Pictures from the Lunar Eclipse of the century

There were much talk about this Lunar eclipse because it was very special for this century. It was the longest total lunar eclipse of the century. Eclipses happens in June, July, August and September are usually depends upon the mercy of monsoon clouds. I remember many eclipses which washes in the Monsoon clouds. I have never witnessed Total Solar Eclipse. Shadow of the moon on earth surface is very small so it could visible from small geographical belt. On 22 July I was in that shadow belt, but monsoon clouds covered this show on that day. 

This time also I was feeling that, there are chances of happening this events under clouds only. From entire day sky was covering with thick clouds of monsoon. But, astronomy is full of surprises you never expect what will happen. This time when partial eclipse was going to start means around 11:45 pm I just peek out side and saw clouds were started getting clear and full moon appeared with bright red planet shining near to it. It was sudden. Then I immediately, take out my simple camera, DSLR camera. Binocular, camera stand, mobile and telescope. I just wanted to get ready with whatever came in my hand 😄. 

I got few good pictures from camera and did some telescopic observations. on the same day Mars was also in opposition to earth. Mars shining big brightly near to eclipsing moon. I took time to observe this red planet. It was very windy so mars detail was not visible clearly through telescope but if sky condition get settle in coming days then mars will be the great object to observe for next days. 

When moon moved into umbra of earth it turned into red. This time red color was bit darker from last 31 January eclipse. But it was great to see both Mars and Red Moon together. how many time we will get such opportunity. I struggle with my camera setting to capture this red pair. For an hour was awake. Then, clouds started gathering after giving good two and half hour of clear sky. I could see half of the eclipse part but it was great to observe and capture it. Here, are some clicks from the eclipse. 

The red pair of Planet Mars and eclipsed Moon

Blue Moon Rising

On 31 March we saw Blue moon. It was a rare that one calendar year saw two months of two full moons which was January and March. Next will be happening in 2037. I tried to take some pics of its rising from Sirohi, Rajasthan. Its a small town located down to the one of the mountain in Aravali range. This small mountain named as Mater Mata (named after a local godess) located to the east of town. So, its very beautifull site to watch celestial objects rising over it. This blue moon I captured some of pictures of rising moon. I am still understanding function of DSLR. I hope you will like it.

 As I said, earlier in my article on this blog Blue moon is not actually blue in color. It appear just as normal moon. The term actually meant to indiacate an extra full moon in a astronomical season or in a month.

Total Lunar Eclipse of 31 January 2018

Hi, everyone this is long time I have written anything on my blog. I have been doing my astronomy activities but did not shared them on this blog. Today i am going to share our some experiences and photographs of total Lunar eclipse of 31st January 2018. The special thing about this lunar eclipse was it was on Blue moon means it was second full moon in the same month. This Lunar eclipse was visible from the all of Asia. From India we could not see the first half of the eclipse. When moon rose in our horizon it was almost began the totality of eclipse.

Many people do not find Lunar eclipse exciting as solar eclipse. There might be many reasons like time duration. Lunar eclipse runs for longer than solar eclipse. Solar eclipse produce far more marvelous views than Lunar eclipse. But, I think lunar eclipse is impressive by its own way. It also produce fantastic views, mine favorite is traveling of Earths shadow over lunar landscape. if we observe it through telescope it definitely make you excited. In total lunar eclipse moon never disappeared like sun does in solar eclipse. In fact moon become red in color when it goes to total phase.

        Moon was in total phase when rose in sky

When earth comes in between sun and moon, suns light do not get cut entirely. But due to to earth's atmosphere which stands almost 60 kilometer high turns some of the sun light towards moon. This redness is different in different eclipses. It also depend on the dust particle activities in atmosphere. If dust particle get more in atmosphere then moon color turns more deep red.

 

Earth's shadow shape can be seen here

                                          Last touch of earth's shadow:The eclipse getting over

We arranged event for observing this lunar eclipse with some government teachers and some community members also came. it was nice to have interaction with them. teachers showed full interest in this event. First time they were looking eclipse through telescope. However, we noticed that some of the community members hesitate to watch lunar eclipse. They might have thought that this can bring bad omen to them. We had discussion with them that there is no such thing like bad omen. But for grown ups its very hard to leave their notions.
Before, this eclipse we went to some schools in rural areas and discuss about eclipse with students over there. Students were more curious to know about such things. In my own experience I believe that young students can help us to work towards such myths rooted in society. They are open towards learning. they asks questions to at least their parents and relatives and make them to watch such events which people thinks bad.
Anyway, such events like eclipse gives us opportunity to go in common people and talks about the scientific thinking and rational against traditional thinking of religions and myths. It also help us to make dialogue on such issues and make people aware against false beliefs.