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Lunar Eclipse


Fier

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As all of us rely on satellites for our GPSrs to work, it would be in our nature to think about interesting events that occur in near outer space. If anybody is interested, there is a total Lunar eclipse on Thursday morning. The next one visible from South Africa is in 7 years.

 

Just copying the summary from the planetarium website (http://www.planetarium.co.za/LunarEclipse2008Feb.html)

 

early morning Thu 21 Feb

starts 3:42am ends 7:08am (after moonset)

The eclipse is total from 5:00am to 5:50am.

All of South Africa will see the start of the eclipse.

Durban will miss the last few minutes of totality.

Only western South Africa will see the Moon start to move out of the eclipse.

The Moon sets before the end of the eclipse (for all of South Africa).

 

So, at 5:30, look at the moon in the west (and then go back to sleep if you can.) Note that the moon will be setting while the sun is rising, so when the moon is about to touch the horizon, look east and you'll see the first rays of the sun (in theory, anyway)

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Started cycling from the bottom of Paarl Mountain with a few others at 04h30 this morning to be on the top at 05h00. Moon was red and it was suitably dark. It was a good feeling to punctuate an important stellar event with a somewhat unusual personal event. Pity my camera is in for repairs or I would add a photo.

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