The countdown is on to a rare total solar eclipse that will turn day into night as the sun vanishes from the sky at a remote peninsula on a Western Australian coast.
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Tens of thousands of international and interstate eclipse chasers are expected to flock to Exmouth on Thursday when the moon casts a 40 kilometre-wide shadow over the World Heritage-listed Ningaloo reef region.
"This rare and spectacular phenomenon is probably the most awe-inspiring event in the natural world," the Astronomical Society of Australia said.
The eclipse will take about three hours as the moon passes between the sun and earth in perfect alignment, with total darkness set to last about a minute from 11.29am.
"It's a unique experience. I'm looking forward to it. That 62 seconds is going to be precious," WA Chief Scientist Peter Klinken said.
"You'll see the moon moving over and then you'll get to a point ... when the sun is going to be blotted out. It's a bit like the Rolling Stones song Paint It Black.
"I want to see the sun blotted out from the sky and that's what's going to happen."
A bright corona that looks like a white halo will form around the moon during the total eclipse and some stars and planets may become visible to people on the North West Cape.
The air temperature is also likely to drop and animals may change their behaviour, with eclipse chasers urged to protect their eyesight and not look directly at the sun.
"Our last total solar eclipse was in November 2012," amateur astronomer Terry Cuttle said.
"It's been over a decade's wait for another Aussie eclipse."
Thursday's event is classified as a hybrid eclipse because it starts as an annular eclipse in the Indian Ocean before changing into a total eclipse near Exmouth.
People across Australia can also see the phenomena as a partial solar eclipse, with 77 per cent of the sun covered by the moon in Perth, 19 per cent in Sydney, 21 per cent in Melbourne and 27 per cent in Brisbane.
Events are also being held in communities and cattle stations around the Exmouth peninsula, with Carnarvon and Onslow experiencing 95 and 99 per cent partial eclipses respectively.
WA Tourism Minister Roger Cook has warned the more than 20,000 visitors expected in the remote area to be patient.
He said there will be struggles and inconvenience despite the Australian Defence Force assisting with logistics and significant upgrades to roads, camp grounds, catering and waste management facilities.
Australian Associated Press
