Lunar Eclipse Today! Here is what to do
A total lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth passes between the sun and the moon, casting the moon completely in shadow. The eclipse will start at around 7:45 a.m. EST (4:45 a.m. PST, 1245 GMT), when the shadow of the moon inches across the lunar disk.
The reason why the moon looks red during a lunar eclipse is because there is a high concentration of particles in the air, such as dust and smoke. These particles “scatter” away the short and intermediate wavelengths of light (violet, blue and yellow), leaving only the longer wavelengths (orange and red) to reach our eyes.
A total lunar eclipse images
A total lunar eclipse Pictures
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The celestial show will be visible from parts of North America, with those in the western portions of Canada and the United States particularly well placed for the event. People in Alaska, Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand, and central and eastern Asia should also be able to catch sight of the reddened moon. (Space.com)
Those who are able to see the eclipse should perform the special Sunnah prayer, known as Salat-al-Kusuf.
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| A total lunar eclipse |
This is a wonderful opportunity to engage in a prayer that is possible only a few times in your life. So depending on which side of the globe you are on take the time out for this prayer.
A total lunar eclipse will occur on December 10, 2011. This will be second of two lunar eclipses in 2011. The first was in June. There will not be another lunar eclipse for three years.
It will be visible from all of Asia and Australia, will be seen rising over eastern Europe and setting over North America.
A lunar eclipse occurs when the moon goes behind the earth so that the earth blocks the sun’s rays from reaching the moon. This can occur only when the moon, earth, and sun are aligned. Unlike a solar eclipse, which can only be viewed from a relatively small area of the world, a lunar eclipse can be viewed by the majority of the world. Also, it is safe to view a lunar eclipse, unlike a solar eclipse which leaves people blind.
The reason why the moon looks red during a lunar eclipse is because there is a high concentration of particles in the air, such as dust and smoke. These particles “scatter” away the short and intermediate wavelengths of light (violet, blue and yellow), leaving only the longer wavelengths (orange and red) to reach our eyes.The eclipse’s total phase will last for 51 minutes. It will start at at 11:33:36 Universal Time with totality starting at 14:06:16 UT.
A total lunar eclipse images
A total lunar eclipse Pictures
