A total solar eclipse will occur on 20 April 2023. Viewed from the North West Cape peninsula in Western Australia, the Moon will completely hide the Sun. Here, the path of totality will just cross the coast, including the towns of Exmouth and Learmonth. 

For most of Australia the eclipse will be partial – the Moon will only partly block the Sun. In Sydney there will be, at most, about a 19% coverage by area of the Sun (starting from 1:37pm). 

This eclipse is somewhat unusual, in that it is a hybrid eclipse – which means that it changes from an annular eclipse (where the Moon is smaller than the Sun on the sky) to a total eclipse, and then back to an annular eclipse, along the path of the shadow on the Earth. 

Solar and lunar eclipses always come in pairs, with one about two weeks after the other, and indeed, there will be a penumbral lunar eclipse on 5-6 May.

We’ve been studying the Sun since the birth of radio astronomy. The Sun is one of the brightest radio sources in our skies and our early observations identified radio fluctuations coinciding with solar flares which contribute to our space weather. Studying the Sun also influenced the development of the radio telescopes including the Australia Telescope Compact Array near Narrabri.

This solar eclipse is a wonderful reminder of just how lucky WA is to observe our Universe. There are few places in the world that pair such beautiful landscapes with spectacular dark skies and, in this case, the perfect view of a total solar eclipse, the first of five in Australia over the next 15 years.

The world class dark skies in WA also make it the perfect place to host world class, state of the art telescopes in the remote outback, as far from civilisation and technology as possible. The vast, dry, flat landscapes of the Murchison regions is host to Inyarrimanha Ilgari Bundara, or the Murchison Radio Astronomy Observatory (MRAO). This observatory site is so removed from the technology of cities, astronomers can detect the quiet radio light from out Universe, studying things from the first stars of the Universe, to the remnant bubbles of gas left after the death of a star.

The 2023 total solar eclipse in the Ningaloo region is another wonderful example of the incredible role WA has in observing our local astronomical neighbourhood and exploring the depths of our Universe.

A total solar eclipse is a spectacular event. Many people become addicted to that minute or so of eerie otherworldliness known as totality. They become 'eclipse chasers' and they travel all over the world for repeat experiences. Australia really is the lucky country with five total eclipses visible in various parts of the country over the next 15 years.

A total solar eclipse is something that will not be with us forever! It requires the moon to totally cover the Sun. But the moon is moving away from us and so we will only have eclipses for another 600 million years. Best to look at them now, while you have the chance!

The awe of a total solar eclipse is one way for everyone to experience the wonders of the Universe. We can understand the cause, so it is no mystery. But it is a wondrous experience that can open a mind to how the world works.

The solar eclipse, and specifically the total eclipse, is a unique astronomical phenomenon that occurs about once a year but is visible only from a tiny portion on the surface of our planet. Given that 2/3 of our surface is covered by oceans, it is very frequent that the path of the totality falls on the oceans, where it is extremely hard to witness the event.

This year, we are extremely fortunate to be able to observe the solar eclipse from WA. During the eclipse, that lasts only a few minutes, the entire world around you gets dark. This is a spectacular unique natural phenomenon that reminds us how small we are in the grand universe. Also, this is an opportunity to showcase astronomy and our planetary dynamics to the world, but particularly to those in WA.

Total solar eclipses are special events. But not as rare as people think. On average, there is a total solar eclipse every 18 months or so. However, any given eclipse does not last very long, or cover a very large area on the surface of the Earth. Total solar eclipses are visible from a given location on the Earth every 300 to 400 years, which is why most people think of them as rare.

I saw the total solar eclipse that was visible from Queensland in 2012. It was an amazing event. We watched it from the beach near Palm Cove. It was partially cloudy and just before the eclipse started, a gap in the clouds formed and we were able to watch it. But this was not the eclipse that has had the biggest impact on me. As a six-year-old in Bendigo in 1976, I witnessed the deep partial eclipse visible at that location. I remember Mum haranguing me to not look at the Sun, which I dutifully did not do.

But I vividly remember being inside at a window during the eclipse, where there was a big old gum tree outside. Thousands of the leaves on the tree had little holes in them, which formed thousands of pinhole cameras, and threw thousands of images of the eclipse onto the ground. I remember being deeply in awe and I think that was one of my early experiences that drew me to physics and astronomy.

