An eclipse of moon scientifically termed as ‘Penumbral Lunar Eclipse’ will occur tonight.
This will be year’s first penumbral lunar eclipse, which will be visible in the country as well as Odisha. As per Indian Standard Time, the rare celestial event will begin at 8.44 pm. The Maximum eclipse will occur at 10.52 pm. It will end at 1.01 am on May 6, informed Subhendu Patnaik, the Deputy Director of Bhubaneswar-based Pathani Samanta Planetarium.
However, this eclipse of Moon is not noticeable to bare eyes as Moon passes from lighter of shadow of earth called Penumbra than darker shadow called Umbra, he said.
Mr Kumar said though PSI can’t comment or suggest about Eclipse Rituals, in public interest it can say, knowingly or unknowingly since ages only the Umbra phase is considered as actual eclipse by general public to follow various rituals and traditions.
Whereas unnoticeable Penumbra passage of moon from earth’s lighter shadow without any darkening of Moon was never considered for the same.
‘’A penumbral eclipse of the Moon is not to be taken as an eclipse of the Moon in the ordinary sense, as the Moon is not covered by the real shadow of the Earth during such an eclipse”, according to Positional Astronomy Center, IMD, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India.
However scientifically speaking all lunar eclipse begin and end with moon entering and leaving the penumbra (lighter outer shadow of earth). Even penumbral lunar eclipses provide an opportunity for scientific research. Hence using an astronomical telescope involving imaging techniques with keen eye one may observe slight change on disk of moon as seen from earth.
Why Not Noticeable to bare Eyes?:
Scientifically speaking the phenomena of “Lunar Eclipse”, it’s not noticeable to naked eye because moon passes through lighter outer shadow (penumbra) of Earth and no notable darkening can be witnessed.
Whereas if Moon was to pass through darker shadow (umbra) people would have witnessed darkening of Moon with bare eyes, Mr Kumar explained.
Normally astronomical organisations across the world and in India organize special events inviting general public when a celestial event is visible. However in the recent times, with selfish motives in mind, few individuals/ organizations has been making viral videos/articles of various celestial events even though there are questions on visibility.
And there are some who are causing fear and stress in mind of pregnant women claiming harmful effects of eclipse on unborn child. And as a solution they are giving unauthorized medical advice imposing various restrictions on movement, intake of food, attending nature call on pregnant women.
These advices if followed can be dangerous. Whereas it’s clearly proved Cleft Pallete is genetic medical condition of health. And any other deformities in unborn child have specific medical conditions/reasons but not due to occurrence of Eclipse, he said.
What is shocking to note attempt by few to make viral videos on Penumbral Lunar Eclipse even though it’s clear the eclipse is not noticeable to bare eyes.
It’s interesting to note that World Health Organisation (WHO) never in the past declared Eclipse as a Pandemic or Disease-causing event or never issued any health notification for women in India or across the world to follow during Eclipse.
Similarly, the Indian Government’s Health department has never issued any notification declaring Eclipse as a danger to an unborn child during eclipse. However social media is filled with images of pregnant women as thumbnails and raising unnecessary fear and stress, Mr Kumar added.
