I hoped the boathouse place would be OK, it is right on the centre line. But, bear in mind that high tide will be about an hour after the eclipse, at 2.8m on Oak Beach, so it will be up pretty high for the eclipse. The water comes right up and covers the beach, apparently.

Joe Cali did a site survey (link here (http://rses.anu.edu.au/~jcali/eclipses/PLANNING/TSE2012p/TSE2012p.html) and in my original post) and says the road is narrow, there are not many pull off spots and it will be high tide. This has been confirmed on the SEML (Solar eclipse mailing list on yahoo) email list I am on.

I wanted to get a group together so we could pool knowledge. Can anyone who definitely want to be notified of arrangements (which I am doing by email) PM or email me (email is enabled) and I will add you to the list. Obviously nothing much will happen until closer to the date but I will update in February once I manage to contact the van park just north of the centre line.

I'm really excited, this will be my 3rd and longest yet total eclipse, really keen to get some good photos.

[jjjnettie]

They've been taking booking for a year or so now.

[mswhin63]

I am frantic now trying to organise the care of our kids before I make some bookings. It would be the first eclipse I have seen since I was in primary school.

[Octane]

Odille,

Count me in, please.

Regards,
Humayun

[circumpolar]

What I ment is you'll see the landscape darkening in the distance quite dramaticly near totality. I've seen documentaries showing this.
Elevation helps if you can get it.

[SteveInNZ]

It looks to me as though the bigger issue will be securing a suitable viewing site. Totality is just 14 degrees above the horizon and the partial phases lower than that. I really don't want something or someone blocking my camera at crunch time.
It's likely that the accessible viewing sites will be occupied from the night before and the morning of the eclipse isn't a good time to be searching for a new site. IMHO, somewhere to sleep is secondary to somewhere to view from.

Steve.

[glenc]

I think the shadow will come overland from the west.

[Shep]

I've never seen a solar eclipse before and im still really green with astronomy so I have a question about the centre line of this. Will the viewing be considerably better from the centre line or will it be the same within the radius?

[that_guy]

by 2012, i hope i can drive and have a license to go up to cairns... and hopefully have a car...;);) :thumbsup:

[glenc]

Sarah, you get more time on the center line, 2 mins 8 secs on the Qld coast.
Near the edge you get about 30 secs. Cairns will get 2m 4s.

[Liz]

Some info from http://www.nas.org.au/2012_total_solar_eclipse.htm
Will be a nice early start for us ;)

The path of the total eclipse begins close to Tor Rock in Arnhem Land, where the total eclipse will already last for 1 minute 40 seconds, and be visible over a path 126 km wide. The eclipse then moves off southeast, crossing Arnhem Land and entering the Gulf of Carpentaria; the centreline hits the coast at about Cape Grey. It hits land again close to Wallaby Island, and moves on towards Cairns, with the centreline hitting the coast between Cairns and Port Douglas at 20:39 UT. At this point the eclipse duration is about 2 minutes and 4 seconds on the centreline, and the path of totality is 143 km wide. The eclipse - which will last two minutes - will occur just after sunrise at 6.39am after which it will move out across unpopulated areas of the South Pacific.
The projected sunrise for Cairns on 13 November 2012 is a little before 5 am
Below are links showing the path...
Path of totality (http://www.nas.org.au/2012eclipse.gif)
http://xjubier.free.fr/en/site_pages/solar_eclipses/TSE_2012_GoogleMapFull.html (http://xjubier.free.fr/en/site_pages/solar_eclipses/TSE_2012_GoogleMapFull.html)
http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEgoogle/SEgoogle2001/SE2012Nov13Tgoogle.html (http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEgoogle/SEgoogle2001/SE2012Nov13Tgoogle.html)
http://www.shindles.co.uk/eclipse2012t/index.htm (http://www.shindles.co.uk/eclipse2012t/index.htm)
site showing weather for the area ...
http://eclipser.ca/ (http://eclipser.ca/?http://eclipser.ca/)

[mswhin63]

The timing is UTC 13 November. Is that +10hrs in QLD or what?

[glenc]

The total phase starts in Cairns at 20:38 UT on 13/11, that is 6:38 am on 14/11 Qld time.

[Paul Haese]

I would just like to make a few points here. Being a veteran of two total eclipses these are things newbies should be aware of:

Buy good solar shades, don't buy cheap ones.

Use a hat and sun block.

If you have never seen a total before, don't bother using a camera until the end of the eclipse and try for the diamond ring.

Do not look at the sun after 2 seconds of the diamond ring at the end of totality. You will be causing damage lookng longer.

Be prepared for cloud. It is a good chance that cloud will be about on that morning. If it is clouded over don't be too disappointed. There are other eclipses to chase.

Enjoy the big show.

