The Hindu : New Delhi News : Lunar Occultation of Mars on May 10

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Tuesday, May 06, 2008
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Lunar Occultation of Mars on May 10

Madhur Tankha

‘A lunar occultation occurs when the Moon passes in front of a star or a planet’
‘If the weather is cloudy, then it would be difficult for people to see the Lunar Occultation’

NEW DELHI: Celestial lovers in the Capital will get a chance to view the Lunar Occultation of Mars -- when the Moon will come directly between Mars and the Earth -- on May 10.

Described as a wonderful astronomical phenomenon, Lunar Occultation of Mars can be seen without the use of a telescope. It also has a lot of potential for educational activities for budding astronomers. Basically occultation occurs when one object is hidden by another object that passes between it and the observer. Scientifically speaking, a lunar occultation occurs when the Moon, moving along its orbital path, passes in front of a star or a planet. According to Nehru Planetarium Director N. Rathnasree, observers in the country are well placed to observe this event. “It will take place after 7-30 p.m. The exact time of the event will depend upon the location of the observer. For those West of the country, the Sun will be above the horizon and it would be interesting to see if the observers can spot Mars with respect to the Moon that would be about 33 per cent illuminated,” she said.

Dr. Rathnasree says a lunar occultation is the passing of the Moon in front of any other distant celestial object -- a planet, other solar system objects, a distant star or a deep sky object.

“Of these, the passage of the Moon in front of the naked eye planets or bright stars is an event that is most accessible to people without any observing equipment.”

The Planetarium Director is brimming with optimism that the celestial event would be observed from across the country. “I am confident that the entire country is very favourably placed to view the Lunar Occultation of Mars on May 10. However, if the weather is cloudy, then it would be difficult for people to see the Lunar Occultation. When Mars is just reappearing from behind the bright limb of the Moon, it might look like a thick, skewed, ruby ring in the sky which should be interesting to see. As seen from South , Chennai for instance, the skew in the ring will disappear, with the ruby placed more towards the centre of the crescent of the Moon.”

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