What will happen on
10 December 2011 ? What are its timings
astronomically?
A Lunar Eclipse
occurs when earth in course of its orbit around sun, comes between moon and sun
such a way that moon his hidden in the shadow cast by earth. This can occur
only when the Sun, Earth, and Moon are aligned in a straight line, Hence lunar
eclipse occurs only when there is full moon.
So on 10th Dec, 2011 Total Lunar Eclipse will occur. Eclipse in various
phases begins at 5.02 p.m. and Ends at 11.02 p.m. on 10th
December, 2011. The noticeable Umbra phase begins at 6.15 p.m. and Ends at 9.48
p.m. wherein Total Phase begins at
7.36p.m. and ends at 8.28 p.m.
Astrologers are
reporting 6 p.m. to 9.48p.m. Why do you say eclipse is upto 11 p.m ?
Though astronomically speaking Eclipse begins at 5.02 p.m. with moon
entering lighter Shadow of Earth. People
can noticeably witness darkening ( or leaving) of Moon’s disk between 6.15 p.m. to 9.48
p.m.
This can be further explained by explaining what is Penumbra and Umbra
Earth’s shadow has two parts
Penumbra (outer lighter part) and Umbra (darker part). All Lunar Eclipse begin
with moon first entering penumbra at one end passing through umbral phase and
ending with leaving the penumbra on other end. Generally only the Umbral phase is commonly considered as actual
eclipse by general public to follow various rituals and traditions leaving
Penumbra passage of moon. Whereas all Lunar eclipse begin and end with moon
entering and leaving the penumbra (lighter outer shadow of earth).
What is this totality phase?
Importantly moon will be completely immersed (for 52 mins long) in the
dark shadow of earth from 7.36p.m.
to 8.28 p.m. during Totality Phase. Whereas from 8.29p.m. Onwards one can notice
moon slowly coming out of the shadow of earth returning to brightness.
You said 52 Minutes totality
Phase is Longest till 2018 ? Why ?
Yes If Totality Duration data is
seen Total Lunar Eclipse on 10 Dec, 2011 is longest (52 mins), compared to 8
Oct, 2014 (29 mins) where only 6 minute of partial phase is only visible in
India, 4 April, 2015 (5 mins), 31 Jan, 2018 (76 mins) , 27 July, 2018 (103
mins). Conclusion: so Eclipse on 10
Dec 2011 is longest till year 2018 27 July.
When is the next Visible eclipse from our country ?
Next opportunity to see a Eclipse
will occur on 25 April, 2013 which
is Lunar Eclipse but its is Partial Lunar Eclipse..But to
see Total Lunar Eclipse one needs to
wait till 2018.
What is other unique point of
this Eclipse ? You said 2018 what does
that mean ?
So 2018 July 27
is the only time when people can see entire umbral phase including whole of
Total phases just like in case of 10 Dec 2011.
Can you explain this again?
In simple words a person from India and neighboring country if misses to
see Eclipse on 10 December, 2011. He
has to wait till 27 July 2018 for seeing eclipse in various visible phases
totally.
Which if we can see here
Though there is Total Lunar
Eclipse on 8 Oct, 2014 people in
India & around can see only a part of moon covered that to 6 minutes only
towards end of eclipse due to moon which rises at 5.58 p.m. On 4 April, 2015 due to late rising moon
(at 6.28 p.m) the total phase is already over at 5.28 p.m to 5.33 p.m. On 28
Sept 2015 eclipse occurs after sunrise hence we can’t see. Whereas in 2018 on 31 Jan again due to delayed
moon rise people can start seeing eclipse few minutes before total phase where
most of moon is engulfed in Earth Shadow.
Is it correct to say that
Lunar eclipse will affect Pregnant Women? It will lead to Natural disasters?
Scientifically speaking there is no evidence to prove this or we can say
that this misconception never pass the test of “Scientific Method”.
Which are the places across
the world this Eclipse is Visible ?
The eclipse will be visible in the region covering Africa, Europe, the
Middle East, Asia, Australia, North America, Greenland, and the Indian,
Pacific, and Arctic Ocean.
You said India is best place
to see Eclipse on 10 December, 2011 ? Why ? Can you explain in detail . How the
eclipse would be visible from different countries ?
India is one of the best places to see this eclipse totally because the eclipse in its various phases (start to end) is
visible. Wherein people would witness moon entering shadow of earth and leaving
as the moon’s disk gradually darkens and returns slowly to its full brightness.
Similar opportunity to witness a Total
Lunar Eclipse from start to end (in various phases) will only come on 27/28th July, 2018 for
people in and around India.
Across the world people living in parts of Mexico, eastern U.S.A.,
eastern Canada and Greenland can only witness this event on 10 Dec partially close to horizon when moon begins to darken but sets
after few minutes from these locations.
Whereas people in
Europe, Africa and some regions of Southern Ocean can witness eclipse partially with moon already engulfed in
earth’s dark shadow and returning to
brightness i.e. during end part of umbra
phase while moon is rising above horizon.
Is it correct to say people belonging to
certain Zodiac signs will be effected ?
Yes the
astrological Interpretation of eclipse is most popular than the science part of
it. Wherein it is claimed Eclipse occurs in background of various zodiac
signs/Nakshatras and this eclipse will
affect people with that sign. They
should not see the eclipse. Society requests people not to fall for such non
scientific interpretation.
Constellation Taurus: Whereas astronomically speaking People can witness this entire celestial
hide & Seek in the background of Pattern of stars called Taurus the bull. This constellation
known since ages is one of the 88
constellations recognized by International Astronomical Union.
In movies it is often
shown about Black Magic/ Tantric pujas ? What is your opinion ?
Yes in the name of Lunar Eclipse and in guise of solving
problems of people some illegal practitioners of Black magic are committing
various heinous crimes like sacrificing animals or even people.
Police authorities particularly people should be alert about
such incident and bring to notice of authorities and stop it.
