Total Lunar Eclipse or "Blood Moon" is on April 4, 2015 and will be visible in most of North America, South America, Asia and parts of Australia. The Moon will be totally eclipsed (totality) for about 5 minutes. From beginning to end, it will last for 3 hours and 29 mins.
A Blue Moon combined with a Supermoon (when the Moon is at its closest point to Earth and appears to be 14 percent bigger and 30 percent brighter than normal) the rare phenomena is called a Super Blue Blood Moon happens. Supermoons generally only occur once every 14 months and will not happen again until January 2019.
The last time all of these events occurred simultaneously in the Western hemisphere was 1866.
Despite Rumors the World Did Not End
The views of pastors Blitz and Hagee gathered attention in early 2014, because the eclipses in the tetrad coincide with important Jewish festivals. The eclipses in April 2014 and April 2015 occur at the same time as Passover, while the October 2014 and September 2015 eclipses occur during theFeast of Tabernacles. Some people took this coincidence as a sign of the end times.
Others have dismissed any apocalyptic significance of the tetrad. Data of past eclipses show that at least eight lunar tetrads have coincided with Jewish holidays since the First Century. Additionally, the Jewish Calendar is a lunar calendar and Passover always occurs around a Full Moon. And because a Total Lunar Eclipse can only occur on a Full Moon night, it is very likely for an eclipse to take place on or near Passover.
In conclusion, scientists and astronomers have found no reason to believe that the current lunar tetrad is a sign of the world to end. Even mainstream religious organizations have debunked this claim, so don't start hording end-of-the-world supplies just yet!
Get ready for one awesome total lunar eclipse early Saturday morning April 4th. For the third time in less than a year, the Moon dips into Earth’s shadow, its dazzling white globe turning sunset red right before your eyes. All eclipses are not-to-miss events, but Saturday’s totality will be the shortest in a century. Brief but beautiful – just like life
Phases of Moon
Moon phases depend on the position of both the Sun and Moon with respect to the Earth. The 4 primary phases of the Moon are: new, first quarter, full and third quarter.
Time lapse picture of Moon phases
The intermediate phases between the primary phases are, waxing crescent, waxing gibbous, waning gibbous, and waning crescent.
Lunation
A lunation is a cycle of the Moon. It starts at new moon and lasts until the next new moon.On average, it takes the Moon 29 days 12 hours 44 minutes to go from one new Moon to the next. This time frame is called a synodic month. The duration of a synodic month varies from one lunation to another, most importantly because the orbit of the Earth and Moon are ellipses rather than circles, where the orbit speed depends on how close the orbiting object is to the mass center. For example, the Moon moves faster when it is closest to the Earth. Some years, such as 2004, have relatively small duration differences throughout the year (five hours difference between minimum and maximum duration), while the year 2008 will have larger differences (more than twelve hours).
New Moon
A new moon is the moment when the Sun and Moon are in conjunction, meaning that the Sun and Earth are on the opposite sides of the Moon.
A New Moon cannot normally be seen from the Earth since only the dark side of the Moon faces the Earth at New Moon. Sometimes, if the New Moon is close to the Lunar nodes of its path, it causes a Solar
Some Facts About the April 4, 2015 Total Lunar Eclipses
On April 4, 2015 a Total Lunar Eclipse will be visible from most of North America, South America, Asia and parts of Australia & partially in Mumbai (India). Here are some facts one should know about this Eclipse.
Different stages of Total Lunar Eclipse over Indianapolis, United States in February 2008.
It's the First Lunar Eclipse of 2015
2015 has 4 eclipses, the minimum number of eclipses that can happen in a calendar year. The first eclipse of the year, a Total Solar Eclipse took place on March 20. Two weeks later, on April 4, 2015 the Earth will move between the Sun and the Moon to mark the first Lunar Eclipse of 2015 – a Total Lunar Eclipse. This will be followed by a Partial Solar Eclipse on September 13, 2015, and another Total Lunar Eclipse on September 28.
It's Part of a Lunar Tetrad
The April 4, 2015 Total Lunar Eclipse is the third in a series of four Total Lunar Eclipses called the lunar tetrad. The first two eclipses of the tetrad took place on April 15, 2014 and October 8, 2014. The last eclipse will be on September 28, 2015.
Notice something interesting about the dates? Each of the Lunar Eclipses in the tetrad occurs about 6 months apart and has 5 full Moons between them!
Lunar tetrads can be rare in some centuries and can occur frequently in others. The 21st century will have eight lunar tetrads, the maximum number of lunar tetrads that can occur in a century. The last time this happened was in the 9th century!
The next lunar tetrad of the 21st century will start with the Total Lunar Eclipse on April 25, 2032
People in the U.S. Will Have Front Row Seats
Each of the eclipses in the tetrad is visible from all or many locations in the United States, weather permitting. People on the west coast of the U.S. will have some of the best views of the April 4, 2015 Total Lunar Eclipse. Some locations, however, may not be able to see the last stages of the Eclipse because they will happen after Moonset.
The U.S. East Coast will be able to see only a Partial Lunar Eclipse, since totality will take place after the Moon sets at these locations. Parts of Alaska and Hawaii on the other hand, will be treated to a striking eclipse of the Moon – from start to finish.
The eclipse will also be visible to people in Australia, New Zealand and Japan and partially in Mumbai(India).
Sunrise & Sunset Eclipse
For those in North America, the Eclipse will take place just before Sunrise, while for those in Australia and New Zealand, the Eclipse will take place after Sunset.
It's Being Called a Blood Moon
In recent years, the term Blood Moon has been frequently used to refer to Total Lunar Eclipses. Some sources suggest that the origin of the term in the context of the 2014-2015 lunar tetrad can be traced to Christian pastors Mark Blitz and John Hagee, who claim that the eclipses fulfill a Biblical prophecy of forthcoming difficult and trying times.
