When is Australia's next total solar eclipse?

While North America goes wild for a rare total solar eclipse that travelled from Mexico to Canada, Australian skywatchers unfortunately missed out - this time.

The eclipse, which was watched by an estimated crowd of tens of millions, turned midday black and chill across the continent.

Australia had its own solar eclipse, over the north-west of Western Australia, almost exactly a year ago, in April 2023. But when is our next?

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What is a 'total solar eclipse'?

The eclipse takes place when the moon passes between Earth and the sun, casting a shadow on Earth that blocks all light.

A solar corona - a ring of light around the edges of the moon - is usually seen.

Throughout history, eclipses have been taken as portents and omens in different cultures, despite being naturally occurring celestial events.

View gallery

The North American solar eclipse in pictures

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When is Australia's next one?

It's a comparatively short wait for us - just four years, until 2028.

And it sounds like it'll be a doozy.

"Unlike the last total solar eclipse that only glanced the north-west corner of the country, the next event will cut a path across the country staring in the Kimberley district of WA, passing across the country's vast Red Centre before going directly over Sydney on the east coast," Weatherzone reported.

"The 2028 total solar eclipse will be a big event for Australia as it will pass over parts of five states and territories, including Sydney, which has a population of over five million."

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