Watch the longest total lunar eclipse of the 21st century, at Dirtopia Trail Centre and Café on Delvera near Stellenbosch on Friday July 27. Willie Koorts, the founder member of the Orion Observation Astronomy Group (OOG) will be there to show slides while explaining the phenomenon and members of the organisation will bring their telescopes. Live streaming will take place in the Café on a screen, so you can hide from the cold winter weather as well. The total phase of the “blood moon” eclipse of July 27 will last 1 hour and 43 minutes, during which Earth’s natural satellite will turn a spectacular red or ruddy-brown colour. From start to finish, the entire celestial event will last nearly four hours. It is safe to view directly with the naked eye, telescopes, or binoculars.
The moon turns deep red or reddish brown during eclipses, instead of going completely dark. That’s because some of the sunlight going through Earth’s atmosphere is bent around the edge of our planet and falls onto the moon’s surface. Entry is R50.Book at logistics@dirtopia.co.za or 021 884 4752.
There will be soup and bread for R50, and drinks, coffee, brownies and cake for sale.
