The 2028 Total Solar Eclipse
On July 22, 2028, the Moon will pass directly between the Earth and the Sun, casting its shadow across Sydney and plunging the city into darkness for 3 minutes 50 seconds. It will be the first total solar eclipse visible from Sydney since 1857 — and the last until 2858.
What Is a Total Solar Eclipse?
A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, completely blocking the Sun's bright face. This is possible because of a remarkable coincidence: while the Sun is about 400 times wider than the Moon, it's also about 400 times farther away — making them appear almost exactly the same size in our sky.
During totality, the Sun's outer atmosphere — the corona — becomes visible as a ghostly white halo. Stars and planets appear in the daytime sky. The temperature drops. Animals behave as if night has fallen. It is widely described as the most awe-inspiring natural phenomenon a person can witness.
“Seeing 99% of the Sun covered is nothing like seeing 100%. There is no substitute for being in the path of totality.”
A total solar eclipse is fundamentally different from a partial eclipse. During totality — and only during totality — you can look directly at the Sun with your naked eyes and see the corona.
Key Details
Date
July 22, 2028
Totality Duration
3 minutes 50 seconds
Totality Begins
2:01 PM AEST
Totality Ends
2:05 PM AEST
Partial Eclipse Begins
12:28 PM AEST
Partial Eclipse Ends
3:26 PM AEST
Maximum Obscuration
100%
Sun Altitude at Totality
33°
Eclipse Timeline
12:28 PM AEST
Partial eclipse begins
The Moon begins to move across the face of the Sun. At first, just a tiny bite appears on the Sun's edge.
1:30 PM AEST
Sun 50% covered
The light begins to feel noticeably strange — dimmer, with a silvery quality. Shadows sharpen. The temperature drops.
2:01 PM AEST
Totality begins
The diamond ring effect flashes, then darkness falls. The Sun's corona blazes out — a pearly white halo around the black disk of the Moon. Stars appear. The horizon glows sunset-orange in every direction.
2:05 PM AEST
Totality ends
After 3 minutes and 50 seconds, a brilliant point of light — the diamond ring — breaks through on the opposite side. Daylight rapidly returns.
3:26 PM AEST
Partial eclipse ends
The Moon clears the Sun completely. The eclipse is over — but the memory will last a lifetime.
The Path of Totality
The path of totality — the narrow strip where the Moon completely covers the Sun — will cross the Australian continent from the northwest, passing over parts of the Kimberley, the Northern Territory, and Queensland before reaching New South Wales and Sydney.
The centreline of the eclipse path passes directly over Sydney's CBD, meaning the city centre will experience the maximum duration of totality. The path is approximately 230 km wide over Sydney, so suburbs across the greater metro area — from the Blue Mountains to the Northern Beaches — will all experience totality.
However, the duration of totality decreases as you move away from the centreline. If you want the longest possible totality, aim to be as close to the centre of Sydney as possible.
Interactive eclipse path map coming soon
What You'll Experience
Before Totality
The light gradually dims with an eerie, silvery quality. Shadows sharpen. Under trees, crescent-shaped dapples appear — natural pinhole projections of the eclipsed Sun.
Shadow Bands
Minutes before totality, faint rippling bands of light race across flat surfaces — caused by the atmosphere refracting the thin remaining crescent of sunlight.
The Diamond Ring
The last sliver of sunlight shines through a valley on the Moon's edge, creating a brilliant point of light that resembles a diamond ring.
Totality
Darkness falls swiftly. The corona blazes into view — delicate white streamers extending outward. Stars appear. The horizon glows sunset-orange in every direction.
Then another diamond ring signals the end. Light returns quickly, and the world gradually returns to normal — though you never quite will.