Total Solar Eclipse - Page 3

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #41 09-03-2007, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glenc

The last 6 total solar eclipses in Australia were:
9/5/1910 Tas
29/4/1911 NSW/Vic at sunrise.
21/9/1922 from WA to NSW
http://sunearth.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclips...1922Sep21T.GIF
20/6/1974 SW tip of WA
23/10/1976 SA/Vic
http://sunearth.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclips...976google.html
4/12/2002 SA at sunset
Next one is:
14/11/2012 NT/Qld at sunrise. (Cairns)
http://sunearth.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclips...012google.html

That's wierd Glen, coz I can remember the one from Sydney back some time between '64 -'70. Even our teachers made a big event out of it.

Oh well, maybe my memory ain't as good as I thought

glenc (Glen) · #42 09-03-2007, 04:09 PM

There are some partial eclipses between 64 & 70 on:
10/6/64, 23/11/65, 18/3/69 & 1/9/70.

mickoking · #43 09-03-2007, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fringe_dweller

I'm a little concerned about the Chinese eclipses when viewed from densely populated industrial area's, I have seen seen some dramatic pics of the air pollution in/over china recently, will this be an issue for visual observations??

The 2008 eclipse is in the west of China which is desert with little air pollution. The 2009 eclipse, the biggie, will pass thru some huge chinese Mega cities like Chongqing and Shanghai but it is just a matter of getting away from the urban areas.

glenc (Glen) · #44 10-03-2007, 04:25 AM

The 2008 eclipse is short and hard to get too. I think air pollution could be a problem in 2009.

mickoking · #45 10-03-2007, 05:14 PM

I think the major problem with the 2009 eclipse will be cloud cover. The best bet would be to view it as close to the east coast of china as possible.

fringe_dweller · #46 11-03-2007, 05:05 PM

Thank you kindly for the inside info Mick

Starkler (Geoff) · #47 11-03-2007, 05:23 PM

I remember the 76 eclispe in Melbourne as a little tacker . I recall being outside as the dusk came and the birds making a racket, and then eerie silence during the totality.

fringe_dweller · #48 11-03-2007, 05:39 PM

yeah ya gotta love natures response Geoff - at the 2002 dec aussie one - we didnt expect to see much in the way of animal/bird life reactions out there - but during totality and out of the small ancient saltbush/bluebush (i have been reliably informed they can be as old as 400 - 500 yrs in age!! oh well let the sheep/cattle graze on it

) came some surprisingly large (they seemed bigger than the bushes they came out of! almost like the bushes came to life and flew about!) and startled birds of some description (dunno what they were- they kinda looked like pheasants from a distance? bush turkeys???)). They flapped around disorientated in circles, like they were drunk!
i failed to mention earlier, another interesting view of you get from short TSE's of the nature of the 2002 south aussie one - read apparent smaller disc size of the moon, it fitted perfect

- you get really nice baileys beads, and the prominences around the sun are visible NE all the way thru :-)))))) that was pretty cool

SMR (Steve) · #49 20-03-2007, 07:13 PM

Hi Mike.

I'm planning my 10th eclipse trip, China next year. Should be fun.

We already have plans underway for the 2012 eclipse in north Qld. Cairns is in the path, but the prospect of clouds in the morning is a bit of a problem. We are planning to head inland a bit to get some altitude. Let me know if you are interested.

But if you can't wait till 2012, how about the Cook Islands in 2010? Or somewhere south of Japan in 2009? Lots of choices.

Steve.

SMR (Steve) · #50 20-03-2007, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mickoking

I think the major problem with the 2009 eclipse will be cloud cover. The best bet would be to view it as close to the east coast of china as possible.

The area around Shanghai is the best land-based choice for 2009. Even so, the chances of cloud are high.

You'll get a bit better chance of clear skies by heading out to sea. Costs a lot more, of course. Even so, chances are it will be cloudy.

It's a real shame. The 2009 eclipse is the longest eclipse since the 1991 monster in Hawaii/Mexico. We'll have to wait until 2027 for the next chance to see that one again.

The good news is that there are four total eclipses in AU between 2028 and 2038. Put them in your diary NOW ... :-)

Steve.

SMR (Steve) · #51 20-03-2007, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glenc

The 2008 eclipse is short and hard to get too. I think air pollution could be a problem in 2009.

Depends what you mean by "short". 2002 in South Aus was short: < 30 seconds. 2008 in western China is nearly 120 seconds. Definitely worth the airfare ...

Steve.

mickoking · #52 20-03-2007, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SMR

The area around Shanghai is the best land-based choice for 2009. Even so, the chances of cloud are high.

You'll get a bit better chance of clear skies by heading out to sea. Costs a lot more, of course. Even so, chances are it will be cloudy.

