Nov 13, 2012

Total eclipse of the Australian heart

Nick Tann 0 Comment Technology, World Australia, eclipse, solar eclipse

The second solar eclipse of 2012 occured above northern Australia just moments ago giving thousands of observers in Queensland an early morning treat. The 2 minute and 5 second total eclipse welcomed the day as the moon crossed in front of the Sun just 14° above the eastern horizon.

Previously this year, the western U.S. was treated to a ‘ring of fire‘ eclipse in May. Today’s events came a decade after Australia’s last solar eclipse and were the first in the region in over 1,300 years.

: Telescopic cameras and computer equipment are set up on Palm Cove beach in preparation to run a live stream via NASA of the total solar eclipse on November 13, 2012 in Cairns, Australia. (Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

: A USA sticker is seen on telescopic camera equipment on Palm Cove beach in preparation to run a live stream via NASA of the total solar eclipse on November 13, 2012 in Cairns, Australia. (Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

: Spectators line the beach to view the total solar eclipse on November 14, 2012 in Palm Cove, Australia. (Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

: Rain showers fall as tourists look at a cloudy sky as a full solar eclipse begins in the northern Australian city of Cairns November 14, 2012. (Tim Wimborne/Reuters)

: Spectators line the beach to view the total solar eclipse on November 14, 2012 in Palm Cove, Australia. (Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

: Near totality is seen during the solar eclipse at Palm Cove on November 14, 2012 in Palm Cove, Australia. (Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

: Spectators use an eclipse viewer to watch the total solar eclipse on November 14, 2012 in Palm Cove, Australia. (Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

: Tourists watch as the moon blocks the sun as it approaches a full solar eclipse in the northern Australian city of Cairns November 14, 2012. (Tim Wimborne/Reuters)

: The Diamond Ring effect is shown following totality of the solar eclipse at Palm Cove in Australia’s Tropical North Queensland on November 14, 2012. (Greg Wood/AFP/Getty Images

: A spectator views the solar eclipse through special eclipse viewing glasses on November 14, 2012 in Palm Cove, Australia. (Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

: Totality is shown during the solar eclipse at Palm Cove in Australia’s Tropical North Queensland on November 14, 2012. (Greg Wood/AFP/Getty Images)