Everyone should seek out a total eclipse at some point in their lifetime. If people can't make it to Exmouth, there will be a great one visible from the US in 2024 and another great one across Australia in 2028.

Solar eclipses are rare events when the Sun, Moon and Earth align just right such that the Moon covers the Sun’s disc, turning day to night. From Perth I’ll see a partial solar eclipse rather than the full solar eclipse, but I’m looking forward to the next total eclipse in Australia in 2028. It’s important never to look directly at the Sun, but with appropriate protection or observing a projection of the Sun, it is an amazing event to witness.

I will be remotely operating our ASKAP radio telescope while it experiences a partial eclipse. The telescope will be able to better measure the twinkling of galaxies in the vicinity around the eclipsed Sun. This twinkling is caused by the solar wind – charged particles emitted by the Sun – interfering with the light coming from the galaxies. By understanding how the solar wind moves away from the Sun via radio telescopes, we can learn more about space weather and in future help to predict the conditions in space.

As an Australian astrophysicist, I've always wanted to experience a total solar eclipse and never been in the right place at the right time. To be able to see it from Australia makes it particularly special. This is a tangible experience that demonstrates the structure of the Solar System and that we are on a rock (the Earth), being orbited by another rock (the Moon), both of which are orbiting a star (the Sun) in the vastness of space. This is something to experience!

On the type of eclipse:

Technically, this solar eclipse is a special type, known as a hybrid eclipse. It begins over the Indian Ocean as an annular eclipse, where the Moon is slightly too small to completely block the Sun and a ring of sunlight shines out from around the dark Moon. This happens when the Moon’s antumbral shadow hits Earth.

By the time the Moon’s shadow reaches land, it will become a total eclipse – the Moon now appears large enough to completely block the Sun, and it is the Moon’s umbral shadow that falls on Earth.

It’s incredible that such an eclipse occurs, because it means Earth is situated in the sweet spot between the umbral and antumbral shadows. Parts of Earth are in the umbral shadow, while the curvature of the planet is enough to make other places sit slightly farther away, so that the antumbral shadow falls there.

On totality:

For those fortunate to be in Exmouth, the eclipse will begin at 10:04am, and totality will occur at 11:30am, producing an eerie twilight. For just 58 seconds, eclipse observers will be plunged into the Moon’s shadow for an awe-inspiring experience.

What’s most amazing is totality reveals a part of the Sun we don’t normally see. The Sun’s magnificent corona – its outer atmosphere – extends millions of kilometres into space and can be seen dancing and shimmering.

It’s also possible to see planets and bright stars during totality, if you can tear your gaze away from the shimmering corona. There are currently four planets in our daytime sky and all will be revealed – Saturn and Jupiter sitting above the Sun, with faint Mercury and bright Venus below it.

What is a total solar eclipse and what will we be able to see? 

A total solar eclipse can be a life changing experience, the temperature drops, the Moon covers the Sun, the land and the sea look different, and the stars come out. When the Moon completely covers the Sun, the faint solar corona becomes visible. Since the Sun’s corona is always changing, no two total eclipses look the same. These events are even more special because they are so rare and fall on such small areas where people can witness them.

What’s unique/rare about this eclipse? When will we get to see another like it? 

This is a so-called hybrid eclipse. In some areas, it will be an annular eclipse and the moon will be surrounded by a bright ring. In other areas, such as the Ningaloo coast, it will be a total eclipse and one will see the faint crown of the Sun’s atmosphere.

Why do astronomers study eclipses? What can we learn from them about the Sun, Earth and solar system? (i.e. why are eclipses important to science?)

Total solar eclipses are rare opportunities for astronomers to test new telescopes and instrumentation for studying the Sun’s atmosphere. This includes studying the composition of the Sun’s million-degree hot corona, which is shaped by strong magnetic fields that permeate the Sun’s atmosphere and interplanetary space. These studies advance our understand of how the Sun drives space weather around Earth, and how magnetic activity on other stars affect planets around them.

What can we learn from the Sun? How does it affect life on Earth?

The Sun is one of the most amazing objects to study. It’s our closest star, providing heat and light that makes life possible here on Earth. It also emits streams charged particles and magnetised winds, which can cause beautiful aurora but can also damage satellite or even disrupt power grids on Earth. By understanding the dynamics of the Sun we can better predict this space weather to manage and protect our critical infrastructure.