It's a real shame. The 2009 eclipse is the longest eclipse since the 1991 monster in Hawaii/Mexico. We'll have to wait until 2027 for the next chance to see that one again.

The good news is that there are four total eclipses in AU between 2028 and 2038. Put them in your diary NOW ... :-)

Steve.

I am thinking Shanghai for 2009, But 2008 looks like a ripper. For the 2008 eclipse Hami in Xinjiang province looks the go. On the Silk road it is easily accessible by rail from Xian and Beijing.

SMR (Steve) · #53 20-03-2007, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mickoking

I am thinking Shanghai for 2009, But 2008 looks like a ripper. For the 2008 eclipse Hami in Xinjiang province looks the go. On the Silk road it is easily accessible by rail from Xian and Beijing.

Mick, have you booked a hotel room in Hami yet? If not, you are going to have to pay a US or Euro travel company for a room. They bought them all months ago. Total package prices start at minimum US$3000 ex Beijing for a week, which is robbery.

My group is going to Jiayuguan. The main reason is because it is actually inside the path, and only 150km driving distance from the centreline. Hami is outside the path, and a LOT further to travel (Google Earth it) to get to the two accessible parts of the centreline. Worst case scenario? We can observe the eclipse from the JYG airport. Hami gets a 99% partial eclipse. The choice is a no-brainer.

BTW, all of the remaining JYG hotel rooms were booked out in January by a German and a Japanese travel company. Except for the rooms I booked last year.

Steve.

PS. Want to join my 2010 group?

iceman (Mike) · #54 21-03-2007, 06:58 AM

Excellent info, Steve. I might talk to you about coming with your group to 2012. I'll be trying to bring my family with me though, not sure if that will cramp the group? Will others be bringing families?

SMR (Steve) · #55 22-03-2007, 12:24 AM

Hi Mike

Quote:

Originally Posted by iceman

Excellent info, Steve. I might talk to you about coming with your group to 2012. I'll be trying to bring my family with me though, not sure if that will cramp the group? Will others be bringing families?

My understanding is that we have access to a farm (friend of a friend) in the hinterland. We should be able to cope with a few hundred selected guests. Remind me to get you on the A-list.

Steve.

iceman (Mike) · #56 22-03-2007, 05:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SMR

Hi Mike
My understanding is that we have access to a farm (friend of a friend) in the hinterland. We should be able to cope with a few hundred selected guests. Remind me to get you on the A-list.

Steve.

Soudns good Steve, my name on the door!

I'll start talking to my wife about it then.

How far away from the coast will it be? I'll be keen to check out some local tourist attractions as well, for some terrestrial photography (waterfalls, etc).

White Rabbit · #57 22-03-2007, 10:23 AM

I saw one in about 86 through a pair of welding goggles

when I lived in Munich Germany. I think it was a partial eclipse. It was still a sight to behold.

mickoking · #58 22-03-2007, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SMR

Mick, have you booked a hotel room in Hami yet? If not, you are going to have to pay a US or Euro travel company for a room. They bought them all months ago. Total package prices start at minimum US$3000 ex Beijing for a week, which is robbery.

My group is going to Jiayuguan. The main reason is because it is actually inside the path, and only 150km driving distance from the centreline. Hami is outside the path, and a LOT further to travel (Google Earth it) to get to the two accessible parts of the centreline. Worst case scenario? We can observe the eclipse from the JYG airport. Hami gets a 99% partial eclipse. The choice is a no-brainer.

BTW, all of the remaining JYG hotel rooms were booked out in January by a German and a Japanese travel company. Except for the rooms I booked last year.

Steve.

PS. Want to join my 2010 group?

Thanx for the info Steve, Jiayuguan does sound like a more attractive option. As for accommodation I will either camp or stay with a local.

SMR (Steve) · #59 23-03-2007, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mickoking

Thanx for the info Steve, Jiayuguan does sound like a more attractive option. As for accommodation I will either camp or stay with a local.

Camping? Sounds like a fun idea to me. But I've no idea how easy or hard that will be. Travel in lots of China is still very restricted. I suggest you have a chat with someone with more experience than me to see if camping is even feasible.

JYG has limited support for tourists, though this is being expanded as the popularity of the Silk Road tourist route increases.

Good luck!

Steve.

SMR (Steve) · #60 23-03-2007, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iceman

Sounds good Steve, my name on the door!

I'll start talking to my wife about it then.

How far away from the coast will it be? I'll be keen to check out some local tourist attractions as well, for some terrestrial photography (waterfalls, etc).

Hi Mike.

Sorry if I'm a bit short on details at this stage. As I said, the property belongs to a friend of a friend. My understanding is that it's a fair way into the hinterland, but that's really all I know at this stage. I'll have a chat with my friend and see if I can get more details.

Last time we talked about it, it seemed so far away. But it's getting closer, and we'll need to pin down the details by next year.

Stay tuned!

Steve.