Astronomers across the world are in for a treat as both the lunar and the solar eclipses will be recorded in the month of June.?
Naturally, this will be a unique chance for the scientists and astronomers to study the both the astronomical events like never before. Best part is you can see both the solar and lunar eclipses in India, and we tell you how to see them, time of eclipse, and more information below.
Interestingly, both the eclipses will be observed in India. While the Penumbral Lunar Eclipse (partial) will take place on the night of June 5 to June 6, an Annular Solar Eclipse will take place on June 21.
For those unaware, an eclipse is observed when the light from one celestial body is blocked by another, before it reaches a third body. This means that the celestial body in between casts a shadow on the third body.
The two basic types of eclipses are observed by different orientations of the Sun, the Earth and the Moon. When the light of the Sun is obstructed by the Moon (i.e. the Moon is aligned between the Sun and the Earth), we observe a solar eclipse on Earth. On the other hand, when the Moon falls under the shadow of the Earth (i.e. the Earth is aligned between the Sun and the Moon), a lunar eclipse is observed. Let us have a look at both of these -
A Penumbral Lunar Eclipse, like the one to be observed on 5 to 6 June, takes place when the Moon lies in the penumbral (outer) shadow of the Earth. Penumbral eclipses are difficult to spot and only take place when the three celestial bodies are not perfectly aligned.
The Penumbral Lunar Eclipse to be observed in June will visible from Asia, Australia, Europe, and Africa. The peak visibility of the eclipse will be at 12:54 AM on 6 June.
Expect to see what can be deemed as a full moon from almost any city in India.
An Annular Solar Eclipse that will be seen on 21 June takes place when the Moon is perfectly aligned in between the Sun and the Earth. The result is visible in the form of an outer ring of the sun, from where it derives its name - Annulus (ring).
The Solar eclipse will be visible from parts of Africa including Central Africa, Congo, and Ethiopia. In addition it will be observed in most of North India along with South of Pakistan and China.
Peaking at 12:10 AM on June 21, the eclipse will be completely visible in the Indian regions of Rajasthan, Haryana, Gharsana, Sirsa, Dehradun and Tehri and will be partially visible in Delhi.
Interestingly, the two eclipses will be a part of a total of six eclipses marked in the year 2020. While four lunar eclipses, including the one mentioned above, will only be partial, the two solar eclipses will include one total and one annular solar eclipse (the one on June 21) as two rare astronomical events.