Yesterday, North Americans put funky glasses on and craned their necks to watch the moon pass in front of the sun. It was a rare total solar eclipse, something Kiwis haven’t had the pleasure of seeing since 1965.
However, the astronomical FOMO won't last forever. In 2028, a solar eclipse will be visible in New Zealand skies.
The celestial crossover will take place at around 4:14 PM on July 22nd and the lower South Island has the total eclipse, while the rest of the country only a partial one.
Astronomer and Otago Museum director Dr Ian Griffin is so pumped for the 2028 eclipse that he chose the house he bought 10 years ago knowing it would have a good view.
“Anyone who is on a line basically going through Queenstown and Alexandra - all those places in Central from Milford to Dunedin will be able to see what those folks in America saw,” he told Stuff.
“I bought a house 10 years ago right on the centreline of the eclipse and I intend to be sitting on my deck enjoying my view of the eclipse setting over the hills surrounding Dunedin and I really can’t wait.”
He added that because of the region and time of year, there will be some once-in-a-lifetime photo opportunities.
“Of course, it’s the middle of winter and the sun will be low in the sky but that makes for some amazing pictures if we do get clear skies, so I’m particularly excited about it.”
“If you’re in Milford Sound the sun will be setting behind Mitre Peak - eclipsed, and that really will be a picture for the ages.”
2028 NZ eclipse route. Credit: Stuff
You can’t say you weren’t warned if you find yourself without eclipse glasses in July 2028!