For the first time since 2014, all of Australia will (weather depending) be able to view at least a partial solar eclipse. The path of totality will pass over just the most north-western extremities of WA, so those located further to the north and west of the country will receive the best show. But the effect of the eclipse will be felt nation-wide, even as far away as Melbourne, Sydney and Hobart, so it's a great excuse to take a moment and appreciate this awe-inspiring spectacle of nature.

Staying safe is critical when observing a solar eclipse. The number one rule is to never look directly at the Sun with the naked eye, as even a brief glimpse can permanently damage your eyesight. Eclipses are best viewed indirectly using a pinhole viewer (for example, a piece of card pierced by a pin or thumbtack) to project the image of the Sun onto a nearby flat surface for safe viewing. Protective eclipse glasses are another solution, but extreme care should be taken to ensure that they are both properly rated for solar viewing and are completely undamaged, as even a small scratch can allow enough light through to cause injury.

Never look directly at the Sun. It can cause serious and permanent eye damage, and that’s true even during a solar eclipse. Children’s eyes are especially vulnerable to damage.

With 20,000 to 25,000 additional visitors expected to Exmouth to experience the total solar eclipse (TSE), the additional tourism expenditure generated from this event will create additional employment in the short term in Exmouth as well as Coral Bay and Carnarvon. The additional international marketing is likely to have longer term benefits for the region too. A recently released report on the tourism sector in WA shows that marketing campaigns can have a major impact on visitor numbers to the state.

On average, a 50 per cent increase in worldwide internet search intensity about travel to WA will lead to an increase of around 130,000 visitors in the following year, generating an addition $0.5Bn in tourism related revenue. Improvements in amenities for residents and businesses in the region will support growth in the tourism sector beyond the TSE. The WA government has committed over $830,000 in business grants to help businesses to prepare for the additional tourism influx in the region, and have committed $21.1 million to upgrade road, marine and telecommunications infrastructure, as well as other facilities across the region.

But there are challenges too. Residents are well aware of the benefits of tourism for the local economy and for local amenities, they are also conscious of the potential negative impacts of tourism on the environment, as well as on housing and living costs. The TSE has further highlighted the long term difficulties in attracting and housing workers across the regions

This once-in-a-lifetime event will usually trigger a psychological desire for people to visit, associated with loss aversion – people’s fear of missing out on a once-in-a-life event. As such, we will see a surge in visitation as well as increasing media and internet exposure during the event for the region and WA. It is important for the regional areas to capitalise on the event – not only on the event itself but also offer options of what the visitors can do pre-event and after the event, encouraging them to travel to the broad regional areas and stay longer in WA. More importantly, it is a critical time to take a holistic approach to promote these regions to showcase the best part of WA, drawing people to visit if they cannot visit this time.

The total solar eclipse offers a new dimension to the region’s tourism offerings. Tourism WA is keen to promote Dark Skies Tourism, which aligns various astronomy-related elements including the Gravity Discovery Centre, Indigenous dark skies tours and the state’s emerging space industry with WA’s existing tourism offerings.

The total solar eclipse adds a new market for Exmouth, which has traditionally been focused on families, grey nomads, and water-based activities. Exmouth is already the gateway to Ningaloo Reef, a world heritage site and April combines school holidays with the start of whale shark season. The town is frequently booked out at this time of year so catering to this additional marketing will be a challenge.

The town has increased accommodation and food options using temporary campgrounds and food trucks. However, additional visitors will place more pressure on resources such as water, power and food supplies, with visitors asked to be self-sufficient. It is anticipated that towns on the road trip from Perth to Exmouth and nearby attractions will also benefit economically from the event.

While I work with Space sciences, I am still amazed with how the entire ecosystem respond to total eclipses. Birds go to sleep, bats fly around, frogs croak, and bees get confused and go silent with it as they have an extraordinary sense of timing and use the Sun for their navigation.

For me, having the chance to experience this out-of-this-world event with my very own eyes, is epic. There is nothing quite like the wonder of space and the simple yet powerful awe of looking up to inspire our community to want to know more about the Solar System and our place in it. I am so excited to see how this momentous occasion ignites a fire in the hearts and minds of our budding STEM enthusiasts and space scientists here in WA