Blood moon coming soon to a clear sky near you
On your marks, get ready... SHOOT! (with your camera that is)
A total lunar eclipse, culminating in a “blood moon”, will be visible to all South Africans on Friday (July 27).
This is the result of the earth’s shadow covering the moon and creating what is commonly called the red moon or blood moon.
According to Canon SA the lunar eclipse is the “most dramatic” of eclipses and is an ideal opportunity for aspiring photographers to capture a rare moment.
“A lunar eclipse is a rare cosmic sight,” said Dana Eitzen, corporate and marketing communications executive at Canon South Africa.
“For centuries these events have inspired wonder, interest and sometimes fear among observers.
“Of course, if you are lucky to be around when one occurs, you would want to capture it all on camera.”
At about 7.14pm on Friday the total lunar eclipse will be visible in South Africa.
It will last until the early hours of Saturday (July 28) until 1.28am.
The light of the sun will be blocked by the earth as it passes in front of the moon.
As bands of green and violet light are filtered through the atmosphere, the moon will appear to be red.
This process is known as Rayleigh scattering.
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The partial eclipse will begin at 8.24pm when the moon will start to turn red.
At about 9.30pm the total eclipse will occur and this is when the moon will be completely red.
Around 10.21pm the eclipse will reach its peak.
When this stage is reached, the moon is closest to the centre of the shadow.
David Noton, Canon ambassador and acclaimed landscape photographer, provided these tips for those who want to capture the moment:
• Download the right apps to be in the know.
• Invest in a lens with optimal zoom.
• Use a tripod to capture the intimate details.
• Integrate the moon into your landscape.
• Master the shutter speed for your subject.
For more information visit www.canon.co.za
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