The
first lunar eclipse of 2021 wil occur on may 26th this will also be the only total
lunar eclipse of the year so it is a must-watch for all the sky watchers. The
lunar eclipse occurs when the Sun, Earth and Moon align up in a straight line
for the Earth’s shadow to fall on the
surface of the moon. Due to the Earth’s shadow the moon appears to be slightly reddish
in color giving it a name Blood Moon.
This
time the full Moon will also be a Super Moon. The Orbit of Moon around the Earth
is not
circular, it is somewhat elliptical, which means that it is closer to the Earth
for some time
and far for the other time. If the full Moon phase happens to coincide with the
time, it is closest to the Earth. This moon is called a super moon. A lunar eclipse can happen only
on the night of a full Moon.
Lunar
eclipses are also known to have predicted Earthquakes. An Earthquake of magnitude
6.7 richter scale occurred on February 9,1971 in the foothills of the San Gabriel mountains
in southern California. 15 hours later a total lunar eclipse took place. Many
suggested that the alignment of Sun, Earth and the Moon was responsible. It is
believed that the Sun and Moon were pulling the Earth in exactly opposite
directions on that day, as a
result the Earth is expanded into the shape of a rugby ball instead of a sphere.
The title and gravitational forces caused by this expansion may have triggered
the Earthquake. However any relation is highly inclusive.
The
total lunar eclipse of may 26 will be
visible in Australia, New Zealand, parts of the Western US, Western South America
or in Southeast Asia for the duration of 14 minutes. While a partial lunar
eclipse will be visible in places like Eastern US, Eastern South America, India,
China, Indonesia and Japan.
It
is totally safe to watch a lunar eclipse with naked eyes and poses no harm
whatsoever. An eclipse never comes alone, A solar eclipse always occurs about
two weeks before or after a lunar eclipse. For this reason be curious and eager
to watch the annular solar eclipse on June 10,2021
Stay safe and Thanks
for reading….
