Reach for the stars and prepare for the biggest “super moon” total lunar eclipse in more than thirty years.
This exciting phenomenon will be taking place during the early hours of Monday morning for South Africa and parts of Europe, and in the evening for the Americans.
Astronomer Dr Claire Flanagan told The Star this morning that a lunar eclipse is when the moon moves into the shadow of the Earth.
“The red colour is caused by the way the light rays move through the shadow of the Earth. It’s the same reason why the sunset is red. The darkened moon reflects the light from a whole lot of sunsets around the world,” Flanagan explained.
What makes this lunar eclipse more special than usual is that it is coinciding with a super moon which is when the moon is at its closest orbital point to the Earth.
“A super moon in itself is not that abnormal… the moon will look larger than usual as it coincides with the lunar eclipse,” Flanagan said.
This is the final lunar eclipse to take place in what is known as a lunar tetrad of eclipses.
A tetrad is the term for four total lunar eclipses happening at six-month intervals.
Flanagan said the lunar eclipse will be visible across South Africa, beginning from early on Monday morning.
It will start at 3.07am and the total eclipse will take place between 4.11am and 5.25am.
“The end of the eclipse will take place as the moon is setting and the sun is rising so people should get out a little earlier than usual. Take a look for the moon low in the west,” she added.
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