DO not forget to look up into the night sky on Friday evening to be part of history, when a total lunar eclipse takes place, which can be seen in South Africa from 9.30pm to 11.13pm.
A total lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes directly behind Earth and into its shadow.
This occurs when the Sun, Earth and Moon are aligned exactly or very closely with the planet in between.
Therefore a lunar eclipse can occur only on the night of a full moon.
The total phase of the ‘blood moon’ eclipse will last 1 hour and 43 minutes, during which Earth’s natural satellite will turn a spectacular red or ruddy-brown colour.
This happens because the only light reflected from the lunar surface has been refracted by Earth’s atmosphere. This light appears reddish for the same reason that a sunset or sunrise does – know as the Rayleigh scattering of bluer light.
Owing to this reddish colour, a totally eclipsed Moon is sometimes called a ‘blood moon’.
The eclipse will not be visible to viewers in North America, except via webcasts.
But observers in much of Africa, the Middle East, Southern Asia and the Indian Ocean region will get an eyeful, given cooperative weather.
This eclipse will be the longest of the century.
The next total lunar eclipse is expected on 21 January 2019 which will be visible from North America.
Totality on that day will last 1 hour and 2 minutes, and the eclipse will especially favour viewers on the west coast.
There are others expected on 26 May 2021, 16 May 2022 and 8 November 2022.
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