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2023 Total Solar Eclipse

Kaya ,

2023 Total Solar Eclipse, Exmouth, Western Australia
Photography credit:  Terra Australis

It's a Total Eclipse of the Marine Park

At 11.29am (AWST) today, thousands of people in Exmouth had a front-row seat for the 2023 Total Solar Eclipse. As the shadow of the moon passed over the Ningaloo (Nyinggulu) region in Western Australia, locals and visitors witnessed a 62-second ‘light show’, which put viewers in darkness.

Western Australia’s endless sunshine was on show with perfect skies optimising conditions for viewing of the Total Solar Eclipse.

Whilst Exmouth was in darkness for just over a minute, the rest of Western Australia has also experienced a partial solar eclipse. For example, the town of Onslow in the Pilbara has experienced a deep partial solar eclipse with more than 99 per cent of the sun being covered by the moon, whilst those in Perth saw 72 per cent coverage.

A Total Solar Eclipse occurs somewhere on Earth every 18 months, however, it is incredibly rare for them to pass over land, and in a place with the natural significance of Western Australia’s World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Marine Park. Exmouth and the Ningaloo region is an awe-inspiring place, home to Australia’s largest fringing reef and the dramatic gorges of Cape Range National Park.

Pink Floyd also celebrated the 50^th anniversary of its classic album DARK SIDE OF THE MOON with a once-in-a-lifetime listening event for eight lucky fans, timed to align with the album's famous final words “and the sun is eclipsed by the moon” at the moment of total eclipse – an extraordinary moment, in the most otherworldly of surrounds.

With 80 per cent of the world’s population now living under a light polluted sky, Western Australia’s vast open landscapes and low-level light pollution means it has one of the darkest night skies on the planet and one of the best places in the world to watch the stars, sun and moon journey across the sky.

The 2023 Total Solar Eclipse is one of four significant eclipses occurring in Western Australia over the next 15 years, with Durack in 2028, Geraldton in 2037 and Onslow in 2038 providing excitement for years to come.

Visual Assets:

Register through the Tourism WA image library to access destination imagery.

Images and vision of the eclipse and Dark Sky Festival will be available through Dropbox after 1.30PM (AWST).

Images of the 50th anniversary celebrations for Pink Floyd's classic album 'The Dark Side of the Moon' will be available through Dropbox after 2.00pm (AWST). Drone vision will be available here and social media video* for use on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok will be available here (*suggest using library versions of Pink Floyd’s song ‘Eclipse’ when uploading).

Interview Talent:

·         Carol Redford, CEO, Astrotourism WA

·         Rick Tonello, Chief Astronomer, Gravity Discovery Centre & Observatory

·         Greg Quicke ‘Space Gandalf’, Astronomer, Astro Tours

·         Michael Goh, Astrophotographer, Michael Goh Photography

·         Various, Fans, Pink Floyd ‘Dark Side of the Moon’ Competition Winners

Need more information? Email media@westernaustralia.com; phone Grace Richardson or Cory Gale.

ENDS

Background

About Tourism Western Australia (Tourism WA)

Tourism Western Australia (Tourism WA) is responsible for promoting Western Australia (WA) as an incredible holiday and events destination. We work with a range of people from the public and private sector to develop and promote WA's iconic tourism experiences, to attract events to the State and help the tourism industry thrive.

Walk on a Dream in Western Australia and explore the awe-inspiring attributes that make the State such a wondrous, dreamlike destination. Tourism WA's new Walking on a Dream campaign is inspired by WA's unique Aboriginal culture and inspires holidaymakers to book their next visit to WA by showcasing the State's dreamlike qualities - jaw-dropping landscapes, supernatural colour contrasts, otherworldly phenomena, immersive connections with authentic characters, and one-of-a-kind experiences that inspire a sense of unparalleled freedom.

Find out more about Western Australia, or the Ningaloo Eclipse.

Media contacts:

Grace Richardson, A/Public Relations Manager, Tourism Western Australia

M: 0410 494 206 | E: media@westernaustralia.com

Cory Gale, Senior Manager Content, Tourism Western Australia

M: 0439 242 747 | E: media@westernaustralia.com

For more information about Western Australia including events visit our website.

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