Cape offers best view of solar eclipse

 Cape Town - Capetonians who rise early on Sunday will be able to witness a partial solar eclipse.

Dr Luke Tyas, public outreach astronomer and researcher at the Southern African Astronomical Observatory, said the eclipse would be under way when the sun rose on Sunday just before 7am.

Its “peak” – the point where most of the sun is blocked by the moon – will occur at 7.43am.

The eclipse will end by 8:50am.

“Sadly the long-term weather forecast shows cloud for the morning, but fingers crossed conditions will be clear,” said Tyas.

He explained that a solar eclipse occurs when, from the point of view of the Earth, the moon passes into our line of sight to the sun.

In a “total solar eclipse”, the moon blocks out the full surface of the sun.

In the partial solar eclipse we might see on Sunday, the moon does not cover the sun’s whole surface. “It could appear as if a bite has been taken out of the edge of the sun,” he said.

“Capetonians are fortunate to have the best view of the partial solar eclipse from any urban area.”

Tyas warned people not to look directly at the sun.

This held true even during the eclipse, or while wearing dark sunglasses.

“Looking at the sun directly will cause eye damage and possibly blindness. Using a telescope or binoculars is even more dangerous, causing blindness almost immediately.”

People can head to the South African Astronomical Observatory in Observatory Road, near Valkenberg, which has “special eclipse viewing filters or glasses”.

Tyas said the eclipse will be visible from South Africa, the Indian Ocean and the southern most areas of Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique and Madagascar, as well as Antarctica.

Weekend Argus

• Watch the solar eclipse