Today’s Word of the Day is to acknowledge the total solar eclipse best visible in Cairns and Port Douglas.

Today’s WOTD – 14 November 2012

umbraphile

[uhm-brah-fahyl]

noun

– one who love eclipses, often travelling to see them.

‘In mid-November 2012, umbraphiles from across the country, travelled to North Queensland to view that area’s first total solar eclipse in 1302 years’.

Today’s quote

‘Astronomers are greatly disappointed when, having traveled halfway around the world to see an eclipse, clouds prevent a sight of it; and yet a sense of relief accompanies the disappointment’.

– Simon Newcomb

On this day

14 November 1868 – birth of Steele Rudd, Australian author, (pen-name for Arthur Hoey Davis). Wrote ‘On Our Selection‘, which introduced Australia to ‘Dad and Dave’. Died 11 October 1935.

14 November 2012 – Total solar eclipse visible from Cairns, North Queensland, Australia. Other areas will see a partial eclipse. The last total eclipse for Cairns was in 710AD, with the next one not expected for another 225 years.  The best view will be around Port Douglas and Palm Cove from 7.40am. The eclipse can be watched online at: http://www.couriermail.com.au/travel/australia/watch-the-far-north-queensland-solar-eclipse-live/story-e6freqwx-1226515142164