As for accommodation I will be staying with friends up there. Best of luck with bookings.

[Shep]

It is also cyclone season so fingers crossed in that regard as well! When you say don't look at the sun after 2sec of the diamond ring you mean without special glasses right? With the glasses is it safe to look at it still?

And just to clarify the only difference between watching from my house or from the centreline would be that ir lasts 4 seconds more at the centreline but otherwise looks exactly the same?

Another question...whats the difference between a total eclipse and an annular one, the best I can make out from reading on the net is that an annular you still get a ring around it but don't you still get those with a total as well? I'm confused...

[glenc]

It is safe after the total phase with proper solar filters.
There might be more cloud in Cairns and at other places near the coast.
A total eclipse is better because the Moon blocks the Sun fully.
When the Moon is further from us it does not cover the Sun fully and you get an annular eclipse.

[Paul Haese]

Yes you can look with solar shades (correctly filtered solar shades).

It will look the same so long as you are in the track of totality it should just be 4 seconds shorter.

As stated annular is where the geometry of the Sun/moon/Earth is such that the moon does not cover the face of the sun and leaves an annulus. This is not safe to look at naked eye. Only a total eclipse is safe to view naked eye.

[Shep]

I meant to post this up for any other newbies who have had trouble understanding exactly what the difference is between a total and annular. I didn't do myself any favours for sounding smart (:P) asking what the difference was between them when they both looked to have rings around them (in the pictures I saw anyway). BUT I read something that explained it great for me and I get it now - an annular takes place when the moon is at its furthest point on it's orbit making its apparent diameter appear smaller than the sun and causing an annulus around the moon.

[southerncross]

Hey Guys/Girls have you checked out Kewarra beach resort on Cairns northern beaches http://www.kewarra.com/. I live right next door. Two bedroom bungalow for four people $626 a night and still plenty of spaces for that time period.

[glenc]

This page is good for planning. http://rses.anu.edu.au/~jcali/eclipses/PLANNING/TSE2012p/TSE2012p.html (http://rses.anu.edu.au/%7Ejcali/eclipses/PLANNING/TSE2012p/TSE2012p.html)
also http://www.aaq.org.au/cms/index.php/member-services/documents/doc_download/154-total-eclipse-2012-factsheet.html

[SteveInNZ]

Might be a bit rich for me, but would you like some visitors one morning in November, 2012 ? ;)

Steve.

[erick]

Yes, shadow "touchdown" is somewhere northwest of Kakadu.

http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEgoogle/SEgoogle2001/SE2012Nov13Tgoogle.html

[erick]

See you there Glen. Based on reports of your earlier scouting, we booked in there some months ago. No cameras for me - my first total, so I'm just going to look. :)

[glenc]

This will be my 5th eclipse. My first was Port Moresby, PNG 1983, then Kona, Hawaii 1991, Woomera, SA 2002 and Side, Turkey 2006.
Kona was cloudy, the rest were clear.

[Liz]

... what the ..... no cameras :scared:
I saw an eclipse in Victoria many moons ago when I was at school, but dont remembr too much of it, so this will be great. But, I will definitely have my camera.



Wow, thats wonderful Glen!! Which was the best one?
You can console us when we dont see the Sun due to the cloudcover that will possibly be there ;)

[glenc]

The first one (PNG) was the best. The electric pink prominences were fantastic through my K-Mart 4.5" reflector.
Woomera was too short, the Sun was low in the sky, and the prominences were greenish. I used 20x80s at Side so didn't see it as well as PNG.
I'll take my 10" Dob to Qld.

[JethroB76]

So would a beach spot be best for the actual eclipse or some higher ground?:shrug:

[glenc]

I am going inland because there is a road running parallel to the eclipse, if it is cloudy in one place I can drive east or west to try and find clear sky.
You can also drive north or south along the coast to find clear skies but that might make the eclipse shorter.

[Paul Haese]

The beach will give an unobstructed view for sure and steadier seeing. Being North Queensland and at the start of the wet season it is likely to be cloudy all the way inland too on the day. It is just a pot luck event.

[seeker372011]

I am wondering if Green Island would be worse or better than coastal sites

[Paul Haese]

Is there over night stays there now. When I lived in Cairns it was a morning trip. It would certainly be better due to cloud reduction near the coast, but the island might well be packed to the brim.

[Shep]

Yeah there's a resort there now but it's pretty pricey!!!!! Definitely not budget prices like over on Fitzroy.

[jjjnettie]

It would be good to find a place at Oak Beach just to the north of where the eclipse crosses the coast line.

[Paul Haese]

Thanks Sarah.

JJJ that is called the center line. That is where I am gonna be at Oak Beach.

[jjjnettie]

LOLOL yep, that's it. Center line.

[Wavytone]

Decide what you want to see most because the centreline isn't necessarily the best place to be.

