When and where to see the red Moon
South Africans are set to witness a deep partial lunar eclipse on the morning of August 28, where the moon will take on a reddish hue as it enters Earth's shadow. The event will reach its peak visibility shortly before sunrise, requiring an unobstructed view of the western horizon.
Why it matters
This astronomical event provides a rare educational and observational opportunity for the public to engage with celestial mechanics.
South Africans willing to sacrifice a little sleep could be rewarded with an extraordinary sight on the morning of Friday, 28 August, when August’s Full Moon slips deep into Earth’s shadow, Cape {town} Etc reports.
The event will reportedly be a deep partial lunar eclipse, with almost the entire Moon moving into the darkest part of Earth’s shadow. At its peak, roughly 93% of the Moon’s diameter, or about 96% of its surface, will be in the umbra.
That could give the Full Moon a dramatic appearance, with the eclipsed section potentially taking on the familiar reddish or copper glow often associated with a ‘blood moon’. But there is an important distinction: this will not be a total lunar eclipse. A small portion of the Moon will remain outside the darkest part of Earth’s shadow.
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