Lunar eclipse on 15 June 2011

Lunar eclipse means the earth coming between the moon and the sun for a brief period so that the moon is either partially or completely covered by the Earth's shadow. Total lunar eclipse means that the moon will be totally covered by the Earth's shadow, making it seem to darken during the height of the event. Two types of lunar eclipse - Umbra and Penumbra. Umbra is the darkest part of the shadow, where the light source is completely blocked by the occluding body. The is the region in which only a portion of the light source is obscured by the occluding body.

June 15, 2011 is the darkest night in 100 years. Total Lunar eclipse will takes place on this day. It is the first of two Lunar eclipses in the year and the second will occur on December 10, 2011. This is relatively a rare central eclipse where the sun, the earth and the moon would nearly come on one straight line. The last Lunar eclipse was occurred on August 6, 1971 and next one would occur on June 6, 2058.

Those living in the Eastern Africa, Middle East, Central Asia and Western Australia can have the opportunity to view the complete Lunar eclipse from the beginning to end. At mid-eclipse the Moon will be over head at Mauritius.

People who are living in India, Dubai, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Malaysia and western parts of Australia can have the opportunity to view the Total Lunar eclipse. In India, Total Lunar eclipse ( Chandra Graham) will be taking place between 11.53 pm to 03.32 am early morning on June 16, 2011. In between 00.53 hrs to 02.33 hrs, the moon is fully covered and lasts for 100 minutes.

Beginning from 10.53 pm onwards, the penumbra shadow of the earth is not much visible till 11.53 pm as the moon will be in the umbra of the earth's shadow. This will be quite noticeable to the naked eyes.

Don't miss this spectacular event of this year.