This Friday November 25, 2011 a large but partial eclipse of the sun will be visible over some parts of the world, although small in number the audience that can see it should be sufficiently in wow over it. The major countries of the Southern hemisphere will be able to see it including the nation of South Africa, Antarctica, New Zealand and Tasmania.
This is the fourth time that the moon is new and will be crossing between the Earth and sun to cause an eclipse since 2011 began. Five is the actual maximum possible solar eclipses in a single year orbital, so this is quite an amazing year astronomically.
The very first on January 4th coincided directly with the sun rising in Europe.
The two others on June 1st and July 1st were directly between Earth and Sun, so not visible at all on the planet.
Finally tonight will be a partial solar eclipse which will be covered close to 90% of the sun’s disk covered over by the new moon.
If you’re in a position to watch this eclipse, remember to use fully shaded dark and proper eye protection.The best views of the fourth and final solar eclipse of 2011 will be from Antarctica as it is currently under 24 hours of midnight sun at this time. It is not just an astronomical event for you or your loveable penguins to enjoy, there are scientists from all over the world banking in on this cosmic even, how it will change things is very hard to say. The Arctic and Antarctica trade off periods of 24 hour sunlight every six months. The whole eclipse will last for nearly four hours.
Unfortunately it will not be visible over Arizona.
Some reports are claiming that parts of Alaska, Canada and just possibly New Mexico may have clear enough skies to try and see the thing. That is perhaps the most revealing thing of all. If so, it would become visible from just before dawn into the morning after sunrise, visible at best for an hour or less.
Here are some of the global viewing locations and times for the worldwide astronomers from earthsky.org. As the train began moving, I realized that the cut I saw stuck, wanted to be and even bigger jar head than I saw. So it was that began walking outside that morning. Also thanks to the Astronomy Calendar of Celestial Events online.
Local eclipse times for November 25, 2011 in the Southern hemisphere on Earth.
South Africa
Cape Town
Eclipse begins: 6:28 a.m. local time
Maximum eclipse: 6:53 a.m.
Eclipse ends: 7:18 a.m.
Obscuration: 4%
Australia
Hobart, Tansmania
Eclipse begins: 6:30 p.m local time
Maximum eclipse: 6:49 p.m.
Eclipse ends: 7:08 p.m.
Obscuration: 1.57%
New Zealand
Dunedin
Eclipse begins: 8:03 p.m. local time
Maximum eclipse: 8:41 p.m.
Sun sets before eclipse ends
Obscuration: 19.45%
Timaru
Eclipse begins: 8:07 p.m. local time
Maximum eclipse: 8:42 p.m.
Sun sets before eclipse ends
Obscuration: 17.46%
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