Thursday 15 October 2015
Decimal Howls At The Moon
“Well, it’s a marvelous night for moondance
With the stars up above in your eyes
A fantabulous night to make romance
‘neath the cover of October skies”
Van Morrison, Moondance
October nights are upon us, but the 27th of September 2015 did bring one of the most beautiful night-time views South Africa has seen. An event that will not happen again until 2033.
Known as a “Blood Moon”, we look at why this breathtaking view graced us with its presence:
- The Blood Moon is better known as a “Supermoon Lunar Eclipse”.
- This event has not happened since 1982.
- An eclipse occurs when the light of the moon is obstructed by the earth between the moon and the sun.
- The moon must be completely covered in Earth’s shadow for a total Lunar Eclipse to occur.
- The Moon was plunged into darkness for 1 hour and 12 minutes.
- The partial eclipse lasted for 3 hours and 20 minutes in total.
- The term “Blood Moon” is used because of the moon’s coppery-red colour, caused by the dispersing light from all the Earth’s sunrises and sunsets falling on the face of the moon at mid-eclipse.
- The September 2015 total lunar eclipse aligns with the feast of the Tabernacles: a Jewish festival that commemorates God’s provision in the Wilderness and looks ahead to the promised Messianic age.
