July's stargazing evening will be held at the Club's premises in Pearly Beach on the evening of the 27th July to coincide with the total lunar eclipse and Mars's close approach. We will also be supplying a live feed to Slooh from the Club's observatory in Pearly Beach.
A total lunar eclipse of the Moon occurs on the evening of July 27th. The Moon enters the Earth's shadow (umbra) at 20:24, with totality starting at 21:29. We will be streaming the event live from Pearly Beach, as well as noting the coloration and darkness of the eclipse (Danjon number). Unlike a solar eclipse (visible from a much narrower path), a lunar eclipse is visible anywhere on Earth where the Moon is in the sky at the time.
Total lunar eclipses can last up to 100 minutes and do not need any eye protection (unlike solar eclipses). During a total lunar eclipse, the Moon darkens gradually as it moves through the penumbra (Earths outer shadow), and then more noticeably as it enters the umbra. The appearance of the Moon during totality depends on how much light is scattered by the Earth's atmosphere. The umbra is usually copper coloured, sometimes very dark, and occasionally distorted. The eclipse will be visible from southern Africa, as well as Antarctica, Australia, Russia (except the northernmost part), Asia, Scandinavia and Europe.
