South Africans are in for a rare treat next week.

No, it’s not a decrease in petrol prices, but it’s still a treat all the same.

On Friday, July 27, we’ll be witnessing a full lunar eclipse. What makes it different from a solar eclipse – apart from taking place at night, obviously – is its fiery appearance.

Business Insider SA explains:

The two-hour eclipse will produce a ‘blood moon’, something last seen in 2011.

The “blood” in the name comes from the reddish-brown colour the Moon takes on when Earth enters between it and the Sun, cutting off the direct light that usually brighten the lunar surface to white.

The eclipse will be visible country-wide, and will be easily and safely visible to the naked eye.

If we get clear weather, South Africans should have a clear view of this spectacle, which astronomical boffins are saying won’t be appearing in our skies again until 2029.

To sweeten the experience, you can also catch a glimpse of the planets Venus, Jupiter, Saturn and Mars.

Sound like your scene?

If you fancy yourself a star-gazer and don’t want to miss out on the fun, avail yourself between 7:15PM, – that’s when the full moon first begins to darken as it enters the earth’s shadow – and 9:30PM, when the eclipse is in full force.

Or if you don’t want to be all on your lonesome that night, take yourself and your mates to places where you can best view the “blood moon”:

Cape Town:
Members of the Astronomical Society of Southern Africa (ASSA), an association of amateur astronomers, alongside professional astronomers from the SAAO, will be offering the public a guided tour with an array of telescopes along the V&A Waterfront. The event kicks off at 6PM, from the Flag Pole Terrace.

Stellenbosch:
Members of the Orion Observation Astronomy Group will set up telescopes at Dirtopia Trail Centre and Café on Delvera, and the eclipse will feature on-screen in the cafe. (Entry is R50)

Johannesburg:
Join the ASSA JHB from 6PM at the Johannesburg Observatory, on the hill top at 18A Gill Street, Observatory.

Magaliesburg
MelonRouge is setting up telescopes and hosting a talk. (Entry is R150)

Hermanus:
The Hermanus Astronomy Centre is setting up telescopes at in the parking terrain of NG Kerk Onrusrivier from 8PM.

Happy eclipse-watching, y’all.

[source:businessinsider]