Chasing shadows: How to watch the solar eclipse in style

By Grace Wong, for CNN

Updated 0951 GMT (1751 HKT) November 13, 2012

On November 14, northern Australia and the southern Pacific Ocean will witness a total solar eclipse. To mark the event, stargazers are organizing cultural celebrations and adventure travel events. Click through the gallery to see seven of the best ways to experience the rare celestial light-show.
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Seven ways to experience the total eclipse – On November 14, northern Australia and the southern Pacific Ocean will witness a total solar eclipse. To mark the event, stargazers are organizing cultural celebrations and adventure travel events. Click through the gallery to see seven of the best ways to experience the rare celestial light-show.
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The Solar Eclipse Marathon in Port Douglas, northern Queensland, bills itself as the first sporting event with an "intergalactic start gun" -- the race begins the instant totality ends, just as the sun begins to re-emerge. About 350 runners will take part in the event.
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Solar eclipse marathon – The Solar Eclipse Marathon in Port Douglas, northern Queensland, bills itself as the first sporting event with an "intergalactic start gun" -- the race begins the instant totality ends, just as the sun begins to re-emerge. About 350 runners will take part in the event.
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Australian eco-tour operator, <a href="http://www.smallworldjourneys.com.au" target="_blank">Small World Journeys</a>, is staging a Tropical Island Eclipse trip that includes luxury accommodation on the gorgeous Fitzroy Island adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef. Stargazers will watch the eclipse from the island paradise's 900-foot summit and attend an astronomy presentation given by Nobel Prize winner Dr. Brian Schmidt.
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Tropical island paradise – Australian eco-tour operator, Small World Journeys, is staging a Tropical Island Eclipse trip that includes luxury accommodation on the gorgeous Fitzroy Island adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef. Stargazers will watch the eclipse from the island paradise's 900-foot summit and attend an astronomy presentation given by Nobel Prize winner Dr. Brian Schmidt.
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Viewers who want to get a closer look can take to the skies in a hot-air balloon ride over the Atherton Tablelands, located west of Cairns. Up to a dozen balloons will take off at sunrise and stay up during the eclipse.
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Hot-air baloon flight – Viewers who want to get a closer look can take to the skies in a hot-air balloon ride over the Atherton Tablelands, located west of Cairns. Up to a dozen balloons will take off at sunrise and stay up during the eclipse.
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Most of the eclipse will occur over the water, and there's no shortage of opportunities for an aquatic viewing. Several sea kayaking tours are operating in Cape Tribulation, the stunning area where the Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics Rainforest meet.
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Kayaking on the Cape – Most of the eclipse will occur over the water, and there's no shortage of opportunities for an aquatic viewing. Several sea kayaking tours are operating in Cape Tribulation, the stunning area where the Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics Rainforest meet.
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From luxury catamarans to dive boats, several sailing vessels will be departing Port Douglas and Cairns. Operators such as <a href="http://www.passions.com.au/" target="_blank">Passions of Paradise</a> are giving passengers the chance to jump in the water to snorkel the moment the moon completely blocks the sun so they can see how the marine life of the Great Barrier Reef behave during the natural phenomenon.
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Eclipse on the reef – From luxury catamarans to dive boats, several sailing vessels will be departing Port Douglas and Cairns. Operators such as Passions of Paradise are giving passengers the chance to jump in the water to snorkel the moment the moon completely blocks the sun so they can see how the marine life of the Great Barrier Reef behave during the natural phenomenon.
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Australia is synonymous with gorgeous beaches, and plenty of visitors will be heading to the beaches around Cairns and Port Douglas to watch the solar eclipse. Those seeking an even more special experience can saddle up and take a horse riding tour along Wonga Beach.
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Beach horse riding – Australia is synonymous with gorgeous beaches, and plenty of visitors will be heading to the beaches around Cairns and Port Douglas to watch the solar eclipse. Those seeking an even more special experience can saddle up and take a horse riding tour along Wonga Beach.
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Those who want to experience the natural event in the wild are headed to the Eclipse 2012 Festival, which is taking place in the middle of bushland about three hours from Cairns. The site is remote to say the least -- there's no cell reception, and festival goers are advised to look out for potentially dangerous critters, including wild dingoes and feral pigs. But campers are spoiled for choice when it comes to entertainment at the music, art and healing festival.
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Camping in the outback – Those who want to experience the natural event in the wild are headed to the Eclipse 2012 Festival, which is taking place in the middle of bushland about three hours from Cairns. The site is remote to say the least -- there's no cell reception, and festival goers are advised to look out for potentially dangerous critters, including wild dingoes and feral pigs. But campers are spoiled for choice when it comes to entertainment at the music, art and healing festival.
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Story highlights

  • A total solar eclipse will occur on November 14 over northern tip of Australia
  • Up to 60,000 eclipse chasers expected to descend on region to watch the event
  • From an island paradise to a hot air balloon, there are many novel ways to experience it
Susie Kalimnios has traveled thousands of miles for two spectacular minutes.
The mother of three from Montauk, New York, is in Australia for what she's hoping will be "the experience of a lifetime."
She has made a pilgrimage to Australia's remote Far North Queensland region to witness a total solar eclipse.
For just a few ethereal minutes on the morning of November 14, the nation's northernmost tip will be plunged in to complete darkness, as the moon aligns precisely between the earth and the sun.
Kalimnios will certainly not be alone. Despite the relatively secluded viewing location, up to 60,000 eclipse chasers are expected to descend on the region and a flurry of eclipse-themed events -- from hot air balloon rides to snorkling expeditions -- are in store to mark the occasion.
For her part, Kalimnios will be running in the Solar Eclipse Marathon, a race that begins the moment the first shard of light emerges from behind the moon -- creating what the event organizers describe as an "intergalactic starting gun."