Lunar eclipse to grace SA’s night sky as part of eclipse season this October

 What is a lunar eclipse?

A lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes through the Earth's shadow. This can happen only during a full moon, when the Sun, Earth, and Moon are aligned. The Earth's shadow has two parts: the umbra and the penumbra. The umbra is the darkest part of the shadow, where the Sun is completely blocked out. The penumbra is the lighter part of the shadow, where the Sun is partially blocked out.

Types of lunar eclipses

There are three types of lunar eclipses:

·         Total lunar eclipse: 

This occurs when the Moon passes completely through the Earth's umbra. The Moon turns a deep red color during a total lunar eclipse, which is why it is sometimes called a "blood moon."

·         Partial lunar eclipse: 

This occurs when the Moon passes only partially through the Earth's umbra. The Moon will appear to have a "bite" taken out of it during a partial lunar eclipse.

·         Penumbral lunar eclipse: 

This occurs when the Moon passes through the Earth's penumbra. The Moon will appear slightly dimmer during a penumbral lunar eclipse, but the change is usually not very noticeable.

Lunar eclipse in South Africa on October 28, 2023

On October 28, 2023, South Africa will experience a partial lunar eclipse. The eclipse will begin at 6:05 AM and end at 8:26 AM. The maximum eclipse will occur at 7:16 AM, when about 65% of the Moon will be covered by the Earth's umbra.

How to see the lunar eclipse

The best way to see the lunar eclipse is to find a dark location with a clear view of the eastern horizon. The eclipse will be visible to the naked eye, but you can also use binoculars or a telescope to get a closer look.

Safety tips for viewing the lunar eclipse

Never look directly at the Sun, even during a lunar eclipse. The Sun's rays can damage your eyes. If you are using binoculars or a telescope to view the lunar eclipse, be sure to use a solar filter to protect your eyes.

What to expect during the lunar eclipse

During the partial lunar eclipse, the Moon will gradually become dimmer as it passes through the Earth's umbra. At the maximum eclipse, about 65% of the Moon will be covered by the Earth's umbra. The Moon will appear to have a "bite" taken out of it during the eclipse.

The Moon may also appear to have a reddish color during the lunar eclipse. This is because the only sunlight that is reaching the Moon is being filtered through the Earth's atmosphere. The Earth's atmosphere scatters shorter wavelengths of light, such as blue and green, more than it scatters longer wavelengths of light, such as red. This is why sunsets and sunrises often appear red.

Other eclipses in 2023

In addition to the partial lunar eclipse on October 28, 2023, there will also be a total solar eclipse on April 20, 2023. The total solar eclipse will be visible in Indonesia, East Timor, and Australia.

Eclipse seasons

Eclipses occur in seasons. An eclipse season is a period of about two weeks when there is a good chance of an eclipse happening. There are two eclipse seasons each year, one in the spring and one in the fall.

The spring eclipse season occurs when the Sun crosses the Earth's equator and enters the northern hemisphere. The fall eclipse season occurs when the Sun crosses the Earth's equator and enters the southern hemisphere.

Why do eclipses happen?

Eclipses happen because of the way the Sun, Earth, and Moon are aligned in space. The Sun, Earth, and Moon are all in a plane called the ecliptic plane. An eclipse occurs when the Sun, Earth, and Moon are aligned in the ecliptic plane.

Conclusion

The partial lunar eclipse on October 28, 2023 will be a beautiful and awe-inspiring sight. If you are in South Africa, be sure to find a dark location with a clear view of the eastern horizon to watch the eclipse.