Skywatchers across Africa and several other parts of the world are set to witness a partial lunar eclipse, popularly known as a “blood moon,” according to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
The celestial event is expected to occur between August 27 and 28, with parts of Africa, the Americas, Europe and Western Asia positioned to observe the eclipse.
NASA said the eclipse will begin at 9:23pm Eastern Time on Friday, when the Moon enters the outer region of Earth’s shadow.
As the phenomenon progresses, Earth’s shadow will gradually cover part of the lunar surface, creating the appearance of a dark section taking a “bite” out of the Moon.
The eclipse is expected to reach its peak at about 12:12am Eastern Time, when more than 96 per cent of the lunar surface will be covered by Earth’s shadow.
The astronomical event will gradually come to an end at approximately 3:01am Eastern Time as the Moon moves beyond the outer edge of Earth’s shadow.
NASA, in an update published on its website, listed the August 27 and 28 event as a partial eclipse visible across the Americas, Europe, Africa and Western Asia.
The phenomenon occurs when the Earth moves between the Sun and the Moon, causing the planet’s shadow to fall on the lunar surface.
Depending on the extent of the Moon’s passage through Earth’s shadow, the eclipse may appear reddish or copper-coloured, giving rise to the popular description “blood moon.”