All eyes to the sky to see solar system in action

Date: 10 September 2016 By: Andries van Zyl

Residents of the Soutpansberg enjoyed a unique opportunity to view the partial solar eclipse on Thursday, 1 September.

This was another rare opportunity to see the solar system in action as, for a short time, the moon passed between the earth and the sun. Instead of seeing the sun as a round disc, it had a “bite” taken out of it. This “bite” was the moon, and the size of the “bite” changed as the moon slowly moved along.

A successful outreach event during this annular solar eclipse was held by the Soutpansberg Astronomy Club (SAC), on behalf of the Astronomical Society of Southern Africa (ASSA), at Ridgeway College in Louis Trichardt. Mr Kos Coronaios, ASSA observing and outreach director, as well as chairman of the SAC, was on hand to explain some of the solar system's dynamics and answer questions.

Three telescopes, one projecting the solar image, one supplying a live YouTube-stream for Slooh and ASSA and one for viewing, were used. Pinhole projection using a gazebo was also utilised. “Thank you to Ridgeway College for providing the venue and to Sarah and James Coronaios who helped set up and operate the telescopes,” said Coronaios.

In a calendar year, between four and seven eclipses (solar and lunar combined) can occur; at least two and at most five will be eclipses of the sun. From any given location, there will be, on average, a partial eclipse every couple of years and a total solar eclipse once in 375 years.

The next total solar eclipse visible in southern Africa will be in 2030. The next partial solar eclipse visible from southern Africa is late in the afternoon of 26 February 2017. The next lunar eclipse is on 16 September (from 18:54 to 22:54 SAST). However, the moon only passes through the dim, outer portion of the earth’s shadow, so it is likely to go unnoticed. Careful observation, perhaps with binoculars, could reveal the very slight darkening of the moon.

For more information on the above and the SAC’s activities, phone Coronaios at 079 148 4934.

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Andries van Zyl

Andries joined the Zoutpansberger and Limpopo Mirror in April 1993 as a darkroom assistant. Within a couple of months he moved over to the production side of the newspaper and eventually doubled as a reporter. In 1995 he left the newspaper group and travelled overseas for a couple of months. In 1996, Andries rejoined the Zoutpansberger as a reporter. In August 2002, he was appointed as News Editor of the Zoutpansberger, a position he holds until today.

More photos... 

One of three telescopes were on hand to enable students to take a closer and safer look at last week’s partial solar eclipse during a special outreach event held at Ridgeway College in Louis Trichardt. Photo supplied.