Total Solar Eclipse from Cairns in a hot air balloon – A few seats still available (November 14th 2012)

 

One of the most spectacular, once in a lifetime events, is about to take place right over Cairns, Tropical North Queensland and you can experience this full solar eclipse in one of the most unique ways - a hot air balloon ride.

An eclipse of the Sun occurs when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun and completely covers the Sun.  This casts a shadow that moves across the Earth's surface in what is called the Path of Totality.

At the time of the Total Eclipse, the sky will go very dark with a glowing light around the horizon, planets and bright stars will be visible and the Sun's spectacular outer atmosphere (the Corona) will appear. You must be in the Path of   Totality to see the total eclipse and as Mareeba and our hot air balloon flights are in the Path of totality, come flying as we’re well located to experience the Total Eclipse on November 14^th 2012.

Hot Air Cairns have flown daily on the Atherton Tablelands for the past 15 years, and so are intimately familiar with the requirements and permissions needed to fly in the Mareeba valley holding all the required permissions, landholder access and a full operational base right on the spot. 

Mareeba is about 40 km inland from the Coast and so has the highest chance of an unobstructed view of the Eclipse itself,  and whilst the eclipse will take some time to arrive and depart,  the peak 2 minutes of viewing at 06.38am in the morning falls in the middle of our ideal flying time.

Hot Air can offer a spectacular hot air balloon flight to see the Cairns Solar Eclipse, with 7 to 10 balloons flying that morning there will a truly spectacular sight with the glow of the hot air balloons lighting up like lanterns over the temporarily darkened Australian landscape. 

Hear the birds fall quiet, as your balloon drifts along, providing a stable platform for your eclipse viewing. 

The next total solar eclipse is not until March 2020, and the last one was 700AD showing the uniqueness of this accessible opportunity.

Ref  NASA Website Google Maps Interactive Solar Eclipse Guide

Your Itinerary 3.00am (Approx) Early Departure from Cairns to miss the traffic! 4.30am Onsite Coffee and restroom stop and briefing about the mornings activities 5.00am Arrive at launch site to see balloons being prepared 5.30am Load onto your hot air balloon, safety briefing, prepare for takeoff 5.50am Approximate takeoff time, partial solar eclipse begins 05.44 ref NASA  Flight time approx one hour, extra time will be taken in the air if operational imperatives such as fuel and flight path,  landing site needs are met.  Flight height will be approx 1000 - 3000' above ground level, (plus 900 feet above sea level)  dependant on wind conditions. 06.38 to 06.40 Time of total solar eclipse dependant on exact longitude and latitude of flight path and height of balloon ref NAS

Enquiries - Contact us by email  Full pre-payment will be required to hold bookings Special conditions apply - See here

 

Ref NASA Total Solar Eclipse Cairns

Northern and southern path limits are blue and the central line is red. ref NASA

Lat.: 16.9833° S
Long.: 145.4205° E Total Solar Eclipse
Duration of Totality: 1m40.9s
Magnitude: 1.008

Event	Date	Time (AEST)	Alt	Azi
Start of partial eclipse (C1) :	2012/11/14	05:44:54.2	001.2°	108.7°
Start of total eclipse (C2) :	2012/11/14	06:38:45.1	013.5°	105.3°
Maximum eclipse :	2012/11/14	06:39:35.3	013.7°	105.2°
End of total eclipse (C3) :	2012/11/14	06:40:25.9	013.9°	105.2°
End of partial eclipse (C4) :	2012/11/14	07:40:12.3	027.8°	102.1°

Photographing the Solar Eclipse - Find some helpful hints here

Here are some other locations if you’re not fortunate enough to come hot air ballooning for the Total Solar Eclipse.

Location	Start	Total Eclipse	Duration	End
Bloomfield	5.44am	6.37am	56sec	7.39am
Cape Tribulation	5.44am	6.37am	1min 26sec	7.39am
Mossman	5.44am	6.38am	2min 3sec	7.40am
Port Douglas beach	5.44am	6.38am	2min 3sec	7.40am
Oak Beach	5.45am	6.38am	2min 4sec	7.40am
Wangetti Beach	5.45am	6.38am	2min 3sec	7.40am
Ellis Beach	5.45am	6.38am	2min 2sec	7.40am
Palm Cove	5.45am	6.38am	2min 2sec	7.40am
Yorkeys Knob	5.45am	6.38am	2min 1sec	7.40am
Holloways Beach	5.45am	6.38am	2min	7.40am
Cairns Esplanade	5.45am	6.38am	1min 58sec	7.40am
Gordonvale	5.45am	6.38am	1min 47sec	7.41am
Babinda	5.45am	6.39am	1min 19sec	7.41am
Bramston Beach	5.45am	6.39am	1min 26sec	7.41am

 

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions Here

• Return  Cairns Transfers
• Coffee\tea before the flight
• Balloon flight during the eclipse
• Hot Breakfast after the flight in Mareeba
• Special Total Solar Eclipse 2012 commemoration flight certificate, personalised and then signed by your pilot
• Inflight photograph during the eclipse (one) with extras available for purchase

• Your ticket
• Walking shoes
• Camera
• Dress casual outdoor layered clothing. White clothing not recommended.
• Peak Hat & sunglasses
• Bottle of water

Tour Conditions: Prices are valid for travel until 31st March 2014. Conditions of Travel. For Passengers with Weight or Mobility or Pregnancy queries - please phone us to discuss before booking online. Prices are per person. All times are an INDICATION only. Please note that times do change summer/winter/spring, exact start times given on receipt of your full booking details