Cairns attracts eclipse spotters
Lunar lure: A partial solar eclipse is seen at sunrise Pakistan last week. Cairns will be the best viewing point for a total eclipse in 2012.
CAIRNS has been rated the world's best location to view a rare eclipse in 2012, with thousands of sky-watchers tipped to descend on the city for the event.
On November 14, 2012, Cairns will be prime real estate for those wanting to see a total eclipse of the sun.
The path of the moon across the sun will take it across northern Australia with Cairns rated the best location for eclipse viewers.
The eclipse - which will last two minutes - will occur just after sunrise at 6.39am after which it will move out across unpopulated areas of the South Pacific.
Solar eclipses are major international happenings and communities throughout the world have turned them into big events.
In 2002, more than 40,000 gathered outside Ceduna on the South Australian coast to witness the total eclipse, with some sources saying thousands of the watchers were from overseas.
Last week, a total eclipse crossed China and the South Pacific, and cruise lines have been doing great business from passengers wanting to experience the brief encounter.
In Shanghai, hotels offering special eclipse packages were booked out well in advance by guests from Japan, the US and Europe.
Shanghai Sculpture Park, one of the best viewing locations in the city, sold more than 2000 tickets, which included special glasses and a commemorative T-shirt.
Advance Cairns regional development officer Margaret Darveniza said an event - possibly a festival - was being planned on the Atherton Tableland to coincide with the eclipse.
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