South Africans, get ready for partial solar eclipse

A ‘ring of fire’ solar eclipse is set to take place tomorrow (Tuesday) afternoon as the moon passes between the earth and the sun, leaving a thin outer ring of sunlight visible.

This partial eclipse will last for just over two minutes at full eclipse and, while the Antarctic will be the only place on earth to view the full effect of this phenomenon, South Africans will also be able to witness it partially.

The partial eclipse is set to begin at 09.56 GMT (11.56 South African time), with the maximum ring of fire visible at 12.12 GMT (14.12 South African time) and the event ending at 14.27 GMT (16.27 South African time).

In South African skies, it will appear as if the moon ‘has taken a bite’ out of the sun.

The different parts of South Africa will experience the eclipse in varying degrees, with about 5% solar coverage expected in the Western Cape at maximum eclipse.

The South African National Space Agency (Sansa) will be livestreaming the partial eclipse via its new solar telescope, and invites interested viewers to follow the stream on the following link: https://youtube.com/live/DfwhUn3OKIs?feature=share

Sources: Space.com; Sansa.org

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