21st February 2008: Total Eclipse of the Moon

visible from all of South Africa

(but we'll miss the Moon's recovery)

2:34am - the eclipse officially starts, but the Moon does not change shape visibly - it may dim slightly; this is the start of the penumbral phase

3:42am - the Moon starts moving into the dark part of the Earth's shadow, and changes shape noticeably

5:00am - the Moon is completely within the Earth's shadow, but will probably look slightly reddish; this is the start of totality

5:45am - Moon sets for Durban

5:50am - the Moon starts moving out of the Earth's shadow - totality has ended

6:01am - Moon sets for Johannesburg

6:33am - Moon sets for Cape Town

7:08am - the Moon appears to be fully recovered - back to full moon - but may be slightly dimmed

8:17am - the penumbral phase has ended, and the eclipse is officially over

7th Feb 2008: Annular Eclipse of the Sun

not visible from any part of South Africa

The eclipse starts 3:38am and ends 8:11am (South African time). 

The eclipse will be visible from parts of Antarctica, eastern Australia and New Zealand

16 Aug 2008: Partial (80%) Eclipse of the Moon

Visible from all of South Africa

16 Aug 8:22pm - the eclipse officially starts, but the Moon does not change shape visibly - it may dim slightly; this is the start of the penumbral phase

16 Aug 9:35pm - the Moon starts moving into the dark part of the Earth's shadow, and changes shape noticeably

16 Aug 11:09pm - the Moon is about 80% eclipsed - maximum eclipse

17 Aug 00:44am - the Moon appears to be fully recovered - back to full moon - but may be slightly dimmed

17 Aug 1:56am - the penumbral phase has ended, and the eclipse is officially over

1 Aug 2008: Total Eclipse of the Sun

not visible from any part of South Africa

The eclipse starts 10:03am and ends 2:38pm (South African time).

The eclipse will be visible as a total eclipse from parts of Canada, Greenland, Russia, Mongolia and China.  A partial eclipse will be seen from north-eastern North America, most of Europe, and western Asia