PENUMBRAL LUNAR ECLIPSE; JULY 4-5, 2020
Missed your chance on the last one? No worries! Another lunar eclipse is scheduled to occur on the 4thand 5th of July, 2020, the third of the year 2020. On these days, the moon, our nearest celestial neighbour and one of the most breathtaking celestial objects that beautifies our sky would experience a partial darkness. Read on for more about the eclipse.
REGULAR FULL MOON VS PENUMBRAL LUNAR ECLIPSE
ECLIPSE: This astronomical event is characterized by a celestial body coming in the shadow of another celestial body, giving rise to partial or complete darkness. Two types of eclipses are visible from our planet:
SOLAR ECLIPSE: It happens when the moon comes between the Sun and the Earth and casts a shadow on our planet. Depending on our place of residence on Earth and the exact distance from the moon, we may see one out of an annular, partial or total solar eclipse.
LUNAR ECLIPSE: It happens when the earth comes between the sun and the moon and its shadow is cast on the moon. Depending on where the moon lies in the shadow of the Earth, we may get to witness one out of the following lunar eclipses:
- Penumbral lunar eclipse
- Partial lunar eclipse
- Total lunar eclipse
VIEW OF THE MOON DURING VARIOUS LUNAR ECLIPSES
SHADOW REGIONS OF THE EARTH: Just like the shadow of every other object, the earth’s shadow can be divided into umbra and penumbra region.
UMBRA AND PENUMBRA OF EARTH’S SHADOW
- A TOTAL LUNAR ECLIPSE would be visible if the moon lies in the Umbra region of the shadow of our planet.
- A PENUMBRAL LUNAR ECLIPSE would be visible if the moon lies in the Penumbra region of the shadow of our planet.
- A PARTIAL LUNAR ECLIPSE would be visible if the moon lies both in the Umbra and the Penumbra region of the shadow of our planet.
POSITION OF MOON DURING A PARTIAL LUNAR ECLIPSE
JULY 4-5, 2020: Make plans with your family and friends to watch the moon turning darker than usual during this event of a penumbral lunar eclipse.
REGIONS IN PINK AND DARK BLUE WOULD WITNESS THE PENUMBRAL LUNAR ECLIPSE ON JULY 4-5, 2020
WHEN AND WHERE: The times below are actual times in UTC when the eclipse occurs.
P.S.: It will not be visible from India
Regions seeing, at least, some parts of the eclipse: South/West Europe, Much of Africa, Much of North America, South America, Pacific, Atlantic, Indian Ocean, Antarctica.
PREPARING YOURSELF FOR A LUNAR ECLIPSE: Unlike a solar eclipse, lunar eclipses are safe to be observed through naked eyes. So get ready to view this penumbral lunar eclipse and especially if you missed the previous one!
MYTHS ABOUT LUNAR ECLIPSE: Just like folk tales and legends around the solar eclipse, people also believe that lunar eclipse brings bad luck and disasters.
- The Inca feared that a lunar eclipse was caused by a jaguar attacking the moon. They’d try to drive it away by making noise, including beating their dogs to make them howl and bark.
- Some Hindu folktales interpret lunar eclipses as the result of the demon Rahu drinking the elixir of immortality.
- Christianity has equated lunar eclipses (blood moon during a total lunar eclipse) with the wrath of God, and often associates them with the crucifixion of Jesus.
SCIENCE AND MYTHS: Scientists and astronomers around the world have debunked the folk tales which revolve around the event of an eclipse. There is no scientific evidence of an eclipse bringing bad luck, disasters or diseases to our world. So get ready to witness the third lunar eclipse of 2020 and prepare yourselves for more!
