South Africa Blog

Whatever your plans for the weekend, be sure not sleep through the lunar eclipse on Saturday night. But be warned, the Moon will become an eerie, coppery-red colour that could bring out the Wolf in you.

A total lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes into the shadow of Earth, becoming dim until it emerges from the shadow. This is a rare occurrence, only one will happen this year.

On Saturday the partial eclipse begins at 23:30, the total eclipse begins at 00:44 early on Sunday morning and lasts until 01:58, and at 03:11 the last sliver of the Moon will emerge from the Earth’s shadow.

Our astronomers will be doing special eclipse event talks and telescope viewing for visitors in the National Parks – Kruger, Golden Gate, Mapungubwe, Marakele and Mokala – and at Forum Homini in the Cradle of Humankind. We’re also doing some events in neighbouring countries – at The Falls in Zambia, Hwange Zimbabwe and in Mauritius.

Enjoy, wherever you are on Saturday night.

From Astronomy Africa
photo: bluepearlphoto.com
By: Barberton Manor

The Barberton Daisy was discovered in 1884 in Barberton (Mpumalanga) by Robert Jameson, after whom it is named: Gerbera Jamesonii. Since then it has been propogated by mainly Dutch breeders – they created many varieties: colors, number of petals and size were mixed and matched into the wonderful flowers you can buy today at florists worldwide.

The Gerbera Association was established in 2002 with the following goals:
1) Conservation of Gerbera species (several local ‘varieties’ are endangered)
2) Education
3) Protection (breeders from all over the world need the genes of the original plants, which they try to smuggle out of the country)
4) Awareness: South Africa doesn’t benefit at all from the global popularity of the Gerbera – local growers have to import seeds… More…

Photomarathon: an event, characterized by great length and concentrated effort and typically lasting 12 to 24 hours, where participants obtain a series of photographs on predefined subjects.

The PhotographySA.com photomarathon 2007 :: Johannesburg will happen on Saturday the 24th of February 2007, from 8am to 8pm in and around Fordsburg and Newtown.

A bit more detail please…
During a period of 12 hours, you will make 12 pictures. But, don’t worry, you won’t be alone. You’ll meet the other participants both on the road and at the different checkpoints in the area. At each checkpoint, you will get a new set of themes to find pictures with.
At the end of the event, you’ll hand over your pictures and a jury select both the best series and the best individual images. And if that isn’t enough, your pictures will also be exhibited.

Who can participate?
Everyone and anyone. You don’t need any special expertise to join up, it’s all about creativity.

Digital or analogue?
We’ll have seperate categories for digital and analogue photographers. All you need is a camera (and a roll if film, of you’re shooting analogue).

Where is it?
Find your way to The Bag Factory, in Fordsburg, Johannesburg. It’s right next to Oriental Plaza. After that, you’ll be directed to two more venues in the area, where you’ll meet your fellow photographers and recieve a new set of themes. Meanwhile, The Bag Factory will remain open and someone -will- be there for moral support.

Related Pages:
Visit PhotographySA.com
Details and Registration
Gauteng Accommodation