Rare Lunar eclipse today - can be seen with naked eye
Posted on: 31/Jan/2018 12:08:39 PM
The lunar eclipse set to occur today (Wednesday, 31st January) is a very rare occurrence happening after a gap of 152 years. The Science and Technology Centre has announced that this lunar eclipse can be watched and enjoyed with the naked eyes without any harm.
The distance between the earth and the moon is 3.84 Lakh km. The occasion of the sun and the moon on either side of the earth, come under a straight line happens at least once in a year. On this occasion, ‘the supermoon’ is formed. The moon on this occasion will appear 14% larger and 30% brighter on this occasion.
2nd Full Moon
The Moon does not have the capacity to emit its own light. It only reflects the sunlight falling on it. The lunar eclipse occurs when the earth comes between the sun and the moon. When the sun, the earth, and the moon fall under a straight line, the rays of the sun are blocked from falling on the moon and the moon is rendered invisible. This is called as a lunar eclipse.
The Joint Director of the Tamil Nadu Science and Technology Centre, Chandrarajan, explained regarding this:
‘Whenever a full moon day occurs twice in a calendar month, the second full moon is known as the blue moon. This is called so as it is a very rare occurrence. Please do not think that the moon will appear in blue colour – it would not.
‘Depending on the intensity of the dust/pollution in the space, the moon might appear in orange or red colour.
‘Today’s lunar eclipse is a rare occurrence after a long gap of 152 years. This can be seen the world over in areas like North America, East Asia, and Australia. The lunar eclipse commences in India at 5.15 PM today (Wednesday, 31st January).
Special arrangements
‘However, the moon will appear at 6.05 PM in the Chennai Metro City. The eclipse will last from 6.22 PM to 7.38 PM. The lunar eclipse (or the shadow of the earth on the moon) will start clearing from 7.39 PM and will disappear completely by 8.43 PM. After 9.38 PM, the moon will be glowing at its full intensity, There is no need to wear any protective glasses and it can be seen with the naked eyes.
Special arrangements have been made for the public to have a look at the lunar eclipse in the Science and Technology Centres in Chennai, Kovai, Trichy, and Vellore.’
Temple corridors to be opened after performing remedial Pooja
After the end of the lunar eclipse, remedial Pooja and Prayers will be performed in the temples and then, the corridors of the temple will be opened. The lunar eclipse which starts by the evening today lasts until the night.
It is advisable to take a bath after the end of the lunar eclipse and have a look at the Moon – it will bring some good luck to the individuals.
The expert astrologers advise that those who are born on Wednesdays or in the stars of Punarpoosam, Poosam, Aayilyam, Visakam, Kettai, Poorattathi, Anusham, and Uthirattathi should perform remedial Archanas.
The next lunar eclipse is set to occur on 27th July.
The important festival of Thai Poosam is being celebrated from 25th January to 3rd February. The devotees from other districts have started arriving by foot. The corridors of the hill temple will open by 4.00 AM. The lunar eclipse will last from 6.22 PM to 8.40 PM. The regular 6 time-based Pooja will be performed earlier today. The afternoon/evening ‘Sayaratchai’ Pooja will be performed at 2.45 PM and the corridors will be closed by 3.45 PM. So, the devotees will be allowed via the ‘Kudamuzhukku’ memorial hall only until 12.00 Noon.
