Residents of the southern hemisphere of the planet are preparing to observe a total solar eclipse. Given that it will take over the South Pacific Ocean, and on the part of Australia, it is rare to see a few can. The European Space Agency said that their spacecraft Proba-2 will observe the eclipse from start to finish. Recall that the total solar eclipse occurs when the moon, being on the illuminated side of the planet, closes in motion a solar disk. Instead of the sun are formed dark disk, which is visible on the edges of the solar atmosphere.
According to specialists, the eclipse will occur over the south Pacific at a time when Moscow is 2:12 Wednesday night. Over the northern edge of the Australian sun will be completely closed for 4 minutes 2 seconds. For local residents will be on the light 14 degrees above the horizon. Present eclipse will begin at 19:37 GMT on November 13, when the Earth's penumbra touches the Moon. About an hour later, at 20:35 GMT, will complete phase - Moon's shadow will start its way from the north coast of Australia, from a point about 150 kilometers west of Darwin. Then a shadow crosses the Gulf of Carpentaria, and will return to the land in Queensland. The largest city in the way of the moon's shadow, "the capital of Eclipse", Cairns will be on the west coast of Australia, is home to about 150,000 people.
According to local newspaper Cairns Post, watch the eclipse in the city will come around 80,000 scientists and tourists. Watching same phenomenon from space, the unit Proba-2 will study the Sun's corona, which in normal circumstances is difficult to study. Proba-2 for the upcoming eclipse will be the second, the first unit is in July 2010. The upcoming eclipse will also be investigated with ground stations.
