Two eclipses to enthral skywatchers in March
Feb 14, 2007 - 9:07:58 AM
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Criticising vague predictions by astrologers, Rathnasree said: 'Eclipses or positions of planets do not affect our lives in any way and there is no compelling evidence - theoretical or observational - that would make us believe in astrological predictions that are made with every astronomical event.
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By Prashant K. Nanda, IANS,
[RxPG] New Delhi, Feb 14 - Early risers are in for a celestial treat in March with India witnessing a total lunar eclipse and a partial solar eclipse within a fortnight of each other.
While the total lunar eclipse will occur on March 4, the partial solar eclipse will be visible March 19.
'Both these astronomical events are for early risers,' warned N. Rathnasree, director of the Nehru Planetarium here.
'In the case of the lunar eclipse, the faint outer shadow or penumbral part of the eclipse will begin at 1:46:27 a.m. India time, but it would be visible after 3 a.m,' Rathnasree told IANS.
Two weeks later, India and other parts of Asia will witness a partial solar eclipse.
'Kolkata and other eastern parts of the country will have sunrise before the beginning of the partial phases of the eclipse, while regions westwards will witness the sun already into an eclipse as it rises,' the director said.
Sunrise will occur at 6:27 a.m., by which time 13.8 percent of the disc of the sun will be covered by the shadow of the moon. The maximum eclipse, when about 30 percent of the disc will be covered, will be at 6:53:48 a.m. It will end at 7:40:53 a.m.
Giving details about the lunar eclipse, Rathnasree said: 'Skywatchers can see occultation of a star; that is a star will be seen moving behind the moon.'
'It's a rare phenomenon and should delight those observing celestial movements.'
The planetarium will be setting up telescopes for astronomers, skywatchers and students to observe the developments.
'The number of people may be less as it would be night but we don't want to miss a chance to observe lunar and solar movements,' said Rathnasree.
The total phase of the eclipse will begin at 4:13:46 a.m. and can be best seen at 4.50.52 a.m. The shadow on the moon will be completely cleared by 6.41 in the morning.
'It would be seen all over the country, with a fairly long duration of the totality of the eclipse of 1 hour 14 minutes,' she said.
Astronomers said people in east India would see a partial eclipse moon setting, as the natural satellite would set in Kolkata at 6:02 a.m.
The next lunar eclipse would be on Aug 28, but would not be visible in Delhi and some regions in the western India.
Criticising vague predictions by astrologers, Rathnasree said: 'Eclipses or positions of planets do not affect our lives in any way and there is no compelling evidence - theoretical or observational - that would make us believe in astrological predictions that are made with every astronomical event.
'If anything happens then its pure coincidence.'
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