VE NEWS
MULGR
Edition 34, November 2012
Total Solar Eclipse Up to 50000 visitors are expected to converge on the Region on Wednesday November 14 when Cairns and its surrounds will be plunged into darkness during a total solar eclipse.
The Mulgrave Settlers Museum has embarked on a project to tell the story of the United States 503rd Parachute Regiment which was based in Gordonvale during World War II.
The natural phenomenon will start at about 5.45am, depending on where your are located in the region on Wednesday, November 14. Gordonvale will start the show at 5.45am and finish at 7.41 am. The town will be plunged into complete darkness at 6.38 am for 1 minute and 47seconds. 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. You must be in the Path of Totality to see the total eclipse. The Cairns region is in the Path and is perfectly located to experience the full awe inspiring event. The last total solar eclipse in Cairns was in 710 AD and the next one won’t be until April 25, 2237. 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
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Settlers Museum 503rd Parachute Regiment Project The story is able to be told thanks to a generous grant from the Cairns RSL through the club community benefit fund. The 503rd Parachute Regiment were the first US airborne regiment to arrive in the Southwest Pacific Area in WWII.
and the Sun's spectacular outer atmosphere The 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment was activated at Fort Benning, Georgia, USA on 24 (the Corona) will appear. February 1942. The 503rd moved to Fort Bragg, It is important that you are properly prepared to North Carolina in March 1942. The 1st Battalion view a Solar Eclipse before it takes place. It is and 3rd Battalion of the 503rd Parachute dangerous to look directly at the sun for even a Infantry Regiment moved from Fort Bragg to San few seconds and can cause permanent retina Francisco arriving on the 16th of October 1942. damage in your eye. “A” Company of the 504th Parachute Infantry As the retina senses no pain, the damage (82nd Airborne Division) attached itself to the caused from the intense radiation the 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment on the night photosphere admits may not appear for a few of departure and travelled on the train with the hours. 503rd but retained its original designation at It is easy to stare at the sun during an eclipse, that time. as much of the sun is covered but is still unsafe.
On arrival in San Francisco they all boarded the MS Poleau Laut and departed on 20 October 1942 travelling via the Panama Canal Zone where the 501st Parachute Battalion, less "C" Company also boarded the ship. They arrived in Townsville, in north Queensland at 11:30 pm on This is done by projecting an image of the sun 1 December 1942. onto a white piece of paper using binoculars (with one side covered), a telescope or They then travelled to Cairns, and arrived at 8:45 pm on 2 December 1942. They were then another piece of cardboard which has been transported to their Camp at Gordonvale.The made into a pinhole camera (by making a non-commissioned officers and members of the small 1mm hole in it). Company participated in jump-master training The eclipse can also be viewed through from 31 May to 24 July 1943, where they spotwelder’s goggles that have a rating 14 or higher. jumped on White Field, at Gordonvale. Goggles are a fairly inexpensive method, The book is being printed and bound locally in allowing you to safely look directly at the sun. Gordonvale. The Mulgrave Settlers Museum If you can’t make it to the event the Cairns kindly thanks the Cairns RSL for their generous Regional Council has made it easy to view via a grant to be able to tell an important part of Gordonvales, history. live webcam on their website. Looking at the eclipse through a telescope of binoculars is extremely dangerous and should be avoided. Indirect projection is one of the safest ways to view an eclipse.
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