Bobby Dazzler Newsletter
Issue #1, November 2002
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Outback Solar Eclipse
For many of us, the process to predicting what is going to happen
within the next couple of seconds on a billiard table, where balls
move in straight lines in two dimensions, and all within a couple of
metres of each other, is difficult enough. This should give us great
respect for the astronomers, who manage to predict with amazing
accuracy the relative positions of the multitudinous celestial
bodies decades--even centuries--ahead.
They can tell us for example that there will be a total solar eclipse
over parts of Cape York (Far North Queensland) on November 13th,
2012. So if you are standing in the right place on Cape York at the
right time on that day, the moon will pass in front of the sun and
entirely cover it.
A total eclipse of the sun has been described as nature's most
spectacular and awe-inspiring phenomenon. It occurs only about
once every 18 months somewhere on earth. Total solar eclipses
at a particular location can be separated by centuries. For
example, Adelaide's last total solar eclipse was in 1802--before
the city was founded--and its next is not until New Year's Day
in 2606!
The astronomers have also known for a long time that there will
be a total solar eclipse over remote parts of South Australia on
December 4th this year. "Why have we not been told?", you ask!
The media will tell you about Tom Cruise's latest girlfriend, they'll
tell you about the tragedy of Mark Waugh getting dropped from the
Australian cricket team, but an eclipse in the Outback -- no,
at least not until it's too late to do much about it except watch it
on TV or read about it in the paper.
That's the kind of thing that makes the Bobby Dazzler
Newsletter indispensable to the discerning reader.
The total eclipse will occur in the late afternoon over a narrow
strip about 32 km wide stretching from Ceduna on the coast of
the Great Australian Bight to Cameron Corner (where NSW,
South Australia and Queensland meet). Almost all the country
it passes over is desert or semi-desert.
The most popular viewing spot will be Ceduna, a small town on
the Eyre Highway, which runs 2400 kms across the Nullarbor
Plain from Adelaide to Perth.
But it will also pass over Lyndhurst, a tiny village at the
southern end of the fabled Strzelecki Track, and home to Talc
Alf, well known to many Bobby Dazzler alumni.
Lyndhurst doesn't normally have a great deal to draw the crowds,
particularly in the summer when temperatures in the 40s are
common. There's the Elsewhere Hotel, the only pub in town, and
there's the "Re-Public Toilets" (thanks to Talc Alf). If you've come
from the south, Lyndhurst marks the end of the bitumen. The
dramatic Ochre Cliffs are just a few kms north of town.
But on December 4th, all accommodation within about 100 kms
is booked out, including Marree, Leigh Creek, Farina camping
ground, even Arkaroola. A large group of American eclipse chasers
is expected. Talc Alf should make a motza!
Bobby Dazzler Tours plans to be there, and will report back in
due course.
The total blocking of the sun at the centre line of the eclipse
path (about 5 kms north of Lyndhurst) will occur for only 26
seconds, although there will be a partial eclipse for almost an
hour. (Indeed, most of the country will experience a partial
eclipse--even Sydney.)
Of course, there's no guarantee that the eclipse will be visible.
It could be blocked out by cloud, or--perhaps more likely--by
dust, given the very dry conditions in that part of the country.
We plan to take three days to get to Lyndhurst, and four days
to get back. Summer is not the most comfortable time of the
year to travel in these parts (ask Charles Sturt, or Burke and
Wills), but we hope the view will be worth it.
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For the Book Worms
The Strzelecki Track--Lifeline to the Corner Country
by Peter Donovan and June Donovan
Published by the South Australian Dept of Road Transport (1996)
This 91-page book gives a history of the Strzelecki Track (which runs
for 460 kms from Lyndhurst to Innamincka) and the area through
which it passes, from the beginnings of European exploration
through to the present day. Many pictures.
This book is probably hard to obtain, and may be out of print. If you
ask nicely, it may be borrowed from Bobby Dazzler Tours.