On the other hand, Blood Moon is not a scientific term used by astronomers. It is possible that the term came to describe Total Lunar Eclipses because of the reddish color the eclipsed Moon takes on during totality. This happens because of Rayleigh scattering, the same mechanism that causes colorful sunrises and sunsets and the sky to look blue.
Shortest Totality
The April 4, 2015 Total Lunar Eclipse is noteworthy for one more reason – totality will last only for 4 minutes and 43 seconds. This makes it the shortest Total Lunar Eclipse of the 21st century!
The whole Eclipse from start to finish will take 5 hours and 57 minutes. Due to the short totality, many sources are labelling the Eclipse as a Partial Lunar Eclipse.
This century's longest totality during a Total Lunar Eclipse will take place on July 27, 2018. Totality will last for 1 hour 42 minutes.
Part of Lunar Saros Series 132
Like Solar Eclipses, Lunar Eclipses tend to occur in 18 year long cycles called Saros Cycles. Lunar Eclipses separated by a Saros Cycle share similar features, including time of the year and thedistance of the Moon from the Earth. Eclipses that are separated by a Saros Cycle are included in a Saros Series.
The April 4, 2015 Lunar Eclipse belong to Saros Series 132. The series that includes 71 lunar eclipses began with a penumbral eclipse on May 12, 1492 and will end with another penumbral eclipse on June 26, 2754.
You Won't Need Protective Equipment to See the Eclipse
Lunar eclipses are some of the most spectacular and easy to view astronomical events. Unlike solar eclipses, which require specialized eye wear, a lunar eclipse can be viewed with the naked eye.
A Solar Eclipse Took Place Two Weeks Ago
Solar and Lunar Eclipses come in pairs – a Lunar Eclipse always takes place two weeks before or after a Solar Eclipse. The April 4, 2015 Total Lunar Eclipse was preceded by a Total Solar Eclipse that was visible in Europe.
Hinduism and Lunar Eclipse
Unless Lunar Eclipse is visible to the naked eye, it is of no significance to Hindus and Hindus don't consider it for any religious activities. Penumbral Lunar Eclipses are not visible to the naked eye hence no rituals related to Chandra Grahan should be observed. If Lunar Eclipse is visible during Umbral Phase then only it should be considered for religious activities. Most Hindu Calendars don't list Penumbral Eclipses.
If Chandra Grahan is not visible in your city but it is visible some city near to that then you should not observe it. Precautions which are advised during Sutak should be taken only if Chandra Grahan is visible in your city. Chandra Grahan is considered even if the Moon is not visible due to cloudy weather or some other weather conditions. Information about Sutak during Grahan or Eclipse.Sutak - Certain inauspicious time before Surya Grahan and Chandra Grahan is known as Sutak. According to Hindu beliefs, the Earth atmosphere is contaminated during Sutak and extra precautions should be taken to avoid any harmful side effects due to contamination.
Sutak Duration -
During Solar Eclipse Sutak is observed for 4 Prahars and during Lunar Eclipse Sutak is observed for 3 Prahars before Eclipse. There are total 8 Prahars from Sunrise to Sunrise. Hence Sutak is observed for 12 hours before Solar Eclipse and for 9 hours before Lunar Eclipse.
Eating During Grahan - All type of food items either solid or liquid are prohibited during Sutak and Eclipse. Hence one should not eat during twelve hours before Solar Eclipse and during nine hours before Lunar Eclipse till Eclipse is over. However for children, sick and old people food limitation is restricted to only single Prahar or 3 hours.
Sutak is observed only when Eclipse is visible at the place under discussion.
Precaution for Pregnant women - Pregnant women are strictly advised not to venture out during Eclipse. It is believed that due to contamination and malefic effects of Rahu and Ketu, the baby might become handicapped or disabled and probability of miscarriage is increased. Pregnant women are also advised not to cut or stitch any cloth or to do any other similar activities as these activities have similar effects on the baby.
Prohibited Activities -
Oil massage, drinking water, Mal-Mutra Visarjan, combing hair, brushing teeth and involving in sexual activities are prohibited during Eclipse.
Rituals After Grahan - It is advised to discard any cooked food and only freshly cooked food should be consumed after Eclipse. The food items like wheat, rice, other cereals and pickles which cannot be discarded should be protected by adding Kusha grass or Tulasi leaves. Once eclipse is over one should take bath and should make offerings or charity to Brahmins. Making offerings after Eclipse is considered highly beneficial.
Solar Eclipses In History viewed as Omens
Even though solar eclipses were historically viewed as omens that bring about death and destruction, people in many ancient civilizations tried their best to understand and predict them.
Eclipse History
Surviving records have shown that the Babylonians and the ancient Chinese were able to predict solar eclipses as early as 2500 BC.
The word eclipse, comes from ekleipsis, the ancient Greek word for being abandoned.
Global: Total Lunar Eclipse
India- Mumbai: Partial Lunar Eclipse
Maximum View in Mumbai(Bombay)
Begins: Saturday 4th April 2015 at 14.31 Hours
Maximum: Saturday 4th April 2015 at 18.59 Hours
Ends: Saturday 4th April 2015 at 20.29 Hours
P.S. Published this story after completion of Today's Lunar Eclipse and seeing myself that the World is alive.
Note:
Persons, locality, area, organizations, companies or products listed in the story are collected from various sources and are for the purpose of writing post only and no actual attitude toward or connection with such is to be inferred.
GRATEFUL:
My Parents( My GOD and GODDESS )
Launchora
Universetoday
Timeanddate
My Friends and Associates
Best Regards.
Pavan Datta