A total lunar eclipse will be visible from South Africa next Wednesday, 15th June 2011, the South African Astronomical Observatory says. A lunar eclipse occurs when the moon moves into the shadow of the Earth, preventing the rays of the sun from striking the moon. It will be visible completely over Africa, and Central Asia, visible rising over South America, western Africa, and Europe, and setting over eastern Asia.
"Though lunar eclipses happen at least twice a year, any given eclipse will only be visible from certain parts of the world. Furthermore, total lunar eclipses are also rarer," said the observatory.
The eclipse will start happening at 8.23pm and the total eclipse will last from 9.22pm to 11.03pm.
"During the total lunar eclipse, the moon will most likely have a dark copper red hue on it. This is because a great quantity of the blue light will be removed by the earth's atmosphere through scattering of small particles, letting mainly the red part of the sunlight through."
The eclipse will start happening at 8.23pm and the total eclipse will last from 9.22pm to 11.03pm.
"During the total lunar eclipse, the moon will most likely have a dark copper red hue on it. This is because a great quantity of the blue light will be removed by the earth's atmosphere through scattering of small particles, letting mainly the red part of the sunlight through."
Guests visiting our country should be encouraged to view it.
The next total eclipse will be visible from SA in September 2015.
Source: News24, Mail & Guardian
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