What is a Blood Moon and will Indians have the opportunity of watching this rare occurrence along with the total lunar eclipse on January 31?

With the net, social media abuzz about the rare celestial phenomenon, the question assumes importance. The last time the skies presented such a show in India and Asia was in December 1982, when a total solar eclipse and Blue Moon coincided.

A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth comes in between the Sun and the Moon. In other words, the Earth’s shadow falls on the Moon. When the three are almost exactly on the same line, it is termed total lunar eclipse.

During a total lunar eclipse, some of the Sun’s rays get refracted through the Earth’s atmosphere and strike the Moon. This, in turn, results in a low brown red glow. This is what will happen on January 31. That is why the Blood Moon.

Noted astrophysicist and long-term Director of the BM Birla Science Centre, Hyderabad, BG Sidharth said this time the total lunar eclipse will be visible and can be seen from everywhere in India.

Why a Blue Moon

There are two more features coinciding with the celestial event. This is the second full moon in the month, which again is often called a Blue Moon. However, it should be noted that it has nothing to do with the blue colour, says Sidharth. Further, the positions and distances of the Moon and the Earth relative to the Sun on this occasion are such that the Moon will appear slightly bigger — about 10 per cent or more — and so a little brighter on this day. It is called a ‘Super Moon’, he said.

So, at what time will the spectacle begin? The total lunar eclipse will commence at 5.20 pm with the partial shadow or Penumbra of the Earth’s shadow striking the Moon. This is not a significant sight, the astrophysicist comments.

The main eclipse will start around 6.25 pm, after the Sun sets. This can be seen in the eastern sky as the Moon would have just risen by then. A slight sliver of the Moon first gets covered in what is described as the Umbra, the total shadow, and slowly this spreads for several minutes after which, it will recede. In an hour’s time, around 7.25 pm the main part of the eclipse will be over, Sidharth said.

A scientific eye

Referring to the superstitions surrounding eclipses, Sidharth said there is no scientific basis for beliefs that during a total lunar eclipse digestion gets affected as some of the Moon’s rays are blocked.and so one must not eat anything for the entire length of the eclipse.

It’s a practice in many homes to follow the ‘no eat’ policy and some even resort to covering utensils containing food with some leaves and grass which supposedly can ward off the bad effects of the eclipse.

The total lunar eclipsecould lead to slightly higher tides in rivers and seas that day but nothing very alarming, says Sidharth.

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