Blood Moon Or Poachers Moon
Full moon eclipse fully documented on Celestial Double Feature Moon and Mars in 2018 my best sighting at the time, again on Hive was in 2022, always extra special.
Total lunar eclipse turning 'red', lasting around 82 minutes, one of the longest lunar eclipses of the decade, visible across South Africa.
Building up to the great celestial transformation I managed to capture on Saturday in anticipation Sunday was going to be clear skies and clear sailing.
17h23
With handy little zoom lens I will be having a fine time tonight (sorry did not happen, too much light pollution along with muggy/cloudy conditions). Best times will be between 7:30 to 8:52 PM for South Africa.
Details from Date and Time:
Max View in Durban - 7 Sep 2025, 20:11 Global Event: Total Lunar Eclipse Local Type: Total Lunar Eclipse, in Durban Begins: Sun, 7 Sep 2025, 17:34 Maximum: Sun, 7 Sep 2025, 20:11 1.362 Magnitude Ends: Sun, 7 Sep 2025, 22:55 Duration: 5 hours, 21 minutes
Moon turns red due to Rayleigh scattering in Earth’s atmosphere.
17h24
It was said that the moon, Inyanga, was a bridge to the spirits of the ancestors, who watched over the living, by our Zulu peoples..
The ancient Incans and Mesopotamians believed the blood moon was an omen portending death and overthrow of the king. Perhaps portent to change with tyrants ruling many lands of late.
Zulu mythology centers on Unkulunkulu, the creator god who arose from reeds and created humans and the world, and the interconnected spirit and living worlds, where ancestors (Amadlozi) act as intermediaries between realms.
A feminine symbol in many African societies, the moon is often linked to life itself, through lunar cycles that align with human and agricultural fertility and that structure ritual calendars.
Abundantly sad is the name referred to as "Poachers Moon" here in Zululand.
According to Save the Rhino, the full moon in May 2017 led to nine rhino killed, their carcasses dehorned, at Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, while eight were killed during a supermoon event in 2015. Zululand-Observer
Air quality dropped at sunset with hazy conditions mixed with some cloud, thinking we might be lucky in spring, alas not to be, after a hot day that felt muggy. Air pollution is a reality along the coast, with two relatively acceptable photographs captured it was a let down compared to the 2018 winter sighting.
20h13
Let down, now the next will be on 31st December 2028. Sublime Sunday had to wait for Monday trying to obtain some of the magic in full lunar eclipse event. Nonetheless have a wonderful new week, hopefully will still be kicking around to enjoy witnessing the next one.
In the meanwhile took a photo of my marble in the window for fun! Similar not the same, sigh!
#SublimeSunday is inspired by @c0ff33a and #BeautifulSunday is initiated by @ace108 today.
All photography my own using Canon Powershot SX730 HS. Any queries or requests please drop a comment below or make contact with me, have a wonderful day!
Thought for Today: "If the sun said it had power over the moon then let it come and shine at night." - African Proverb
