Solar Eclipse Travel - Detailing forthcoming major solar eclipses and travel options

Why Visit A Total Solar Eclipse?

For centuries, mankind has been awe-struck by solar eclipses. The effect of a total solar eclipse is something that can only be experienced to be fully appreciated. The effect on nature of dusk falling during the day and then a fast moving shadow appearing across the ground at the time of a totality, are just two phenomena that occur on earth. In the skies above, the suns atmosphere is visible during totality - something that is hidden from us normally, by the glare of the sun at other times. A total eclipse of the sun occurs somewhere on earth, on average, every 16 months, although the period does vary between eclipses, sometimes shorter, and sometimes longer. The eclipse shadow will very rarely occur at the same location on the earth - which means people need to travel the world extensively if they wish to view several eclipses.

It is not only scientists who travel the world to view the unusual effects of a solar eclipse, but is something that has captured the imagination of many other people.
In recent years, there has been greater opportunity to travel to view an eclipse with specialised tour companies. Also there have been a number of occasions - most notably Aug 1999 - where the eclipse path has coincided with large areas of population, resulting in a great interest in solar eclipse travel.

The most recent total solar eclipse occured in Antarctica in Nov 2003. This was a really special event, as it is the first time humans have been able to see a total solar eclipse in this location. Click here to find out more about this event.

HEALTH WARNING

We advise that you do not look directly at the sun , nor use optical devices such as binoculars, to look directly at the sun, as blindness may result. Only at the time of totality is it safe to view the suns edge, and precautions should be observed.