sun travel path australia

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SunCalc shows the movement of the sun and sunlight-phase for a certain day at a certain place.

You can change the suns positions for sunrise , selected time and sunset see. The thin yellow-colored curve shows the trajectory of the sun, the yellow deposit shows the variation of the path of the sun throughout the year. The closer a point in the center, the higher the sun above the horizon. The colors in the above time-slider shows the sunlight during the day. The sun on the time slider can be moved by mouse or with the arrow keys of the keyboard

To understand the sun and the moon even better, visit the website SunMoonTrack

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Note (Oct 2018): I'm aware of the broken map (see this article for more context). Stay tuned — I'm working on a new version!

SunCalc is a little app that shows sun movement and sunlight phases during the given day at the given location.

You can see sun positions at sunrise , specified time and sunset . The thin orange curve is the current sun trajectory, and the yellow area around is the variation of sun trajectories during the year. The closer a point is to the center, the higher is the sun above the horizon. The colors on the time slider above show sunlight coverage during the day.

Please leave your ideas about improving SunCalc or vote for them here , and follow @suncalc_net for updates.

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Navigating by the sun for hiking in Australia

Hike navigation

Navigating by the Sun: A guide for hikers in Australia

Australia’s vast and diverse landscape offers a multitude of hiking trails, providing opportunities to explore stunning natural wonders. While traversing these trails, hikers may encounter situations where they need to navigate without the aid of maps or GPS devices . Understanding how to utilise the sun’s position can be an invaluable skill for such situations.

The sun’s path in Australia

Unlike at the equator, where the sun rises and sets directly due east and west respectively, in Australia, the sun’s path varies throughout the year. This variation is due to the Earth’s tilt and inclination relative to the sun. As a result, the sun rises and sets at different angles throughout the year, with the exact angle depending on the latitude and the time of year.

Determining latitude using the sun

As hikers, we often find ourselves in remote areas, far from the familiar landmarks and technological aids that we rely on in our daily lives. In these situations, it can be helpful to know how to navigate using the natural world around us. One such method is to use the rising and setting of the sun to determine our approximate latitude.

How it works: The Earth’s axis is tilted at an angle of 23.5 degrees relative to the plane of its orbit around the sun. This tilt causes the sun’s position in the sky to vary throughout the year. At the equinoxes, an event that occurs twice a year, the sun is directly overhead at the equator. At the solstices, the sun is directly overhead at the Tropic of Cancer (June solstice) or the Tropic of Capricorn (December solstice). There are two types of solstices: summer solstices and winter solstices. Summer solstices occur around 21 June in the Northern Hemisphere and 21 December in the Southern Hemisphere. Winter solstices occur around 21 December in the Northern Hemisphere and 21 June in the Southern Hemisphere. The angle between the sun and the horizon at any given time depends on the observer’s latitude and the time of year. This angle is called the solar altitude.

• Measuring Solar Altitude: To measure solar altitude, you need a tool that can measure angles. One such tool is a clinometer. A clinometer is a small, handheld instrument that has a bubble level and a protractor. To use a clinometer, hold it up to your eye so that the bubble level is centered. Then, point the protractor at the sun. The angle between the sun and the horizon will be displayed on the protractor.
• Determining Latitude:  Once you know the solar altitude, you can use it to determine your approximate latitude. There are a few different ways to do this. One method is to use a table of solar altitudes for different latitudes and times of year. Another method is to use a calculator that is programmed to do this calculation.
• Estimating Latitude:  If you don’t have a clinometer or calculator, you can still make a rough estimate of your latitude by observing the rising and setting of the sun. At the equinoxes, around 20 March and 22 September each year, the sun rises and sets due east and due west, respectively. At the solstices, the sun rises and sets at an angle away from due east and due west. The greater the angle, the farther the observer is from the equator. The accuracy of this method depends on the time of year and the observer’s ability to estimate the angle of the sun. In general, the method is more accurate at the equinoxes and less accurate at the solstices.

While this method may seem confusing and is not as accurate as using a GPS device, it can be a valuable tool for hikers who find themselves in remote areas without access to technology. By observing the rising and setting of the sun, hikers can get a ‘rough idea’ of their latitude and make informed decisions about their route.

Determining direction using the sun

Despite the variation in its path, the sun’s position can be used to determine direction, especially in the absence of other navigational aids. Here are two methods for using the sun to navigate:

1. Navigating by the sun: Shadow stick method

This method is simple and effective, particularly in the Southern Hemisphere, where the sun’s movements are more predictable.

• Find a straight stick or branch approximately 1 meter long.
• Choose a level spot free of obstructions where the stick will cast a clear shadow.
• Insert the stick vertically into the ground at the chosen spot.
• Mark the tip of the shadow with a stone, twig, or other visible marker. This mark represents your western direction.
• Wait for approximately 10-15 minutes for the shadow to move a noticeable distance.
• Mark the new tip of the shadow. This mark represents your eastern direction.
• Draw a line connecting the two marks (west and east). This line approximates an east-west line.
• To determine north, stand with the west mark to your left and the east mark to your right. You are now facing north.

The accuracy of the shadow stick method depends on several factors, including the time of day, the season, and the latitude. In general, the method is more accurate in the Southern Hemisphere than in the Northern Hemisphere, and it is most accurate around noon. Here’s some additional factors that can affect the accuracy of the shadow stick method:

• Cloud cover: If there is cloud cover, it can be difficult to see the shadow clearly. This will make it difficult to accurately measure the shadow’s length and direction.
• Uneven terrain: If the ground is uneven, the shadow will not be straight. This will make it difficult to accurately measure the shadow’s length and direction.
• Error in placing the stick: If the stick is not placed vertically in the ground, the shadow will not be accurate.

Despite its limitations, the shadow stick method is a simple and effective way to determine direction in the wilderness. It is a good skill to have in your tool kit, especially if you are planning to hike in an area where maps or GPS devices are unavailable.

2. Navigating by the sun: The watch method

The watch method is a simple and effective way to determine direction using an analog watch, especially when maps or GPS devices are unavailable. This method works best in the Northern Hemisphere, where the sun’s movements are more predictable. However, it can also be used in the Southern Hemisphere with some modifications.

Equipment:  An analog watch with hour and minute hands.

• Set the watch to the correct time: Ensure your watch is set to the correct local time. If you are unsure of the local time, you can try to synchronise your watch with the sun’s position.
• Position the watch: Hold the watch flat in your palm or lay it on a flat surface. The watch face should be facing up.

Determining Direction

Southern Hemisphere:

• Align the 12 o’clock mark with the sun: Rotate the watch until the 12 o’clock mark on the watch face is pointing directly towards the sun.
• Find the midpoint: Draw a line bisecting the angle between the 12 o’clock mark and the hour hand. This line represents the north-south line.
• Identify north and south: The end of the line closer to the 12 o’clock mark indicates south, while the end closer to the 6 o’clock mark indicates north.
• Note : If your watch is set on daylight savings time, use the midway point between the hour hand and 1 o’clock to determine the north-south line.

