Kenyans Told to Watch the Sky This Weekend for Rare Celestial Spectacle

Kenyans all over the country are set to have a chance to witness the rare total lunar eclipse on Sunday, September 7, that will result in a ‘blood moon.’
However, this time, those lucky to witness this cosmic phenomenon will have the extremely rare opportunity of also seeing the planet Saturn simultaneously. This rare occurrence is said to happen once or twice every decade.
A total lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth slides between the Sun and the Moon, casting its shadow (umbra) over the Moon’s surface.
During the cosmic marvel, the moon appears reddish due to sunlight filtering through Earth’s atmosphere, creating a red or copperish hue.
This reddish appearance is the result of a phenomenon called “Rayleigh scattering” which also makes the sky blue and our sunsets red. It scatters more of the shorter blue wavelength light, allowing the longer red wavelength light to remain visible.
The Kenya Space Agency revealed that the moon would have a deep crimson glow, lasting for 82 minutes. This spectacle, referred to as the totality phase, would be one of the longest ones in recent years. However, the entire event, including penumbral and partial phases, will span about five hours.
About 29 per cent of all lunar eclipses are total lunar eclipses. Earth experiences approximately two lunar eclipses per year. Most places on Earth can expect to see a total lunar eclipse about once every 2.5 years.
Lunar eclipses are visible to anyone on the night side of Earth during the event. Unlike solar eclipses, which are seen only along a narrow path, a lunar eclipse can be observed from entire continents simultaneously.
Unlike solar eclipses,no special glasses or filters are required to watch a lunar eclipse. It is completely safe to view with the naked eye. For a closer and more detailed view of the red Moon, binoculars or a telescope can be used, but they are not necessary to enjoy the event.
However, not all lunar eclipses create a blood moon. If Earth only partially blocks the sun, the darkest part of its shadow covers part of the moon’s surface, creating a partial lunar eclipse; it looks as though a dark bite has been taken out of the moon.
Sometimes the moon passes through the lighter outer shadow,known as the penumbra, causing a penumbral eclipse that is so subtle that only experienced sky watchers notice the faint dimming.