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A rare total lunar eclipse, which will produce a rare 'Blood Moon', is expected on Monday next week - and will be partially visible in South Africa.
A total lunar eclipse is described by AccuWeather when the moon passes directly through the Earth’s innermost shadow and can be seen for several hours across half the globe.
Expected to reach its greatest magnitude at about 05:38 on January 21, the true maximum point will not be seen in SA as the moon is below the horizon at the time, according to Time and Date.
"Since the moon is near the horizon at this time, we recommend going to a high point or finding an unobstructed area, with free sight to west-northwest, for the best view of the eclipse," the website advises.
You can watch the moon gradually turn red with live commentary by astrophysicist Graham Jones on YouTube:
A partial lunar eclipse is expected on July 16 and 17.
Earth's penumbra will start touching the moon's face at 20:43 and maximum eclipse is expected at 23:30, when the moon is "closest to the centre of the shadow", Time and Date reports.
A transit of Mercury is expected on November 11.
The partial transit will start at 14:35 that afternoon and Mercury will leave the sun's edge at 18:50.
"Since the sun is near the horizon at this time, we recommend going to a high point or finding an unobstructed area with free sight to west-southwest for the best view of the transit."
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