Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Jan 31: Scores of people assembled outside their houses, on the terraces of buildings and open spaces across the city, and probably in most parts of the world, to watch the celestial triple treat of the supermoon, total lunar eclipse and 'blue' blood moon all rolled into one.
There hasn't been a triple lineup like this since 1982 and the next will not occur until 2037.
The rare celestial event is the result of the sun, earth, and moon lining up perfectly for a lunar eclipse just as the moon is near its closest orbit point to earth, making it appear super large. It is the second full moon within the same month, a phenomenon called a 'blue' Moon which has nothing to due with its colour. The blood in the name comes from the reddish brown colour the Moon takes on when Earth enters between it and the Sun, cutting off the light rays that usually brighten the lunar surface.
In Mangaluru, stargazers gathered in plenty in open spaces and terraces of buildings to watch the celestial show with curiosity and wonder. There were also public viewings organized in some places like Kulshekar, where experts explained the phenomenon to the gathered people.
Pilikula Regional Science Center and Amateur Astronomers' Association made arrangements for the public to view the eclipse. There was a special demo class for school children.
The eclipse started at 6:21:05 pm but people could not view it initially due to sunset on the opposite direction. Exactly at 6:30 pm, the moon with a light reddish colour could be sighted on telescopes. Thereater, minute by minute, the moon red. The eclipse will last till 9:38:26 pm.
Speaking to Daijiworld, K V Rao, director, Pilikula Regional Science Centre said, "This January we witnessed two full moons. The first one was sighted at the starting of this month on January 2. There will be no full moon next month. It is a very rare occurence.
"The Kulshekar area has a clear view of the eastern sky, so we chose this place to arrange the public viewing. We already built a modern, world class planetarium at Pilikula and next month we will inaugurate it. Once it is operational, people can watch all the wonders of the sky from there," he said.
Prof Jayanth of Amateur Astronomers' Association said, "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 we call it a 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 light brown, red glow. This is what is happening today. Some people call this the blood moon. Actually there is no blood or blue moon. There is no harm in viewing this wonder in naked eyes. Also, contrary to superstitions, nothing will happen if we eat during this time," he said.
Udupi
Speaking to daijiworld, Meenakshi, a student from a local school who came to watch the eclipse said, "I feel lucky to watch this eclipse. I have studied in my school about eclipse, but never experienced it. Now the organizers have given me an opportunity to watch it. Such arrangements go a long way in helping students in their studies."
Nishan, a resident of Vamanjoor said, "My mother told me not to eat anything at the time of eclipse. But I came here to understand facts of this phenomenon. After listening to Prof Jayanth I understand what eclipse is and how the moon turns red. I will now tell my mother about this."
In Ladyhill, rationalist Prof Narendra Nayak arranged a public viewing with the aim of proving superstitions related to the total lunar eclipse wrong.
In Udupi, scores of devotees bathed in the Madhwa Sarovar pond in Sri Krishna Math along with Paryaya Palimar Swamiji, Krishnapura Swamiji and junior swamijis of Pejawar and Admar Maths. Special pujas were also performed.