By Akshay Deoras
Q. For the regions shown ( Eclipse at Moon rise) in the above figure what will happen?
A. People are confused about Eclipse and Moonrise of this Saturday's. Well, for the regions in the Eclipse at Moonrise the exact meaning is that the lunar eclipse ( already in progress) will be seen after the moon rises. Lets think of a simple example.
Consider a train ( moon) travelling from station A( Regions where all eclipse will be visible) to station B ( regions of Eclipse at Moonrise). An observer will say that the eclipse has begun when he sees the train at either of the station. That is observer at station A will see the train first and shortly the eclipse will begin ( Passengers board the train) but for the observer at B station, the train ( Moon) and passengers ( Eclipse) isn't visible! Lets think that the train arrives at a certain time. Thus ONLY AFTER THIS TIME( Moonrise) the person will see the train ( moon) and passengers ( eclipse) and such will be the situation.
For much of India, the lunar eclipse Penumbral phase w'd have begun before but will be visible only after the moon arrives.
Q. Eclipse starts at 0615PM IST in India.What does it mean when you say eclipse begins at moonrise?
A.The time 0615PM IST is the time when the Partal Lunar Eclipse will begin.Infact the penumbral eclipse starts much before the moon rise.
Q. What can one see through unaided,untrained eyes during the penumbral eclipse phase?
A.The penumbral eclipse actually takes place when the moon enters the penumbra ( Outer light shadow of the earth.) For untrained,unaided eye not much change will be there. One will keep seeing the moon without any change in its geometry however the moon shall dim a bit ( if observed properly).
Q. Terminologies Partial,Umbra,Penumbra,Totality are confusing.How can it be made simple?
A. Its very easy!
The Earth's shadow is of the circular form. Consider the below Dart-Board
The outer circle where numbers are written is the Penumbra of earth's shadow ( Lighter shadow region)
The inner circle is the Umbra of earth's shadow ( Darker region).
The Moon in the numbered circular region is said to be in Penumbral Eclipse.
But when the moon enters inside and moves in the inner circular region ( COMPLETELY) then its said to be in Totality..
A Partial Lunar Eclipse will occur when some part of the moon enters the inner circular region but most of the moon is outside it.
Q. How will the moon look at what time on 10th Dec 2011?
A.There is a wonderful link on it. See here
Q. How long will the Lunar Eclipse of 10th Dec 2011 last?
The totality phase shall last till around 51mins i.e one will be able to observe the darker shade of Moon with the Brick Red or copper red shade.
The rest eclipse ( Penumbral to Penumbral) will last close to 6 hours!
A. People are confused about Eclipse and Moonrise of this Saturday's. Well, for the regions in the Eclipse at Moonrise the exact meaning is that the lunar eclipse ( already in progress) will be seen after the moon rises. Lets think of a simple example.
Consider a train ( moon) travelling from station A( Regions where all eclipse will be visible) to station B ( regions of Eclipse at Moonrise). An observer will say that the eclipse has begun when he sees the train at either of the station. That is observer at station A will see the train first and shortly the eclipse will begin ( Passengers board the train) but for the observer at B station, the train ( Moon) and passengers ( Eclipse) isn't visible! Lets think that the train arrives at a certain time. Thus ONLY AFTER THIS TIME( Moonrise) the person will see the train ( moon) and passengers ( eclipse) and such will be the situation.
For much of India, the lunar eclipse Penumbral phase w'd have begun before but will be visible only after the moon arrives.
Q. Eclipse starts at 0615PM IST in India.What does it mean when you say eclipse begins at moonrise?
A.The time 0615PM IST is the time when the Partal Lunar Eclipse will begin.Infact the penumbral eclipse starts much before the moon rise.
Q. What can one see through unaided,untrained eyes during the penumbral eclipse phase?
A.The penumbral eclipse actually takes place when the moon enters the penumbra ( Outer light shadow of the earth.) For untrained,unaided eye not much change will be there. One will keep seeing the moon without any change in its geometry however the moon shall dim a bit ( if observed properly).
Q. Terminologies Partial,Umbra,Penumbra,Totality are confusing.How can it be made simple?
A. Its very easy!
The Earth's shadow is of the circular form. Consider the below Dart-Board
The outer circle where numbers are written is the Penumbra of earth's shadow ( Lighter shadow region)
The inner circle is the Umbra of earth's shadow ( Darker region).
The Moon in the numbered circular region is said to be in Penumbral Eclipse.
But when the moon enters inside and moves in the inner circular region ( COMPLETELY) then its said to be in Totality..
A Partial Lunar Eclipse will occur when some part of the moon enters the inner circular region but most of the moon is outside it.
Q. How will the moon look at what time on 10th Dec 2011?
A.There is a wonderful link on it. See here
Q. How long will the Lunar Eclipse of 10th Dec 2011 last?
The totality phase shall last till around 51mins i.e one will be able to observe the darker shade of Moon with the Brick Red or copper red shade.
The rest eclipse ( Penumbral to Penumbral) will last close to 6 hours!
