Who dimmed the sun?
Early on Saturday 4 December 2021, the new moon will slot in precisely between the earth and the sun, causing a partial solar eclipse for us in South Africa.
In contrast to a lunar eclipse, which can be seen from anywhere where the moon is up, a total solar eclipse can only be viewed from certain points on the earth’s surface. If you wanted to experience this particular solar eclipse in its entirety, you’d have to book a voyage to Antarctica… Even so, Antarctica is a large continent, and one would have to locate what is called the “strip of totality” to be completely in the moon’s shadow.
South Africans and Namibians will still be privy to the spectacle – for us, the eclipse will look like someone has taken a bite out of the sun. The further south-west you are in these two countries, the larger the “bite” will appear. Capetonians are in for a treat, as 11% of the sun will be in shadow for the longest period of time (7.42 am until 8.58 am).
Bloemfontein is on the north-western border of visibility, with 0,1% of the eclipse visible in that region. The graphic shows the visibility and times for a few other spots in the country.
Remember: Never look directly into the sun with your naked eye! Even sunglasses don’t provide sufficient protection. Other items on the no-no list include old X-rays, photo negatives and glass that has been burnt black.
Use a proper pair of solar eclipse glasses – it’s the only safe way to look at the sun. A selection is available at amazon.com