Skywatchers across South Africa are in for a rare celestial spectacle today, 17 February, as a partial solar eclipse becomes visible during the afternoon.
A partial solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun but does not align perfectly, causing only part of the Sun to be obscured. The Moon’s outer shadow, known as the penumbra, falls on Earth, creating the appearance of a small “bite” taken out of the Sun.
While the full annular eclipse, often referred to as a “ring of fire”, will only be visible from remote parts of Antarctica, observers in South Africa will still be able to witness the partial phase. In the Western Cape, the eclipse is expected to reach a maximum coverage of about five percent.
The South African National Space Agency (SANSA) will livestream the event using its newly acquired solar telescope at its Hermanus facility. The telescope forms part of the SANSA Space Weather Centre’s efforts to strengthen solar observation capabilities and monitor activity on the Sun.
You can watch it HERE.
According to SANSA, the eclipse will begin at 14:01 South African Standard Time, reach maximum coverage at 14:23, and end at 15:24, lasting approximately one hour and 23 minutes.
Residents hoping to view the eclipse are urged to take safety precautions. Experts warn that looking directly at the Sun without certified eclipse glasses or proper solar filters can cause serious eye damage. Ordinary sunglasses or homemade filters are not safe for solar viewing.
The livestream offers an accessible way for viewers to safely experience the event while observing the dynamic movement of the solar system in real time.
