Tonight is a Lunar eclipse. Remember to read salah kusuf – the eclipse prayer. Narrated Abu Mas’ud The Prophet said, “the sun and the moon do not eclipse because of the death or life of someone, but they are two signs amongst the Signs of Allah. So, if you see them, offer the Prayer (of eclipse).”

 

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. – source:  IOL

 

Tags: featured, Lunar eclipse South Africa June 2011