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 . '' `` It is the combination of the solar eclipse and the marathon that made this a must-do for me , '' Kalimnios says . `` This is only going to happen once and ( it 's ) an experience I 'll never ever be able to do again . '' More from CNN Celebrates : The many customs of Diwali . Keith Mansfield , an author from London , is making the journey so he can finally experience a `` proper total eclipse . '' A self-described space geek , Mansfield is the author of the Johnny Mackintosh books -- a children 's series he describes as `` Harry Potter in space . '' Mansfield witnessed a total eclipse of the sun in Cornwall in the UK in 1999 , but it was cloudy . Even though conditions were n't the best , the memory remained with him , and he 's been waiting to experience that moment of complete darkness ever since . `` It 's just a remarkable coincidence that the moon is exactly the same size in the sky as the sun . What are the chances of that ? '' Wonders Mansfield , whose viewing perch will be the luxuriously tropical Fitzroy Island adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef . Rick Brown , a commodities trader from New York who 's been hooked on eclipses since he saw one first in 1970 , is part of the tourism boom . He 's been leading eclipse safaris all over the world for two decades . This year , he 's guiding a group of about 50 in Australia , marking his 13th tour . A one-man show , Brown personally handles all the tour arrangements , from restaurants to lodging to the all-important viewing point . His group will watch the eclipse from a beach just outside the picturesque town of Port Douglas . With a large group , the anticipation leading up to the event is a big part of the fun , he says . `` There 's a lot of excitement that builds up before the first moment when the moon kisses the sun . '' And while `` totality is probably the fastest few minutes you can probably live through , '' the short duration does n't minimize the experience . `` It 's a phenomenal thing to see , '' he says . More from CNN Celebrates : Take the Diwali quiz . Tours like Brown 's are part of a growing eclipse tourism industry that encompasses everything from luxury cruises to music and art festivals . All the activity provides a nice economic boost . The Cairns Regional Council estimates the eclipse will inject 75 million Australian dollars ( about 75 million USD ) into the local economy and add nearly 400 jobs . If there 's anyone who 's been a witness to the rise in eclipse tourism over the years , it 's Jay Pasachoff , a professor of astronomy at Williams College who will be viewing his 56th solar eclipse . Nowadays , people who want to see an eclipse will travel to do so , he says . `` It 's the most remarkable spectacle that anyone can see . I remember each of the eclipses I 've seen . Each one has its own story . '' A total eclipse of the sun is n't just a striking experience , he notes , but also a rare opportunity for scientists to learn more about the sun and the universe . `` Scientifically there are special things we can study on the sun that we ca n't observe at any other time , '' says Pasachoff , who will use the few minutes of totality to learn more about the motion and structure of the corona , the sun 's outer atmosphere . Whether a first-time stargazer or a veteran astronomer , there 's something all eclipse watchers in Australia are hoping for : clear weather . Overcast skies diminish visibility , but if the clouds remain at bay , a thrilling and unforgettable moment awaits .
A total solar eclipse will occur on November 14 over northern parts of India . Up to 60,000 storm chasers have to descend on region to watch the eclipse . From an island paradise to a hot air balloon , there are many novel ways to experience it .