In what phase of the moon is a lunar eclipse. What is a lunar eclipse and how to observe it? The essence of a lunar eclipse
A lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon (in its full moon phase) enters the cone of the shadow cast by the Earth. The diameter of the Earth's shadow spot at a distance of 363,000 km (the minimum distance of the Moon from the Earth) is about 2.5 times the diameter of the Moon, so the entire Moon may be obscured. A lunar eclipse can be observed over half of the Earth's territory (where the Moon is above the horizon at the time of the eclipse). The view of the shadowed Moon from any observation point is the same. The maximum theoretically possible duration of the total phase of a lunar eclipse is 108 minutes; such were, for example, lunar eclipses on August 13, 1859, July 16, 2000.
At each moment of the eclipse, the degree of coverage of the Moon's disk by the earth's shadow is expressed by the eclipse phase F. The magnitude of the phase is determined by the distance 0 from the center of the Moon to the center of the shadow. Astronomical calendars give the values of Ф and 0 for different moments of the eclipse.
If the Moon falls into the total shadow of the Earth only partially, it is observed partial eclipse. With it, part of the Moon is dark, and part, even in its maximum phase, remains in partial shade and is illuminated by the sun's rays.
Around the cone of the Earth's shadow there is a penumbra - a region of space in which the Earth only partially obscures the Sun. If the Moon passes through the penumbra region, but does not enter the shadow, it occurs penumbral eclipse. With it, the brightness of the Moon decreases, but only slightly: such a decrease is almost imperceptible naked eye and is recorded only by instruments. Only when the Moon in a penumbral eclipse passes near the cone of total shadow can a slight darkening at one edge of the lunar disk be noticed in a clear sky.
An eclipsed Moon flickers in the sky above the Monument to the Savior of the World in San Salvador, El Salvador, December 21, 2010.
(Jose CABEZAS/AFP/Getty Images)
When a total eclipse occurs, the Moon takes on a reddish or brownish hue. The color of the eclipse depends on the state of the upper layers of the earth's atmosphere, since only the light passing through it illuminates the Moon during a total eclipse. If you compare pictures of total lunar eclipses different years, it is easy to see the color difference. For example, the eclipse of July 6, 1982 was reddish, while the eclipse of January 20, 2000 was brown. The Moon acquires these colors during eclipses due to the fact that the earth's atmosphere scatters red rays more, so you can never observe, say, a blue or green lunar eclipse. But total eclipses differ not only in color, but also in brightness. Yes, exactly, brightness, and there is a special scale for determining the brightness of a total eclipse, called the Danjon scale (in honor of the French astronomer Andre Danjon, 1890–1967).
The Danjon scale has 5 points. 0 - very dark eclipse (the Moon can barely be seen in the sky), 1 - dark gray eclipse (details are visible on the Moon), 2 - gray eclipse with a brown tint, 3 - light red-brown eclipse, 4 - very light copper-red eclipse (The moon is clearly visible, and all the main surface details are visible.)
If the plane of the lunar orbit lay in the plane of the ecliptic, then lunar (as well as solar) eclipses would occur monthly. But the Moon spends most of its time either above or below the plane of the Earth's orbit due to the fact that the plane of the lunar orbit has a five-degree inclination to the plane of the Earth's orbit. Consequently, natural satellite The Earth falls into its shadow only twice a year, that is, at a time when the nodes of the lunar orbit (the points of its intersection with the ecliptic plane) are on the Sun-Earth line. Then on a new moon there is a solar eclipse, and on a full moon there is a lunar eclipse.
At least two lunar eclipses occur every year, but due to the mismatch of the planes of the lunar and earth's orbits, their phases are different. Eclipses repeat in the same order every 6585⅓ days (or 18 years 11 days and ~8 hours - a period called saros); Knowing where and when a total lunar eclipse was observed, you can accurately determine the time of subsequent and previous eclipses that are clearly visible in this area. This cyclicality often helps to accurately date events described in historical records. The history of lunar eclipses goes back a long way. The first total lunar eclipse was recorded in ancient Chinese chronicles. Using calculations, it was possible to calculate that it happened on January 29, 1136 BC. e. Three more total lunar eclipses are recorded in the Almagest of Claudius Ptolemy (March 19, 721 BC, March 8 and September 1, 720 BC). History often describes lunar eclipses, which is very helpful in establishing the exact date of a particular historical event. For example, the commander of the Athenian army, Nicias, was frightened by the onset of a total lunar eclipse, panic began in the army, which led to the death of the Athenians. Thanks to astronomical calculations, it was possible to establish that this happened on August 27, 413 BC. e.
In the Middle Ages, a total lunar eclipse did Christopher Columbus a great favor. His next expedition to the island of Jamaica found itself in a difficult situation, food and drinking water were running out, and people were in danger of starvation. Columbus's attempts to obtain food from the local Indians ended in vain. But Columbus knew that a total lunar eclipse was about to occur on March 1, 1504, and in the evening he warned the leaders of the tribes living on the island that he would steal the Moon from them if they did not deliver food and water to the ship. The Indians just laughed and left. But as soon as the eclipse began, the Indians were seized by indescribable horror. Food and water were immediately delivered, and the leaders on their knees begged Columbus to return the Moon to them. Columbus, naturally, could not “refuse” this request, and soon the Moon, to the delight of the Indians, shone in the sky again. As we can see, an ordinary astronomical phenomenon can be very useful, and knowledge of astronomy is simply necessary for travelers.