Northern Hemisphere:

• Align the hour hand with the sun: Rotate the watch until the hour hand on the watch face is pointing directly towards the sun.
• Bisect the angle: Draw a line bisecting the angle between the hour hand and the 12 o’clock mark. This line represents the north-south line.
• Identify north and south: The end of the line closer to the 12 o’clock mark indicates north, while the end closer to the 6 o’clock mark indicates south.

If there is any doubt as to which end of the line indicates north, remember that the sun rises in the east, sets in the west, and is due south at noon. The sun is in the east before noon and in the west after noon.

Additional Considerations:

• Time of Day: The accuracy of this method is highest around noon when the sun is at its highest point in the sky. As the day progresses, the sun’s position changes, and the accuracy of the method decreases.
• Seasonality: The sun’s path varies throughout the year, so the accuracy of this method may be affected by the time of year. In general, the method is more accurate during the summer months when the sun is higher in the sky.
• Cloud Cover: Clouds can obscure the sun, making it difficult to accurately determine its position.

The watch method is a simple and practical technique for determining direction when maps or GPS devices are unavailable. While it may not be as precise as other methods, it can provide valuable guidance in wilderness settings. However, it is always advisable to use multiple navigational techniques whenever possible to ensure accurate and safe navigation .

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SOLAR PATH CALCULATOR

SOLAR PATH ON 29-Apr-2024

SUNLIGHT DURING 2024

Computation time 0.063 s .

This calculator determines the path of the sun as it traverses the sky.

It can be used to calculate the sunlight hours in a day or year for any location. It also calculates the zenith angle, azimuth angle, and air mass of the sun at any (solar mean) time of day.

DEFINITIONS AND MODELS

An explanation of the solar path, and definitions of the various angles, are given on the PV CDROM (www.pveducation.org). A definition of solar mean time can be found on Wikipedia . We note that until 18-Dec-2018, the calculator incorrectly referred to 'solar mean time' as 'sidereal time'. Thanks to Arne Raaen for correcting us.

There exist several algorithms for determining the solar path. References to the algorithms that are available on the Solar path calculator are given below. We currently recommend using the PSA algorithm [Bla01], which is accurate to within 0.5 minutes of arc for the period 1999–2015.

In this calculator, the zenith and azimuth angles are with respect to the centre of the sun neglecting refraction. Sunrise and sunset are determined to be the second at which the zenith angle is pi/2 and therefore they neglect refraction and assume that the observer is at sea level.

Please email corrections, comments or suggestions to [email protected] .

Neither PV Lighthouse nor any person related to the compilation of this calculator make any warranty, expressed or implied, or assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any information disclosed or rendered by this calculator.

Comments? Bugs? Errors? Compliments?

Welcome to the solar path calculator

It can be used to calculate the sunlight hours in a day or year for any location.

Version 1.1, 20-August-2013

Import PVL File

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Online shadow map and sun finder

• Shadowmap and sunmap a house or garden
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Sun live position and data

This page shows The Sun location and other relevant astronomical data in real time. The celestial coordinates, magnitude, distances and speed are updated in real time and are computed using high quality data sets provided by the JPL Horizons ephemeris service (see acknowledgements for details). The sky map shown in the background represents a rectangular portion of the sky 60x40 arcminutes wide. By comparison the diameter of the full Moon is about 30 arcmins, so the full horizontal extent of the map is approximately 2 full Moons wide. Depending on the device you are using, the map can be dragged horizondally or vertically using the mouse or touchscreen. The deep sky image in the background is provided by the Digitized Sky Survey ( acknowledgements ).

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• The Hipparcos Star Catalogue, containing more than 100.000 bright stars
• The PGC 2003 Catalogue, containing information about 1 million galaxies
• The GSC 2.3 Catalogue, containing information about more than 2 billion stars and galaxies

Charting The Sun’s Motion In Relation To Your Home And Permaculture Site

Image source: NREL.gov

Understanding the sun’s motion relative to a site is an important aspect of a good permaculture design, as various elements like plants, animals and solar devices depend on sun for their functionality. A good appreciation of the earth’s rotation about its axis, its revolution around the sun and the consequences of these motions on the sun’s position and availability at a given location on the earth’s surface, is essential for maximizing plant productivity, harnessing maximum energy, minimizing energy usage and maintaining a comfortable indoor environment for humans and animals alike.

For proper functioning and productivity gardens, greenhouses and orchards should be placed at specific locations based on the adequate availability of sunshine for the parts of the year in which the plants are growing or fruiting. Other elements of a permaculture design like solar panels are also needed to be placed thoughtfully to obtain maximum exposure to the sun to harvest as much energy as possible. Houses outside the tropics need to be designed/oriented to make more winter sunlight enter the living spaces, while for those in the tropics, they should be designed/oriented to have more shade and cooler air entering the living spaces. Even animals can derive benefits from thoughtful solar designs, as they too like to have winter warmth and summer shade. Beehives, chickens, fish ponds and livestock, all appreciate sunshine in winter and shade in summer.

For a given site, if we can create a chart that shows the areas of year round shade and year round sunshine, one can plan and design the various elements for optimal functioning. Meaning, we need to chart the sun’s position throughout the year. But how to find the sun motion relative to a site?

Let’s begin by trying to understand the earth’s rotation about its axis, its orbit around the sun and the four seasons.

The four seasons

We all know that summers are hotter and winters are colder. Also, when it is summer in the northern hemisphere, it is winter in the southern hemisphere. But why is that?

The summers are hotter because, the sun’s path is higher in the sky. This makes the days longer and it makes the summer sun more intense. To understand it more clearly, let’s do a simple demonstration using a flash light.

In a darkened room, switch on the flash light on a surface, at a direct 90° degree angle. Make note of the size of the lit area. Now, slowly reduce the angle to make it less direct. You will now observe that the size of the lit area has increased, but the intensity or brightness of it has reduced. What it implies is that, direct 90° degree angle provides more intense light than the inclined one. The same thing happens with the sun. Higher it is in the sky, the more direct and intense the sunlight would be.

Now, this brings us to the next question – why is the sun higher in the sky in summer? The answer lies in the earth’s rotation about its tilted axis and it orbit around the sun. The earth rotates about its own axis, titled at an angle of 23.5° degrees to its orbital plane and at the same time, travels around the sun in a huge circular path through space.

During summer, the North Pole is tilted towards the sun. As a consequence, the sun’s path is higher in the sky, causing the northern hemisphere to receive more light and heat. Around June 21st, the northern hemisphere is tilted the most towards the sun and is called as the Summer Solstice. On this day, which can be referred as the first day of summer, the sun’s path is higher in the sky than it is on any other day in the year. In addition, because the sun is in the sky for more hours, the summer solstice is also the longest day in the year. These extra hours of sunlight gives the sun more time to heat the earth and this is the main reason for summer to be the hottest season.

As the earth continues its orbit around the sun, it reaches a point where its tilt is sideways to the sun. This is called as the Autumnal Equinox, where both the day and the night are of equal length with 12 hours each.

Continuing further in its orbital path around the sun, the earth reaches the other side of the sun, with the northern hemisphere tilted farthest away from the sun. Now, the sun’s path is lower in the sky, causing the northern hemisphere to receive less light and heat. This makes the days shorter and colder. The shortest day in this period is called the Winter Solstice.

As the earth revolves back towards the summer, it passes through another point where the axis is tilted sideways to the sun. Once again, day and night are of the same length. This day is called as the Vernal Equinox.

The sun’s path across the sky

Let’s try to perceive this planetary motion from a location on the earth’s surface. Imagine the sky as a huge hemispherical dome above our head and the sun moving on the inner surface of this dome. Let’s draw the sun’s path on summer solstice and winter solstice. As can be clearly seen the two paths are different, with it been longer and higher in the sky in summer and shorter and lower in the sky during winter. The longer the path, longer is the duration of the sun’s stay in the sky. Throughout the year, the sun’s path keeps shifting up and down between these two extremes.

Charting the sun’s location at any time in a day

With the help of these two arc lines, we can chart the sun’s position at any time in a day, during the year, at a given location on the earth’s surface. On December 21st, 9.00 a.m., the sun has risen in the east and is low in the southern sky. On June 21st, at the same time of the day, it is higher in the sky. If we draw a line on the sky dome between these two 9 a.m. positions, we can exactly pin point the sun’s location at 9 a.m. during the rest of the year. As the sun’s path moves up and down through the seasons, the sun’s position at 9 a.m. will always be somewhere on this line.

Solar window

In a similar way, a line can be drawn for the sun’s position at 3 p.m. throughout the year. We now have a rectangle on the sky dome, showing the sun’s position between 9.00 in the morning and 3.00 in the afternoon throughout the year. Part of the summer solstice arc and winter solstice arc along with the 9.00 a.m. and 3.00 p.m. arc’s make the four sides of the rectangle. The area inside this rectangle is called the solar window for a given location.

This solar window is very important because, it is between 9.00 a.m. and 3.00 p.m. that we receive the maximum energy from the sun. To harness the maximum possible energy at a given geographic location, the solar window should be clear and not be shaded by trees or any other obstacle between 9.00 a.m. and 3.00 p.m., during most part of the year. It is for this reason that, before installing any solar device, one should analyze the installation site’s solar window and make sure that, there aren’t any shading obstacles.

Measuring the sun’s position

But to actually chart the boundaries of a solar window for a real geographic location, one needs to know, how to measure the sun’s position in the sky. To pin-point the sun’s position on the sky dome, we need to make two measurements.

The first measurement is the sun’s direction on a compass. A straight line drawn from the sun to the horizon intersects a specific degree on a compass. This angle is a measure of the sun’s azimuth or elevation. The second measurement is the sun’s altitude or vertical angle. The combination of azimuth and altitude describes a specific spot on the sky dome.

Charting the sun’s path

Using these two measurements of solar azimuth and solar elevation, a chart can be drawn which will show how the sun’s position changes throughout the year. This chart is called the sun path chart and it shows how the sun’s path looks like from the earth’s surface.

The images show the sun path chart for San Francisco, California. It shows what we would see, if we look towards the South Pole from this location. The y-axis represents the altitude or solar elevation, measured from 0° degrees on the horizon to 90° degrees directly overhead. The x-axis represents the sun’s direction on the compass, the solar azimuth. The center of chart is 180° or due south. The intersection of the sun’s altitude and azimuth on the graph shows the sun’s position in the sky.

The chart can be overlaid with the locations of shading obstacles like trees or buildings. Further, one can overlay the sun’s paths of the shortest and longest day of the year. On top of that, the position lines of the hours of the day can also be graphed. This gives the solar window – the area of the sky when the sun would be between 9.00 a.m. and 3.00 p.m., throughout the entire year.

Lastly, the five monthly sun paths for the rest of the year can also be included. There are only five paths as the sun’s path is duplicated as it moves up and down through the seasons. For example, its path on March 21st is the same as its path on September 21st.

Now we can see where the sun would be shaded during the year. As an example of how to make use of this chart, notice the lowest sun path, the path for Dec 21st. Between 9.00 and 10.00 a.m. on this day, the sun would be shaded by a tree which stands between 135° and 150° degrees on the compass.

References:

1. www.solarschoolhouse.org 2. https://mymilescity.com/how-to-solar-power/tilting_solar_panels.html 3. https://oikos.com/library/solar_site_design/index.html 4. https://mothermana.com/2012/08/23/1535/ 5. https://www.ecowho.com/articles/6/The_importance_of_building_orientation.html 6. https://thesoilhuggersjourney.wordpress.com

Ravindra Krishnamurthy

The advantages of permaculture over traditional landscaping, piecing together a guild of your own, 13 comments.

Awesome explanation. Planning a rose garden and vegetable garden. Would live to have the solar window charted for my location.

Hi Ravindra Krishnamurthy, would like to have the solar window charted for an my location.

Go to the below link or google “Sun Earth Tools, Sun Position”. Type in your coordinates, which again can also be found online using your IP address, and it’ll chart your location.

https://www.sunearthtools.com/dp/tools/pos_sun.php?lang=en

Thanks so much for the advice. I got my chart with me now.

Very kind and considerate of you to provide such an excellent link – that is exactly the type of link tool I was hoping to find when I bagan my knowledge quest to learn how to plant my Greenhouse/Home on the the Earth properly for the best food growing efficiency.

Is having the solar window charted for your location an option?

Great explanation. Now I understand why the sun comes into the house more on Fall and Winter mornings. Thank you!

You rock, love the article

I’m a US science teacher recently relocated to the UK, and was more than a little surprised at being ridiculed by colleagues for the following, and for their utter lack of curiosity: I was driving home at 9 pm on July 10 on a straight stretch of road I thought was oriented fairly northwest, directly into the setting sun. This bothered me, since everyone knows the sun sets in the west! Though I intellectually understand latitude’s effect on the sun’s arc, I did not expect the manifestation to be so extreme as to have the sun set so far north of west; admittedly I’ve spent decades around 40N latitude, not 50N. Once home, I looked at a map and confirmed the road’s direction: northwest. And it was definitely the sun and not noctilucent clouds.

Undeterred by being totally shut down in the teacher’s lounge, I found a website that would calculate and plot the sun’s compass position relative to an observer based on latitude, time and date, and voila, the precise northwest angle of the road in question! It’s really quite surprising to see; your website also makes it pretty clear. Too bad people aren’t more observant, or curious, even when it’s pointed out. How much they miss.

I need help … I’m building a small home in queen valley Arizona and all my windows face north . Do I need an awing on those windows or overhang? Will s’un come into the house ? In winter or summer? Any suggestions would be appreciated

Not to be picky but you used the word been instead of being. Thanks for the info. Very interesting

We have house in south fort myers FL , can you provide a sun path from late November to late April

I would like to reconsider the notion that we should track the sun to get the maximum efficiency for all seasons. Here in Central Michigan I need more power in winter than in summer. Excess power generation can actually be a problem, in fact. So, rather than seasonally tracking the sun, with the inherent additional equipment costs, it makes sense to me to just work with a solar angle for the coldest time of the year – January. That provides the power when I need it while also reducing the problem of excess power generation in the summer.

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• Both UVA and UVB cause skin damage (sunburn, premature aging, skin cancer).
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Sun path building orientation

by Editorial Buildi | May 26, 2023 | Building tips , Home design , Sustainable homes

How the sun rises and falls is something you’ve seen so often that you may take it for granted, but it’s a detail that can have a big impact on the design of your home. Designing and building your home with the right orientation will help your house make the most of natural light, make it more comfortable year-round, and help reduce energy bills. Today, we’re shining a light on sun path building orientation.

Table of Contents

What is sun path orientation?

When we talk about the sun’s path, we are speaking of the trajectory of the sun or the path from where it rises through to where it sets. Keep in mind, the sun’s path differs in placement and length of time depending on the season.

A good building orientation takes advantage of the sun and wind when it makes the home more livable (for example, sunlight to warm the home in winter) and protects against negative effects (the sun turning your home into an oven during winter).

How does the sun’s path affect a building?

The correlation between your house design layout and the sun path has a major effect on the livability and comfort of your home. Making the most of your surroundings, including the sun’s path, is the building equivalent of working smart, not working hard. Just some of the advantages of a good building orientation include:

• More comfortable temperatures more of the time.
• Better use of natural light
• Stronger solar gains for panels
• Encourage summer breeze flow
• Avoid unwanted summer sun in hot humid climates
• Lower energy bills

The good news is that orientation can flexible and there is some wriggle room for your house design and facing north.

Why consider sun path orientation for your new home?

Whenever possible, it’s always best for your building to work with your environment rather than against it. By creating a passive solar design that works with the sun’s path, you’ll increase the energy efficiency of your home which will have a wide range of benefits including:

• Cut your energy bills
• Lower carbon footprint
• A house which is comfortable more often.

What are the key considerations of good sun path orientation?

Where you live in the world will make all the difference when it comes to what the best orientation is. Different factors need to be considered to get the most from your design.

The climate of where you live will be a critical factor in how your house will be designed regarding the sun’s path. For example, in cold climates, you’ll want mainly passive heating. This means a home that focuses on ways of attracting and maintaining heat gain. Conversely, a hotter environment will require a house that makes the most of prevailing winds.

When performing climate research, you need to take into account the following:

• temperature ranges that can be expected in your area. Look into both seasonal and day-night differences.
• humidity range
• the direction of cooling breezes, hot winds, cold winds, and air patterns.
• seasonal characteristics (for example, is your area prone to heat waves?)

True north and sun angles of your home

In Australia, solar access comes from True or solar north. This means the northern side of the house will receive the brunt of the sunlight and therefore rooms in which you want to receive more solar gain.

In most Australian home designs, it’s desirable to allow low-angle winter sun into your home while minimising the high-angle summer sun.

Building design suited to your climate

There’s no universal design that will work for every climate and therefore you need to take your specific environment into account when creating your home. For example, depending on average temperatures throughout the year, the desired amount of solar access varies significantly. A house that would be perfect for a Tasmanian climate might not work at all in far north Queensland without some tweaking. Local builders should be what design choices best suit your area and should be able to guide you during the design process.

Climate change

You may be wondering how climate change will play a role in your building orientation. It’s worth remembering the world is getting warmer, and therefore, while passive warming is important, passive cooling could become more essential.

Tips for building a new home with good sun path orientation

Sun orientation for passive heating.

Passive heating, or passive solar heating, is about making design decisions that will trap heat in the home. Though useful in all areas, it is particularly suited for cool or colder climates, as it encourages heat gain and makes the most of the winter sun.

Build close to the South boundary

Building close to the southern boundary of your property will help provide northerly solar access to the northern side of your home without shading your southern neighbouring houses.

Consider the location of living areas & shading

The layout of your home (where rooms are) needs to consider both the functionality of the home and how the outside environment will affect it. North-facing living areas tend to benefit from more direct sun.

Increase cross ventilation with window selection

Incorporating cross ventilation into your home design is one of the most effective ways you can take advantage of cool breezes, and is a must for warm, humid and tropical environments. The types of windows you choose, where you place them in your house, and how they interact with one another will make a huge difference to the airflow throughout your house. It may take a little tinkering during the design process, but during those scorching days, you’ll be glad you made the effort.

Minimise winter heat loss

Warming your home is one thing, but your house’s ability to maintain that heat is the x-factor in cutting down on energy bills and increasing the comfort levels of your home. There are various ways to minimize heat loss including:

• Installing proper insulation
• Double-glazed windows.
• Shading for windows
• Proper home orientation, allowing low angle east or west sun to heat your home.

Avoid west-facing bedrooms

As the sun sets in the west in Australia, any west-facing walls or bedrooms will bare the last brunt of the sun. Building bedrooms away from the west of your house will help create more comfortable sleeping environments for you and your family.

Build utility rooms on the south or west side of the plot

So, if you shouldn’t place your bedrooms on the west side of your home, what should go there? Utility rooms, for example, laundry rooms, are a great option for this location of the house.

Plant vegetation on the North side

Planting the right type of vegetation on the north-facing outdoor space of your house could play an important role in the thermal mass of your house.

Landscape using plantings and fences

The layout of your land, including the placement of trees and plants, can channel cool breezes while blocking against harsh winds. Chat with a landscaper about the best ways to plan for the intricacies of your land, including north-facing slopes or south-facing slopes.

Sun orientation for passive cooling

Passive cooling strategies will help cool down your home without using air conditioning. This happens by taking advantage of airflow, design choices and thermal mass.

Build narrow homes with long walls

Narrow homes with long walls can be designed to channel prevailing wind patterns, thereby helping to cool down your home faster and more efficiently.

Position door and window openings to enhance cross ventilation

Creating quality airflow through your home will do wonders for cooling down your home. A key part of this is the placement of your windows and doors and how they work together.

Minimise East & west openings

East and west openings in your home will receive the most sun throughout the day. They are also the most difficult to shade so, if possible keep east and west-facing windows to a minimum.

Get free advice on sun path orientation for your new home build

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Building a Home

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Advice & inspiration

• ECLIPSE AUSTRALIA 2028
• FUTURE ECLIPSES
• WHERE TO VIEW
• WHAT ARE ECLIPSES?
• THE TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE EXPERIENCE
• THE PARTIAL SOLAR ECLIPSE EXPERIENCE
• HOW TO VIEW a SOLAR ECLIPSE SAFELY
• PROJECTION – PINHOLE & OPTICAL
• SOLAR FILTERS FOR OPTICS
• IMAGING & VIDEO
• RECOMMENDED WEBSITES ETC

COUNTDOWN TO TOTALITY* 22.07.28

The australian solar eclipse 22 july 2028.

A   total solar eclipse   will occur right across Australia on 22 July 2028. This is the second in a series of five total solar eclipses in Australia between 2023 and 2028. The first was on 20 April 2023.

*The countdown timer above is set for 22 July 2028.

The path of the total eclipse on the Australian mainland will cross the Kimberley region of Western Australia then continue on across the Northern Territory, south-west Queensland and into New South Wales passing directly over Sydney. The eclipse will be total at around 11am (AWST) in the Kimberley area, around 12:45pm (ACST) in the Northern Territory and around 2pm (AEST) in Sydney.

The process of the moon moving across the face of the Sun takes up to about three hours, but the time of totality, when the Sun is completely obscured by the moon will only last for up to a little over 5 minutes in the Kimberley area to up to 3 minutes and 45 seconds in the Sydney area (exact times depend on your location).

Check the interactive map further down the page to see the path of the total eclipse across Australia and the time of the eclipse at any observing location on the path. Zoom in and click on the location to show a pop up box with the time and duration of the total eclipse as well as the times of the start and end of the partial phases. Note that the times are in Universal Time, but that can be changed to local time by clicking on the clock icon on the left hand side of the screen. The altitude of the Sun as well as its direction is also shown.

The timing of the total eclipse at selected locations along the path of totality are listed HERE .

This rare and spectacular phenomenon is probably the most awe inspiring event in the natural world.

Observers at the 2028 Total Eclipse can expect to see the Sun’s bright disc slowly being covered by the silhouette of the moon to produce a diminishing solar crescent.

Just as the last of the Sun disappears behind the moon, two interesting optical phenomenon will occur, known as Baily’s Beads and the Diamond Ring Effect. This is when the final rays of sunlight pass between the rugged lunar topography.

See HERE for a description of the total solar eclipse experience.

Michael Zeiler / GreatAmericanEclipse.com

The path across australia of the solar eclipse on 22 july 2028., the path of totality is highlighted in yellow with the duration of totality indicated. yellow lines roughly parallel to the path of totality show the maximum amount of obscuration of the sun away from the path of totality. obscuration is the percentage area of the sun covered and is an indication of the degree of reduction in sunlight..

At the same time, the whole of Australia will experience a partial solar eclipse – a solar eclipse seen from within the Moon’s penumbra, where the Moon appears to block part (but not all) of the Sun’s surface (the photosphere).

During a partial eclipse there is some reduction in brightness due to the Moon covering the Sun’s disc. However this is usually not noticeable unless the reduction is large.

The interactive map below will show you how much of the Sun’s disc will be blocked at any location across Australia. Zoom in and click on any location outside the path of totality to show a pop up box with the timing of the start and end of the partial eclipse and maximum coverage of the Sun. Note that the times are in Universal Time, but that can be changed to local time by clicking on the clock icon on the left hand side of the screen. The altitude of the Sun as well as its direction is also shown. The magnitude figure is the maximum coverage of the diameter of the Sun at the location.

The timing and maximum coverage of the Sun for the partial eclipse at capital cities are listed HERE .

Do not look at a partial eclipse or the partial phases of a total eclipse – use eclipse glasses or a projection method as described HERE .

See HERE for what to expect during a partial eclipse.

Interactive Google Map – showing the path of the eclipse (map opens in new window)

Google Maps / Xavier M. Jubier

Australia’s eclipse quintet: 2023-2038.

There are five total solar eclipses visible in Australia over the 15 year period 2023 to 2038. Following the recent 20 April eclipse the next four will be:

1) 22 July 2028 crossing the Kimberley in WA, NT, southwest Qld, NSW and passing centrally through Sydney;

2) 25 November 2030 across SA, northwest NSW, southern Qld ending at sunset in southeast Qld;

3) 13 July 2037 through southern WA, southern NT, western Qld and finally passing over Brisbane and the Gold Coast;

4) 26 December 2038 through central WA, SA, and along the NSW/Vic border.

The image below shows the paths of these eclipses across Australia.

The eclipse of 22 July 2028

The second total solar eclipse in the series of five occurs on 22nd of July 2028 and crosses the Australian continent from Western Australia through to New South Wales, passing directly over Sydney.

• The 2028 eclipse path across the world

The path of totality of the 2028 eclipse starts in the Indian Ocean to the west of Indonesia, crosses the Australian territories of Cocos and Keeling Islands and Christmas Island and makes contact with the Australian mainland firstly in the Kimberley area of Western Australia, then continues across the Northern Territory, south-west Queensland and into New South Wales passing directly over the Sydney area. Continuing across the Tasman Sea the path crosses New Zealand over Queenstown and Dunedin finishing out in the Pacific Ocean.

The whole of Australia and New Zealand will experience a partial solar eclipse. The path of the eclipse is shown in the animation of Figure 1 prepared by Michael Zeiler and Fred Espenak. Their animations can be downloaded from https://eclipsewise.com/solar/SEdecade/SEanimate2001.html#animate2021 . The animation is shown from the perspective of an observer on the Moon. It shows the movement across Earth of the small black dot of the Moon’s shadow, the umbra, where a total solar eclipse will occur, surrounded by the lighter penumbra where a partial solar eclipse will happen. The path of totality is shown as a yellow line. The progress of the time in Universal Time is at top right and the duration of totality on the centerline at that point in the path is at bottom left. To convert Universal time to local time, add 6:30 for Cocos (Keeling) islands; 7:00 for Christmas Island; 8:00 for Western Australia; 9:30 for South Australia, Northern Territory and Broken Hill; 10:00 for eastern Australian states; and 12:00 for New Zealand.

• The 2028 solar eclipse across Australia

Figure 2 depicts the eclipse over Australia and New Zealand. The green lines show percentage coverage of the Sun’s diameter at eclipse maximum. This illustrates that the whole of Australia and New Zealand will have a partial solar eclipse and that maximum coverage of the Sun decreases with increasing distance from the path of totality. The yellow crescent images of the Sun at each of the capital cities and selected other locations show the coverage of the Sun at maximum eclipse at those places. The path of totality is shown with its centerline in blue and northern and southern extremities of totality in red. The path of totality crosses Western Australia, Northern Territory, Queensland and New South Wales as well as New Zealand. Locations outside the path of totality (even just outside) will not experience any of the dramatic effects of the total eclipse.

Circumstances of the eclipse at capital cities and other locations are shown in Table 1 below. Times are shown for the start of the partial phase (known as first contact or C1), time that the eclipse reaches maximum, the maximum percentage coverage of the Sun’s diameter (known as eclipse magnitude), the altitude of the Sun at eclipse maximum, and the end of the partial phase (known as fourth contact or C4). All times are in local time in 24-hour clock time.

Outside the path of totality right across Australia a partial solar eclipse will occur with the Moon gradually covering part of the Sun. The view of the eclipse will start after first contact with a small “bite” taken out of the Sun. Coverage of the Sun will increase. The proportion of the Sun’s diameter covered (called the magnitude of the eclipse) will increase to a maximum and then reduce again as the Moon moves across the Sun, finishing as the Moon moves off the Sun at fourth contact. For a detailed description of the experience see What happens during a solar eclipse .

Even though some locations in Table 1 will have a high percentage coverage of the Sun, they will not experience any of the dramatic effects of the total solar eclipse. Even at 99% coverage, the light is still up to 1 000 times brighter than in the path of totality. It is far too bright to see the corona, the chromosphere and any prominences and you will not be enveloped by the dark shadow or see the diamond ring or the 360° sunset colours.

• The 2028 eclipse path of totality

Figure 3 provides details of the path of totality across Australia and New Zealand. The path of totality is shown with its centerline in blue and northern and southern extremities of totality in red. For selected locations on the path of totality the start time of totality (in local time) is shown as well as the duration of totality. The greatest eclipse point is the location where the duration of totality is longest. For this eclipse it is in the Kimberley region of Western Australia (shown on Figure 3) with a duration of 5 minutes and 10 seconds. This is a relatively long eclipse. The width of the path of totality varies between about 230 km in Western Australia to about 190 km near Sydney and about 170 km in New Zealand. The shadow of the Moon will be travelling across the ground at about 2 150 km per hour in Western Australia increasing to about 4 900 km per hour near Sydney.

• The 2028 eclipse path of totality in the Sydney region

Details of the path of totality in the Sydney region are shown in Figure 4. As before, the path of totality is shown with its centerline in blue and northern and southern extremities of totality in red. The path covers several major towns and cities as well as the greater Sydney area. The area has a population of about 6 million residents. Although “the dish” near Parkes is just outside the path, the Siding Springs Observatory (not shown in the diagram) is inside the path.

• Circumstances for locations in the 2028 eclipse path of totality

Circumstance of the total eclipse at selected locations on the path of totality are shown in Table 2 below including the start of the partial phase (known as first contact or C1), the start of the total phase (known as second contact or C2), the duration of the total phase, the altitude of the Sun for the total phase, and the end of the final partial phase (known as fourth contact or C4). All times are in local time in 24 hour clock time.

• Eclipse circumstances at other locations

To find the circumstances of the 2028 eclipse at any other location both inside and outside the path of totality, use Xavier Jubier’s interactive Google map for the eclipse at: http://xjubier.free.fr/en/site_pages/solar_eclipses/TSE_2028_GoogleMapFull.html . A map will display the path of totality across Earth. Enter the place name in the search box and select from the list or find the location on the map and select it. An information box will pop up with the details of the eclipse at that point.

• What to see during totality for the 2028 eclipse

As totality approaches the temperature will gradually decrease and the light will fade, confusing birds and animals. In the last few minutes, the Moon’s shadow may be seen approaching. As this is a long eclipse with a wide path the shadow may be well defined and is likely to appear as a very dark thunderstorm approaching swiftly and silently from a generally north-west direction. In Western Australia the umbra will reach down to Earth somewhat vertically but towards Sydney and the end of the path near New Zealand, the shadow will become more inclined and this is likely to make it more defined and darker.

A wind may spring up, and it may feel as if there is a chill in the air. Viewing through your safe solar filters, if the sky is clear, you can see the very thin crescent shape of the Sun decreasing to the last few points of light shining through valleys around the edge of the Moon then winking out as the surrounding light suddenly goes dark.

Removing your safe solar filters, you will see the dramatic sight of the eclipsed Sun appearing as a black hole in the sky surrounded by the Sun’s beautiful white corona. Initially, there will be an arc of the Sun’s bright red chromosphere and there may be prominences visible. The extent of the chromosphere and how long any prominences last will depend on where you are across the path of totality. Near the centre of the path, the chromosphere and any prominences may only be seen briefly as they are covered by the moving Moon. Towards either side of the path expect the chromosphere to appear more down one side of the Sun and last longer and prominences on that side of the Sun will also likely last longer.

When totality arrives, the whole sky will become a very dark blue, resembling a deep twilight as you are surrounded by the Moon’s shadow. Planets and bright stars will become visible if the sky is clear. As this is a relatively long eclipse the sky will be darker than shorter eclipses and more stars and planets would be expected to be visible if the sky is clear. The sight of the Sun in the sky surrounded by the planets, extending in a line out from the Sun, gives a unique perspective of the Solar System as the planets move in their orbits all on almost the same plane.

Figure 5 is a simulation created using the software program Stellarium of a view of the whole sky as seen from Devils Marbles in the Northern Territory during totality. View this chart as if holding it overhead. The eclipsed Sun will be reasonably high in the sky. To the north, the bright planet Venus will be to the left of the Sun in the north-west. Jupiter will be to the right of the Sun in the north-east. Mercury will be close to the Sun about 4 degrees to the left and down and Mars will be between Venus and the Sun. Bright stars may be visible in the locations shown. There will be sunset-like colours 360 degrees all around the horizon. See What happens during a solar eclipse for more detailed information and photos of the effects and Light and colours in the atmosphere for an explanation of the horizon sunset colours.

As the eclipse progresses towards the east of Australia, the Sun will be further to the west as will be the planets and the stars. Figure 6 is a simulation created using the software program Stellarium of a view of the whole sky as seen from Sydney during totality. The eclipse will be lower in the north-west. Venus will be on the western horizon and Jupiter will be higher in the sky. Stars will generally be further to the west.

Towards the end of totality another bright red arc of the chromosphere will appear. Then, all too quickly, at the end of totality, the first point of sunlight will burst through a valley around the edge of the Moon in the dramatic and memorable finale – the diamond ring effect. After seeing the diamond ring, safe solar filters must be used immediately to enjoy the remainder of the eclipse as a partial eclipse.

• Safe viewing of the 2028 solar eclipse

The only safe way to look directly at the uneclipsed, or partially eclipsed Sun is through special-purpose solar filters, such as “eclipse glasses” or handheld solar viewers. However, it is vital that they conform to the correct standard, and that they are used safely.

Here are tips to assist in the safe use of eclipse glasses and similar products:

• The filters must be certified to comply with the requirements of the ISO 12312-2 international standard. It is strongly recommended that they be purchased from reputable vendors to ensure that they have been correctly certified. These may include astronomy supply shops, public observatories and planetariums or from a government agency. Ordering from other suppliers especially on the internet is not recommended as the filters may not be correctly certified.
• Always inspect your solar filter before use; if scratched, punctured, torn, or otherwise damaged, discard it. Read and follow any instructions printed on or packaged with the filter.
• Always supervise children using solar filters, ensuring that they use them correctly and do not sneak a peek at the Sun around the filter.
• If you normally wear eyeglasses for distance viewing, keep them on. Put your eclipse glasses on over them or hold your handheld viewer in front of them.
• Stand still and cover your eyes with your eclipse glasses or solar viewer before looking up at the bright Sun. After looking at the Sun, turn away and then remove your filter - do not remove it while looking at the Sun.
• Do not look at the uneclipsed, or partially eclipsed Sun through an unfiltered camera, telescope, binoculars, or other optical device.
• Similarly, do not look at the Sun through a camera, telescope, binoculars, or any other optical device while using your eclipse glasses or handheld solar viewer - the concentrated solar rays could damage the filter and enter your eye(s), causing serious injury.

Other methods of experiencing the partial phases of the eclipse are by viewing a projected image of the Sun. This can be safe because no one is looking directly at the Sun. This includes pinhole projection, mirror projection, binocular or telescope projection or commercially produced projection devices. For details of these methods and how to use them safely and other eye safety information see Eye Safety .

It is safe, and awe-inspiring, to watch the eclipse without using eye protection during the brief period of totality, while the Moon is completely covering the Sun – that is the excitement of this event! However, you must be sure that you are watching at the correct time and place and are in totality. Refer to Figures 3 and 4 and Table 2 above to check where to be and when. If you are inside the path of totality, remove your solar filter only when the Moon completely covers the Sun’s bright face, and it suddenly gets quite dark. Wait until the last bright spots around the edge of the Sun as viewed through your filter have disappeared. Experience totality, then, as soon as the bright Sun begins to reappear in the “diamond ring”, look away or replace your solar viewer to watch the remaining partial phases. It should be noted that certified “eclipse glasses” and filters are intended to be used for the partial phases of the eclipse. They MUST be removed to experience totality. If using the pinhole method to watch the progress of the eclipse, be aware that it cannot be used to determine the start of totality as the image will fade out well before the start of totality and viewing with a properly certified solar filter is a more effective method.

• Weather prospects for the 2028 total eclipse

Weather on the day of the eclipse cannot be predicted far in advance of the time of the eclipse. However, statistics of climate observations can give an indication of average weather.

An excellent resource for eclipse weather is Jay Anderson’s eclipse weather website which has information on weather for the 2028 eclipse https://eclipsophile.com/future-eclipses-2024-2028/ . Figure 7 is from that site and shows the mean July cloud cover as measured by satellite over an 18-year period together with the path of totality. The lowest cloud amounts are in northwestern Australia where there is an excellent probability of clear skies. The chance of cloud increases as the eclipse moves to the south-east but is still only at a moderate level towards the east coast.

Despite the encouraging statistics, there is always the possibility of cloud on the day.

Where to observe the 2028 total eclipse

To experience the total solar eclipse, you must be located on the path of totality. Anywhere outside the path of totality will only experience a partial eclipse. As the path of totality for this eclipse stretches from coast to coast there are many suitable locations for viewing. Here are some of the things you may consider when deciding where to observe from.

• Weather prospects

Clear skies are essential for the best view of totality. The map of figure 7 shows that the best prospects for clear weather are in north-west Australia. However, there are also good prospects across central Australia and into western New South Wales. Chances of clear skies decrease closer to the east coast and into Sydney.

However, what is more important is the actual weather on the day of the eclipse. A good idea is to check on the weather forecast in advance of eclipse day. A good forecast of clear skies in one area can influence the choice of observing site. The Bureau of Meteorology forecasts can be consulted as well as international weather models. If there is consistency between the various models, then that will increase the confidence in the forecast.

If there is thin cloud at the time of the eclipse, then it will still be spectacular. If cloud cover is thicker then you may not see the dramatic sight of the Sun in total eclipse, but the sky will go very dark as the Moon’s shadow passes over. If there is cloud in the time before the eclipse, the temperature drop caused by the Moon’s shadow approaching may reduce the cloud cover in a phenomenon called “eclipse cooling”.

• The totality experience

As long as the sky is clear the view of the eclipse from anywhere in the path of totality will be spectacular. However, the experience will vary depending on where you are in the path. Some people seek out the longest time in totality. The maximum duration of totality for this eclipse will be 5 minutes and 10 seconds on the centreline in the Kimberley area. The Greatest Eclipse Point is marked on Figure 3. East or west from here on the path of totality the duration will decrease but it is still a very creditable 3 minutes and 44 seconds in metropolitan Sydney. See how totality duration varies along the path of totality centreline in the animation of Figure 1.

The duration of totality will also vary depending on where across the path of totality you are. It will be a maximum in the area of the centreline but will still be significant across most of the path. Some experienced eclipse enthusiasts choose a location close to the edge of the path of totality. This will give a reduced time in totality but normally produces an enhanced experience of the transition effects at the start and end of totality with Baily’s Beads, diamond ring and chromosphere typically persisting for a longer time.

• How far to travel

If you are lucky enough to live within the path of totality, then the best place to view totality is probably from home. You can invite family and friends and you have access to all facilities. If not in the path of totality, you can travel to the closest part of the path if the weather forecast for that area is favourable. Otherwise, you may need to travel to an area with a better forecast. If planning on travelling to the path in central Australia this can be remote country and you would be wise to be relatively self-sufficient carrying adequate fuel, food and water and allowing for contingencies.

If the weather for the area you have chosen to go to is uncertain with, for example, the possibility of cloud, there is benefit of being in an area where there are options to relocate in the day before or in the period leading up to the eclipse. A site that has a road that is aligned in the direction of the path of totality for example can be helpful if travelling in a vehicle or other similar method of transport.

• Photography options

If photographing the eclipse against a great foreground is a priority, then there are many options to choose from for this eclipse. Some examples include Mitchell Falls and the gorges in the Kimberley region, Devils Marbles in the Northern Territory, outback areas in Northern Territory, Queensland or New South Wales and iconic locations in Sydney such as Sydney Harbour Bridge or the Opera House. For more information on eclipse photography see Eclipse Photography .

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Never look directly at the bright surface of the Sun without suitable eye protection as permanent eye damage may result. This applies at any time and especially during the partial phases of a solar eclipse.

Supported by AAQ

This website is supported by the Astronomical Association of Queensland.

Solar eclipse 2024: A traveller’s guide to the best places to be when the light goes out

O n 8 April 2024, a total solar eclipse will sweep across North America , providing an astronomical experience in many alluring locations.

Only a tiny proportion of humanity has ever witnessed a total eclipse – but tens of millions of people will be able to experience one as the “path of totality” sweeps from the Pacific to the Atlantic during the course of that magical Monday.

Here’s what you need to know about why you should see it and where to be.

What happens during a total solar eclipse?

The greatest show on earth comes courtesy of the lifeless moon. Normally the orbiting lunar lump merely provides earth with tides, moonlight and somewhere to aim space rockets. But roughly once a year the natural satellite aligns with the sun and, thanks to a geometric miracle, blots out the hub of the solar system to create a total eclipse.

“Even though the moon is 400 times smaller than the sun, it’s also about 400 times closer to earth than the sun is,” says Nasa. “This means that from earth, the moon and the sun appear to be roughly the same size in the sky.”

A narrow band marking the “path of totality” carves an arc of darkness across the surface of our planet. If you are somewhere on that line at the predicted time, and you have clear skies, then the experience will become a lifelong memory.

The closer you are to the centre of the path of totality, the longer the total eclipse will last. The astronomer Dr John Mason, who has guided dozens of eclipse trips (and will be doing so again in 2024), says: “People down in southwest Texas will get about four minutes 20 seconds, and that reduces to about three minutes 20 seconds up in the northeast. That’s a pretty good, long total eclipse.”

What’s so good about seeing an eclipse?

In the days leading up to the eclipse, locations in the path of totality acquire something of a carnival atmosphere as astronomical tourists converge in excited anticipation.

On the day, the cosmological performance begins with a warm-up lasting more than an hour, during which the moon steadily nibbles away at the surface of the sun.

Suddenly, you experience totality. The stars and planets appear in the middle of the day. The air chills.

To testify to the heavenly fit between our two most familiar heavenly bodies, faint diamonds known as Baily’s beads peek out from behind the moon. They actually comprise light from the sun slipping through lunar valleys.

A sight to behold – so long as you can see the moon blotting out the sun and appreciate the mathematical perfection of nature in our corner of the galaxy.

Eclipses are entirely predictable: we know the stripes that the next few dozen will paint upon the surface of the Earth. But the weather is not. Cloud cover, which blighted the Cornwall eclipse in 1999, downgrades a cosmological marvel to an eerie daytime gloom.

Almost as predictable as the eclipse is that traffic towards the path of totality will be heavy on the morning of 8 April 2024.

Accommodation rates are astronomical: even humdrum motel rooms in Niagara, central in the path of totality, are selling for C$600 (£350) for the night of 7-8 April 2024.

Where will the great American eclipse 2024 be visible?

The path of totality makes landfall from the Pacific at Mazatlan on Mexico’s Pacific Coast and sweeps northeastwards to reach the US-Mexican border at Piedras Negras.

In the US, three big Texan cities – San Antonio, Austin and Dallas – are on the extremes of the path of totality; many citizens are likely to drive to locations near the centre of the line.

Arkansas will be an attractive place to see the eclipse , with both Texarkana (on the border with Texas) and Little Rock within the path of totality.

In the Midwest, Indianapolis and Cleveland share the distinction of being fairly central in the path of totality. In upstate New York, Buffalo and nearby Niagara Falls (shared with Canada) could be extremely attractive – though prone in early April to cloudy skies.

In Canada , Montreal is just touched by the path of totality. The line then reverts to the US, passing across northern Maine – which promises to be a superb with clear skies. Then back to Canada’s Maritime Provinces, with New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland all in the line of darkness.

Will I be able to see a partial eclipse from the UK?

Yes. The eclipse ends with the sunset in the eastern Atlantic, about 600 miles off the coast of Cornwall , before it reaches the UK and Ireland . But on the island of Ireland and western parts of Great Britain, a partial eclipse may be visible with the sun low in the sky.

If skies are clear and you have an open view to the west, it will start at around 7.55pm in Cardiff, Liverpool , Manchester, Edinburgh and Glasgow.

BBC Weather presenter Simon King said: “With the partial solar eclipse occurring late in the day UK time, the Sun will be low to the horizon and will actually set before the spectacle is over.”

Can I combine an exciting city with a partial eclipse?

Boston, New York and Chicago are among the big cities that will see a sizeable chunk of the sun blotted out. Viewer as far apart as Alaska and the far north of Colombia and the Caribbean will, if skies are clear and they use the correct eye protection, see a partial eclipse. But there is nothing to compare with a total eclipse.

Eclipse guru Dr Mason sums up the difference between a 99 per cent partial eclipse and a total eclipse as far apart as “a peck on the cheek and a night of passion”.

“There will be people who will look at the map and say, ‘I live in Cincinnati or I live in Columbus [Ohio] and I’m just outside the zone of totality. But I’m going to get a 99 per cent-plus eclipse, so maybe I won’t bother to travel’.

“What they don’t realise is there an enormous difference between 99 per cent and 100 per cent. And there’s a range of phenomena that they won’t see if they put up with 99 per cent.”

You must use special eclipse safety glasses or viewers when viewing a partial eclipse or during the partial phases of a total solar eclipse.

Where should I be for the total experience?

There are no guarantees of clear skies: all you can do is play the odds based on the record of cloud cover for the corresponding date in previous years.

Dr Mason says the average expected cloud cover amounts increase from around 40-45 per cent on the Mexico/Texas border to over 80 per cent in Maine, New Brunswick and Newfoundland.

Three particularly tempting locations:

• Southern Texas , close to San Antonio or Austin. Besides clear skies being more likely than not, access is easy with direct flights to Austin. Importantly there is much to explore in the region before and after the eclipse, from Big Bend National Park on the Rio Grande to Space Center Houston – an excellent place to continue the cosmological theme.
• Northern Arkansas , a picturesque part of the state, with the added attraction of Memphis just a couple of hours away.
• Niagara Falls : the dramatic border between the US and Canada could be an eclipse washout due to clouds. But the natural surroundings are impeccable – and there is plenty of accommodation, which will avoid the risk of being caught in severe traffic congestion on the freeways from Toronto and locations in New York State.

However, the most recent forecasts for cloud cover suggest that the Midwest around Indianapolis and the northeastern state of Maine could have the best prospects.

When are the next total solar eclipses?

Summer 2026 – Wednesday 12 August, to be precise – should bring a spectacular eclipse visible in northern Spain at the height of the European holiday season. The path of totality begins in the Arctic and crosses Greenland and Iceland before arriving in the northern half of Spain. The stripe of darkness will traverse the great cities of Bilbao, Zaragoza and Valencia in mainland Spain before arriving in Palma de Mallorca.

The following summer (2 August 2027), the southern tip of mainland Spain is in the path of totality for an eclipse that will sweep across North Africa and the Arabian peninsula : going east from the Strait of Gibraltar, it will encompass Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, the northeasternmost corner of Sudan, Saudi Arabia and Yemen.

Just under 12 months later, on 22 July 2028, Outback Australia will be the place to be. A total eclipse will make landfall in northern Western Australia, sweep across the Northern Territory and part of southwest Queensland – then clean across New South Wales, with Sydney in the middle of the path of totality.

Winter cloud cover could disrupt the experience in Australia’s largest city – and is very likely in the southern portion of New Zealand’s South Island where the eclipse reaches a finale.

Australia also features in the cosmological plans on 25 November 2030. This is early summer in the southern hemisphere, and likely to be good conditions for viewing in Namibia, Botswana and South Africa (Durban is on the path of totality) as well as South Australia.

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Sun direction in Adelaide (Australia)

Solar data for Adelaide

Detailed sun information.