On April 8, 2023, a rare and unusual solar eclipse will grace the sky. Known as a “hybrid” eclipse, it will be a peculiar event as it will change its type from an annular eclipse to a total eclipse within its path. This hybrid eclipse will traverse a path from the Pacific Ocean, making its way across the Americas and ending in the Atlantic Ocean. It’s a celestial event not to be missed, but before you stargaze, here are seven things you need to know about this week’s rare and strange ‘hybrid’-total eclipse of the sun.
On April 20, 2023, a rare and unique celestial event will occur in the southern hemisphere. A total solar eclipse will take place, and the Moon will completely block the Sun for just under 76 seconds. This eclipse will be known as a “hybrid” or annular-total solar eclipse, and it will be visible from some of the remotest locations in the world, including Western Australia, Timor-Leste, and West Papua.
For eclipse enthusiasts, this is a significant event that they would not want to miss. Eclipse-chasers from all over the world will travel to these locations, both on land and on cruise ships and yachts, to witness this spectacular event. Here’s everything you need to know about this rare event:
1. It’s only visible from the southern hemisphere
The eclipse’s path of totality will be in the southern hemisphere, covering an 8,000 miles-long path that is only 25 miles wide. This path will mainly occur at sea, starting as an eclipsed sunrise near the Kerguelen Islands and then moving across Western Australia, Timor Leste, and West Papua before ending close to the Marshall Islands as a beaded sunset.
2. One of the poorest and most beautiful countries is in prime position
Although Timor Leste has a slightly higher chance of cloud than Exmouth in Western Australia, it is in the prime position to experience the longest totality, which will last for 76 seconds. Despite being one of the world’s poorest countries, Timor Leste boasts a slice of tropical heaven, with great seafood and coral reefs just off its beaches. The places to be in Timor Leste will be Beaco on the southeast coast or Com on the east coast.
3. It’s technically a ‘hybrid’ solar eclipse
The eclipse is known as a hybrid solar eclipse, which means that it will swap from being an annular or “ring of fire” eclipse, which requires solar eclipse glasses to view, to a total solar eclipse, which can be seen with the unaided eye. This is due to the curvature of the Earth, bringing that part of the path closer to the Sun. Despite its rarity, viewers will see a “normal” total solar eclipse during the event.
4. Some very remote islands will get totality
Totality will cover some of the most remote reefs and islands in the Indian Ocean, including the Montebello Islands Marine Park, which was previously the site of atomic bomb testing in the 1950s. Similarly, Scott and Seringapatam Reefs, some 190 miles off the Kimberley Coast in Western Australia, will experience a short totality. However, the most interesting place to be will be Ashmore Reef, around 200 miles off the coast, where seabirds, turtles, whale sharks, and dugongs can be seen during a short totality.
5. This will be an exclusive eclipse experience
Only a few people will get the chance to witness the totality of the solar eclipse. Only 50,000 people are expected to make the trip to Exmouth Peninsula in Western Australia to see the totality, where the permanent population is around 5,000. Other populated places where the totality will be visible are Timor-Leste and West Papua, giving a combined population of 375,000 people in their path of totality. That’s only 0.004% of humans.
6. Southeast Asia will see a big partial solar eclipse
Although the brief totality will be difficult to experience, a significant partial eclipse of about 50% of the Sun will be visible to 693 million people across Southeast Asia and Australia. A partial solar eclipse is a much lesser event than totality, but it’s still worthwhile to see with solar eclipse glasses.
7. It happens in ‘whale shark’ season
The Ningaloo Coast of Western Australia and Cenderawasih Bay in West Papua, both of which will experience a total solar eclipse, are meeting places for whale sharks. These creatures are the world’s largest fish and are known to hang around Exmouth close to the Ningaloo Reef between March and August and all year round in West Papua. This makes them the main attraction for tourists, and swimming with them during the totality of the solar eclipse will be an unparalleled experience.
In conclusion, the April 20, 2023 solar eclipse is one of the rarest and strangest celestial events that we can witness in our lifetime. It will only be visible from remote places in the southern hemisphere and will provide one of the most exclusive eclipse experiences. Although there will be challenges, including cloud coverage and traveling to remote locations, it provides a fantastic opportunity to explore parts of the world that are rarely visited and to witness an astronomical marvel that will leave an indelible impression.