Observations of lunar eclipses can bring some scientific benefit, as they provide material for studying the structure of the earth's shadow and the state of the upper layers of the earth's atmosphere. Amateur observations of partial lunar eclipses come down to accurately recording the moments of contact, photographing, sketching and describing changes in the brightness of the Moon and lunar objects in the eclipsed part of the Moon. The moments of the lunar disk touching the earth's shadow and leaving it are recorded (with the greatest possible accuracy) by a clock calibrated using precise time signals. It is also necessary to note the contacts of the earth's shadow with large objects on the Moon. Observations can be made with the naked eye, binoculars or telescope. The accuracy of observations naturally increases when observing through a telescope. To register eclipse contacts, it is necessary to set the telescope to its maximum magnification and point it at the corresponding points of contact of the Moon’s disk with the earth’s shadow a few minutes before the predicted moment. All entries are recorded in a notebook (a journal of eclipse observations).
If an astronomy enthusiast has a photoexposure meter (a device that measures the brightness of an object), then it can be used to construct a graph of changes in the brightness of the lunar disk during the eclipse. To do this, you need to install the exposure meter so that its sensitive element is aimed exactly at the disk of the Moon. The readings from the device are taken every 2-5 minutes and recorded in the table in three columns: brightness measurement number, time and brightness of the Moon. At the end of the eclipse, using the data in the table, it will be possible to display a graph of changes in the brightness of the Moon during this astronomical phenomenon. Any camera that has an automatic exposure system with an exposure scale can be used as an exposure meter.
Photographing the phenomenon can be done with any camera that has a removable lens. When photographing an eclipse, the lens is removed from the camera, and the body of the device is adjusted to the eyepiece part of the telescope using an adapter. This will be shooting with ocular magnification. If the lens of your camera is not removable, then you can simply attach the camera to the telescope eyepiece, but the quality of such a picture will be worse. If your camera or video camera has a Zoom function, there is usually no need for additional magnifying tools, because The dimensions of the Moon at maximum magnification of such a camera are sufficient for filming.
Nevertheless, best quality images are obtained by photographing the Moon at the direct focus of a telescope. In such an optical system, the telescope lens automatically becomes a camera lens, only with a larger focal length.
Almost every year there are at least two full moons when this strange phenomenon occurs - a lunar eclipse. A lunar eclipse is a partial or complete darkening of the Moon by a shadow or other celestial body. In principle, exactly the same definition applies to a solar eclipse. But a solar eclipse occurs when the Moon projects its disk onto the disk of the Sun and covers sunlight, going to Earth. And the lunar eclipse, to put it scientific language, is the immersion of the Moon in the cone of the Earth's shadow (the Earth is located on the line connecting the Sun and the Moon). The brightness of the lunar disk decreases greatly. Depending on which part of the Earth's shadow cone the Moon passes through, a lunar eclipse can be total (the Moon is completely immersed in the Earth's shadow), partial (at the maximum phase of the eclipse, only part of the Moon's disk is immersed in the Earth's shadow) and penumbral (the Moon passes only through Earth's penumbra). The duration of an eclipse is usually several hours.
Moon eclipse can only happen on a full moon. Eclipses occur cyclically: the lunar one occurs within an interval of fourteen days before or after the solar one.
A lunar eclipse can be observed at any point on Earth where the Moon is above the horizon. However, it is better not to do this.
It is no coincidence that even in ancient times, eclipses were signs or harbingers of terrible events. Even the names of this phenomenon reflected the attitude towards it. Eastern sages called the nodes of the lunar orbit “Dragon points”: the ascending, North Node - Head of the Dragon, descending, South Node - Tail of the Dragon. Such names were adopted because people believed that during an eclipse, the Sacred Dragon devours the Sun and the Moon in turn. And this clearly cannot indicate something good; on the contrary, it only foreshadows numerous disasters. The greatest astronomers of China and Babylon agreed with this, who paid great attention to the prediction and interpretation of lunar eclipses.
Sometimes we, with our rationalism, do not accept this ancient approach. But you shouldn’t tempt Fate once again. After all, it is not without reason that a lunar eclipse is one of the most unfavorable factors in human life. That is why so much attention is paid to it when interpreting a personal horoscope. An eclipse has a bad effect on health, current affairs, and even throughout life. However, the latter occurs when a person was conceived or born during a lunar eclipse. Being born on the day of an eclipse is considered a sign of fate. Although this does not mean at all that a person is destined to be a chronically ill person and a failure. But it will be more difficult for him to cope with life’s difficulties. By the way, astrologers have long noticed an interesting pattern. There is a so-called Saros cycle. It is equal to 18.5 years. So, if a person was born during a lunar eclipse, all the most important life events will happen to him through this period of time. And these events may be similar. For example, a person gets married at 18–19 years old, and if he later gets divorced, the next time he gets married is when he is 37–38 years old.
In addition, every time a lunar eclipse has an impact on the events that are happening to us now or will happen in the near future, as well as on our health. But you can protect yourself as much as possible from negative impacts. What needs to be done for this?
Moon eclipse can show in people a tendency towards depression and psychological instability, which threatens to commit rash acts that they will later regret.
Directly on the day when the eclipse is supposed to occur, two days before and two days after, do not start new things. Moreover, do not commit any fateful actions. This is the worst time for life important decisions and events. The reason is that a lunar eclipse enhances the negative vibration factors of the day. Even if these negative factors are small, under the influence of an eclipse they can become uncontrollable. About three months after the eclipse, you will reap the first “fruits”. But remember the Saros cycle: if you did something on this day, then the echoes of events can come back to haunt you almost twenty years later. Therefore, in addition to serious decisions, there is no need to do anything that could harm other people. This is the time when we are responsible for our every action.
If you follow the example of the ancient sages and wonder what events a lunar eclipse portends, you can find out. To do this, you need to take into account the degree at which the lunar eclipse occurs (and it occurs at a certain degree each time). This factor is easy to find out if you follow astrological news and know what is happening in the sky. