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South Africans will get a rare treat tonight (on Wednesday) as we get to witness a total lunar eclipse from after 8pm till after 11pm. According to experts, the moon will turn a complete shade of red.
“A lunar eclipse of the moon occurs when the moon passes through a shadow of the earth. It can only occur at full moon when the earth is between the moon and the sun,” Professor Derck Smits said during an interview with the Sowetan.
Only under these conditions can the moon pass through the shadow of the Earth.
“The moon passes through the umbra, an umbral eclipse occurs and the moon will turn into a red colour.
“The earth's atmosphere tends to scatter blue light, this then results in only red light passing through, causing the moon to be red in colour.”
But don’t get too excited - weather expert Mnikeli Ndabambi says that people from certain parts of the country might not be so lucky.
“A frontal system will be approaching from the southwest of the country, resulting in cloudy to overcast conditions over most areas of Western Cape as well as the western part of Northern Cape. This might obscure the lunar eclipse,” Ndabambi said.
For the lucky ones, the eclipse might be visible over Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal and parts of the North West and Free State. - IOL
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Anonymous, wrote
Franklyn, wrote
Charpatter, wrote
It's definitely tonight, hopefully I can watch! Every loon I know has been here today, all affected by the full moon. I'm off to buy whiskey for my coffee.
Graham F, wrote
Anonymous, wrote
Then which one should we believe,at the time of reporting it was friday night and now has change to tonight,oh we will just wait to witness the event whether is tonight or friday it doesnt matter.
Anonymous, wrote
Anonymous, wrote
Wolf, wrote
Special-1, wrote
BBQ, wrote
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