Western Australia’s second total solar eclipse in five years will cross our coastline on 22 July 2028. It’s only four years until the spectacle of the Moon’s shadow is once again cast over WA.
Exmouth was the ideal location to see the most recent total solar eclipse visible from WA. That event was in April 2023 when almost 20,000 people made their way to the Ningaloo coast to witness one of nature’s most awe-inspiring phenomenon.
Attention now turns to the Kimberley where visitors will be able to stand in the shadow of the Moon in places like Purnululu National Park and Lake Argyle. The towns of Kununurra and Wyndam are also in the path of the total solar eclipse.
The 2028 total solar eclipse makes a path diagonally across Australia. It begins in the Indian Ocean, crossing over Cocos Keeling and Christmas Islands before reaching the Kimberley in WA. After WA, it will then cross Northern Territory, Queensland and New South Wales when the entire city of Sydney will plunge into the shadow of the Moon. The eclipse then makes its way to New Zealand and crosses the lower part of the South Island, including Queenstown and Dunedin.
A total solar eclipse occurs when the Earth, Moon and Sun form a perfect alignment in space. From Earth, the disc of the Moon moves in front of and blocks out the disc of the Sun. “Totality” is the time when the Sun is completely blocked by the Moon. This may last as little as a minute but can last as long as five or more minutes. In the Kimberley, totality of the 2028 eclipse will last up to five minutes and 10 seconds depending on your location.
Why WA’s Kimberley is the Top Spot for Eclipse 2028
Carol Redford, CEO Astrotourism WA witnessed the total solar eclipse in Exmouth in 2023 and said it was a fantastic opportunity for eclipse chasers to travel to a new part of the world they may not have previously considered.
“Chasers travel to very remote parts of the globe to see total solar eclipses. In 2028, visitors will be able to choose between many locations across Australia and New Zealand. However, I think the Kimberley will be the most popular choice as it has the greatest eclipse totality which is the length of time that the Moon completely blocks out the Sun.”
Donna Vanzetti from Star Tracks Astro Events who also travelled to witness the 2023 Eclipse said, “It is a moment unlike anything I have ever experienced before, incredible, moving and unforgettable! I will be there for the next one!”
There are three good reasons that visitors may choose the Kimberely as their preferred location to witness the total solar eclipse on 22 July 2028.
Greatest Duration of Totality in the Kimberley
The Kimberley will witness the greatest duration of totality which will last for five minutes and 10 seconds when the Moon will completely block out the Sun. This location in the Kimberley isn’t accessible, however at the point on Great Northern Highway which intersects the eclipse centre line just south of Durack, totality will be five minutes and three seconds. As the Moon’s shadow traverses the Australian continent, the length of totality decreases and is only three minutes and 43 seconds by the time it gets to Sydney.
Favourable Weather
As this total solar eclipse is in July, the weather conditions are more favourable in the northern parts of Australia. “Weather is one of the important factors that chasers consider when choosing the location to witness an eclipse. The best chance of a cloud-free sky gives a visitor the optimum opportunity to witness the event. If there is more chance of cloud, there is more chance that the eclipse is hidden from view.” Redford said.
Kimberley First to See Eclipse
The third reason the Kimberley will be a popular choice to see the eclipse is the fact that the area is first to see it after Cocos Keeling and Christmas Islands. Redford said, “A total solar eclipse is a big global story, and they draw attention from right around the world. The Kimberley offers a great location to see this eclipse first. That’s especially important for the media and anyone who needs to generate stories.”
Total Solar Eclipses occur approximately every 18 months somewhere on Earth. However, it might take between 200-300 years for a total solar eclipse to cross the same place on Earth. This is what makes total solar eclipses special for each place where they occur.
Note: Looking directly at the Sun is unsafe except during the brief total phase (“totality”) of a total solar eclipse, when the Moon entirely blocks the Sun’s bright face. This happens only within the narrow path of totality. For more information on safety visit the American Astronomical Society.
More Eclipse info
As the time approaches for the total solar eclipse on 22 July 2028, more information will appear.