The Hindu : New Delhi News : A celestial treat on August 16

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Monday, Aug 11, 2008
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New Delhi

A celestial treat on August 16

Madhur Tankha

NEW DELHI: Sky gazers in the Capital, and the world over, are in for a spectacular treat as a partial lunar eclipse will occur late on the night of August 16 and early morning of the next day.

The lunar eclipse is a partial one where about 80 per cent of the Moon will be seen to be eclipsed.

According to Nehru Planetarium Director, N. Rathnasree, all of India can witness the lunar eclipse. “Unlike partial solar eclipse, in the partial lunar eclipse people across the country can watch the Moon with naked eyes. Curious onlookers don’t even need to exercise caution while watching the astronomical event. They don’t need telescopes or a projector to watch the event as their eyesight won’t get affected,” said Dr. Rathnasree, adding that the event will also be visible from other Asian countries, South America, Europe and Africa.

Stating that an interesting aspect about lunar eclipses was that the actual event and its different phases would be witnessed at the same time all across the world, Dr. Rathnasree said longitudinal differences would define that time to be different in different regions. “For instance, while South America would be witnessing the eclipse at moonrise on the evening of August 16, Australia would be witnessing it at moonset in the morning of August 17, although, the two regions and the rest of the world, are witnessing it at the same intrinsic time.”

The Planetarium Director pointed out that the penumbral part of the lunar eclipse will begin at about six minutes before midnight of August 16. “The penumbral phase, however, is not easily discernible. A casual view would not detect any noticeable change on the Moon, when the penumbral phase of the eclipse is in progress.”

The partial phase of the eclipse will begin at 1-06 a.m. in the morning of August 17. The greatest eclipse will be at 2-40 a.m. when about 80 per cent of the Moon will be seen to be eclipsed. The partial phase of the eclipse ends at 4-14 a.m. and the penumbral phase ends at 5-25 a.m. in the morning of August 17.

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