New Zealand city sees hotel bookings two years ahead of 2028 total solar eclipse
9 reported
Hotels in Dunedin, New Zealand, are booking out two years in advance as the city prepares for the region’s first total solar eclipse in more than 850 years. The eclipse is scheduled for 4.17pm on 22 July 2028, when the moon will pass in front of the sun, casting a roughly 100km-wide shadow across parts of southern New Zealand. The band of totality will stretch from Queenstown to Dunedin, plunging the area into daytime darkness for 2 minutes and 51 seconds. The Dunedin Leisure Lodge was fully booked for its “solar eclipse package” by Thursday, and roughly 35,000 visitors are expected in the city of 130,000. Dunedin’s museum started a two-year countdown on Wednesday, and the city is planning a night-sky festival beginning with Matariki, the Māori new year, and continuing through to the eclipse. Astronomer Dr Ian Griffin, who has been preparing for the event since 2013, said the last total solar eclipse visible from Dunedin was in 1163, before humans reached New Zealand.
What’s reported
The total solar eclipse will occur at 4.17pm on 22 July 2028.
The shadow band is roughly 100km wide, covering Queenstown to Dunedin.
Daytime darkness will last 2 minutes and 51 seconds.
The Dunedin Leisure Lodge was fully booked for its solar eclipse package by Thursday.
Roughly 35,000 visitors are expected in Dunedin, which has a population of 130,000.
The last total solar eclipse visible from Dunedin was in 1163.
The last total solar eclipse visible anywhere in New Zealand was in 1965.
Dunedin is planning a night-sky festival from Matariki through the eclipse.
Dr Ian Griffin said he bought his house based on the eclipse visibility.
Key figures
Dr Ian Griffin, astronomer and director of Tūhura Otago Museum
Sophie Barker, mayor of Dunedin
Sources: The Guardian