If you want the longest totality = centreline.

But if you want a good lengthy look at the chromosphere or beads, near the edge of the path on one side or the other is better.

[duncan]

AS A LOCAL OF THE AREA= HOPE IT AINT RAINING.LOL!!!!!!!!!!!



AND I MEAN IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:thumb sup:

[Paul Haese]

Wavy, you'll still see bailey's beads at the center line and the eclipse will last longer. Going to the outer edge is just going to shorten you duration but a significant margin. Why deny yourself? After two totals I can say duration is what one wants.

[SteveInNZ]

After my two totals, I can say what one wants is no clouds.

Steve.

[ngcles]

Hi All,

I'll be there and am now booked in to go on the Sutherland Astronomical Society tour. I'll be observing from the beach -- as Paul said better seeing and unobstucted horizon ... and the beach in our case is a matter of a few steps from the apartment where we'll be staying. I think we're only 7 km's from the centreline at Trinity Beach.

If you want accomodation I'd suggest you get in pretty quickly. My info is that a substantial majority of the hotel/motel/apartment stuff is already full.

The weather prospects for this one aren't as good as one could possibly hope for. There is a good chance of morning cloud. Having said that, like Paul, I'm a bona-fide "miracle eclipse" chaser and wouldn't miss the opportunity for quids.

This eclipse is in the same series (two eclipses later) from the first eclipse I chased (unsuccessful -- clouded out) in October 1976 when I was 14. We observed from Bombala then and were obviously too close to the Victorian border. ;)

This one in 2012 will be my 4th "experienced" and fingers crossed, 3rd "observed".

Look forward to seeing you all up there and it'll be one heck of a party that night if it comes off.


Best,

Les D

[Shep]

:question: As a local I can pretty much guarantee Trinity Beach is further than 5 km from Oak Beach which is the centreline. I'm not sure what the exact distance is as the crow flys but its def gotta be further than that. Sorry though.

[ngcles]

Hi Sarah,



You're right about the distance from Oak to Trinity along the coast -- no doubt about that at all. But, the distance from northern Trinity Beach (almost Keewara) to the closest point on the actual centre line (out in the Ocean) is somewhat less because of the angle the centereline makes with the coast.

I originally guesstimated 5km and then edited to 7 (see above). Using the map more carefully, I'd now say it is probably 8 - 8.5km. I'm about 90-95% of the way to the centreline from the southern limit that crosses the coast at Innisfall. The difference in umbral time between my location and Oak Beach will be in the order of 5 seconds shorter. Instead of being 2mins 10 sec, it'll be about 2:03 - 2:05.

In return, I get a a 30 second-odd stroll to where I'm going to observe and I can, should I wish, simply observe from the balcony of the apartment we're staying at ...


Best,

Les D

[Shep]

It all gets very technical! I thought I'd say incase someone had been telling you porkies about the distances but you know what your doing! I'll be watching it from the beach just a little further south from you but for the same comfort options of being able to watch it just a short walk from where i'm snoozing! :thumbsup:

[Analog6]

An update:

I have heard back from the Glengarry caravan park new owners and it does sound ideal. SO far they have no bookings at all, but they just took over.

This site is just north of the centreline, at Mowbray - zoom on the NASA eclipse map ( http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEgoogle/SEgoogle2001/SE2012Nov13Tgoogle.html - Lat.: 16.5554° S; Long.: 145.473° E; Duration of Totality: 2m04.8s; Magnitude: 1.018).

Attached are the prices, which are current, we can obviously expect a rise by 2012. They require a booking fee of 2 nights accommodation, and there is something for everyone - link to accommodation type page here.

Please consider if you want to come and let me know. If there is sufficient interest I will email them and say we have folk interested and any bookings will be made with a code of some sort, maybe AP group (I started this there, and now have 3 forums and my SEML involved), so we can all be as close together as the different types of accommodation permit.

Make the decision now and be prepared to pay a deposit now - I am sure this place will fill up fast now they are open for bookings again.

[that_guy]

by the time this happens, I hope I can Drive!! ;) or I could just take an aeroplane. :D

[h0ughy]

thanks for that huge tip:thumbsup:

[h0ughy]

Well I am not risking it – I have just booked my accommodation from the 11th through until the 14th (ie leaving ). I have a villa cabin booked at the Glengarry Holiday Park

[erick]

There will be a number of us spread around the coast and hinterland. Perhaps a get-together the evening after the eclipse?? Or a prior evening - not the night before.

[Liz]

Totally agree Eric!! Will be a great chance to catch up over this event.
Eiher 2 nights before, or the night of. Will love catching up with all your southerns!! ;)

[zardos123]

mike suggested i link here
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=90581
regards brad

[iceman]

Wrong thread Brad. :)
I'd post in this one: http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=57113