Partial Solar Eclipse
Public Outreach
Wednesday, 12th August 2026 (18:00 - 20:00)
Venue: The J.A. Jones Hoober Observatory
There is no official event going on at the observatory though a few members will be present to answer queries and show part of the eclipse through suitable equipment. Please note that you will not be able to see the full eclipse from the observatory.
The geography of our location is against us. The partial solar eclipse will begin at 6:13pm with the upper limb of the Sun some 20 degrees above the "sea level" horizon, maximum coverage of the Sun occurs at 7:10pm with the upper limb of the Sun just 12 degrees above the "sea level" horizon.
The last contact occurs when the upper limb of the Sun is just over 2 degrees above "sea level" horizon. We stress the "sea level" horizon as from the observatory we look to our Western horizon towards the hoober stand and a bank of trees. The top of the trees and Hoober stand is some 40 meters higher than the observatory meaning or horizon to the sunset in the west is some 7.5 degrees above what would be the "sea level" horizon. This means that we will really only be able to see only the first half of the partial eclipse before the Sun disappears below the tree line.
You are however be welcome to join us but we do not plan to have any "organised" event but you should be able to look through any telescopes present.
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
