Home | News | WATCH TOTAL LUNAR ECLIPSE FROM CITY TOMORROW NIGHT

WATCH TOTAL LUNAR ECLIPSE FROM CITY TOMORROW NIGHT

26/07/2018 02:49:00 BY PHEPHILE MOTAU

Font size:

MBABANE – EmaSwati have a chance to witness a phenomenon which has got sky watchers enthusiasts all around the world excited tomorrow night.

The total lunar eclipse which will take place tomorrow will be visible all over southern Africa, according to the Astronomical Society of Southern Africa (ASSA).
A lunar eclipse occurs when the moon passes directly behind earth into its shadow. It can only occur during a full moon and they take place when the sun, earth and moon are aligned exactly or very closely so, with the planet in between.

According to the society, this will be a historical eclipse as it will last three hours and 55 minutes, making it the longest eclipse of this century. Additionally, near the eclipsed ‘blood moon’ tomorrow will be the ‘red planet’ Mars shining at its brightest in 15 years.

According to South African publication, Eye Witness News(EWN),the eclipse can be viewed from 8.24pm and all of this will be easily visible with the naked eye.
“The moon will start changing shape as it enters the shadow of the Earth at 8:24pm. From 9:30pm until 11:13pm, it will be totally eclipsed, but faintly lit by light refracted by the Earth’s atmosphere, which should give it a pale reddish colour. At 11:13pm, the moon starts recovering from the eclipse, which will be over by 12:19am,” ASSA reportedly said.

According to www.timeanddate.com, the lunar eclipse will be at its maximum in Mbabane at 10.21pm.
The next total lunar eclipse which will be visible in southern Africa will be in the early morning of May16, 2022.
The good news is that the weather will permit emaSwati to view the lunar eclipse, as clear skies have been predicted on the day.
According to Eric Seyama of the Swaziland Meteorological Service, the weather will be cool to cold; therefore people will be able to go outside to view the occurrence. He said the temperatures on the night would range between 5 degrees Celsius and 9 degrees Celsius.