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Astrotourism WA founder Carol Redford to talk about opportunities for Mid West

Phoebe PinGeraldton Guardian
Astrotourism WA founder Carol Redford getting ready to photograph a solar eclipse in America in 2017.
Camera IconAstrotourism WA founder Carol Redford getting ready to photograph a solar eclipse in America in 2017. Credit: Supplied

The development of astrotourism opportunities in the Mid West and beyond was a talking point at the recent State tourism conference in Geraldton, with an approaching solar eclipse expected to attract tens of thousands of people into WA.

Presenting at the WA Regional Tourism Conference last week, Astrotourism WA founder Carol Redford gave examples of how local governments across the State have used their night sky to create unique tourism opportunities over the past three years.

Activities around stargazing and astrophotography have been developed in preparation for a rare total solar eclipse on April 20, 2023.The phenomenon occurs when the Earth, Moon and Sun align in a straight line in space.

Exmouth is one of the best places in the world where "eclipse chasers" can watch the disc of the Moon cover the face of the Sun, with Ms Redford saying people from all over the world are expected to travel for the event — COVID-19 restrictions permitting

“It is going to be a little bit hard with the pressure brought by the crowd if we get tens of thousands of people wanting to come into Exmouth,” she said.

“It is an amazing event and we really need to work together as a State to help Exmouth through this and make sure that everybody who visits has a really safe and positive experience.”

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