On 31st January, Wednesday, the country would have chance to witness the phenomenal view of Super Blue Moon and the total lunar eclipse after 152 years. The same lunar event had last occurred on March 31, 1866.
Nepalis across the country would get to witness the phenomenal triad of supermoon, blue moon, and total lunar eclipse on Wednesday, January 31.
“The moon will rise at 5:37 pm in Nepal. The eclipse will start at 5:33 pm as per the local time and end at 8:57 pm. The total lunar eclipse will occur at 6:36 pm and will last for a span of one hour sixteen minutes,” said the Chairperson of Nepal Astronomical Society, Suresh Bhattarai.
“During the partial phase, the moon will be seen blood red,” he added.
BLUE MOON
“People call NASO and ask whether the moon will be seen blue in colour. That is not true. It is just two full moons happening in a single month,” expressed Bhattarai.
Blue moon is a lunar event that normally occurs once every two and a half years. According to the Gregorian calendar, when two full moons occur in the same month it is termed as blue moon. Earlier, the full moon was on January 1 this year.
SUPERMOON, BLOOD MOON
While revolving in its elliptical path, the moon would be at a distance of 384,000 kilometres. It would look 30 times brighter and 14 times closer than the average full moon, hence providing a visual treat to the skygazers tomorrow.
It is also a ‘blood moon’ because the portion of the moon will be seen blood red when covered by the shadow of the Earth.
ECLIPSE
The lunar eclipse occurs when the moon passes in the earth’s shadow.
“It is also a good opportunity for the astrophysicists to research. Also, for the general public, it will be a treat to witness the rare phenomenon,” stated Bhattarai.
The eclipse can be observed with naked eyes as well. We do not need binoculars, telescopes and other equipment to see the celestial event, claimed the NASO Chair. “You can just go to your rooftop and gaze at the north-east direction to watch the lunar event.”
Some parts of the eclipse can also be seen from the US, Europe, Australia, Canada and the northern Polar Regions.
COINCIDING WITH SWASTHANI PURNIMA
This rare celestial phenomenon has coincided with the concluding day of Swasthani Purnima, one of the greatest festivals among Hindus in the country. The festival begins on Poush Shukla Purnima as per the lunar calendar and lasts for a month.
This year, the concluding day befalls on the eclipse day, which has raised doubt among the general public reciting the holy book of Swasthani regarding concluding day of the month-long festival.
Talking to THT Online, Associate Professor at the Nepal Sanskrit University Amoda Acharya, who holds a PhD in Vedic Studies said, “Well, there are no such restrictions mentioned in the Vedic principles. But, one can conclude it on ‘purvanga’, the eve of Swasthani Purnima. “Purvanga is the time when even Sutak(the period of abstention observed by the Hindus after the death or birth of a family member) does not come into effect.”
However, according to astrologer Dil Raj Padhyaye, the ‘Sutak’ period starts from 8:22 am tomorrow and lasts till the eclipse at 8:57 pm.
“Eclipses are a good time for performing puja, reciting ‘paath’ (holy scriptures), and donating goods among others. One can easily recite the holy book. But during the eclipse, they cannot receive tika and prasad as the Sutak period begins,” he added.
The eclipse will not hamper elderly, children and people with ailments, he stated.
Many might believe that devotees are not allowed to receive the tika and prasad on the concluding day of the Bratakatha due to the eclipse. However, Padhyaye assured that after the penumbral eclipse ends, the devotees are allowed to carry on with the normal proceedings of the Bratakatha including the tika and prasad as it will not have any adverse effect on them.
Meanwhile, if some of the devotees do not feel comfortable with concluding the Bratakatha on the day of the eclipse, then coming Monday, panchami of the lunar calendar, will be favourable to conclude the one-month long festival.
