Solar & Lunar Eclipses in Mapoteng, Lesotho (2026–2035)

Understanding Solar & Lunar Eclipses

A solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun and casts its shadow on part of the Earth. A lunar eclipse is the opposite: the Earth moves between the Sun and the Moon, so the Moon passes through the Earth's shadow. Solar eclipses are visible only from a narrow path on the daytime side of the planet, while a lunar eclipse can be seen by everyone on the night side of the Earth at the same time.

Eclipses come in several forms. A total eclipse completely covers the Sun or Moon; a partial eclipse hides only part of it; an annular solar eclipse leaves a bright "ring of fire" because the Moon is too far from Earth to block the Sun entirely; and a penumbral lunar eclipse is a faint shading that is easy to miss. The date of an eclipse is the same everywhere on Earth, but whether it appears total, partial, or not at all depends on where you are standing.

That is why the schedule above is calculated specifically for Mapoteng. It lists only the eclipses that are actually visible from your location, how much of the Sun or Moon will be covered, and the local time of each event. Most cities see a partial solar eclipse every few years, but a total solar eclipse over any single place is rare and can be centuries apart.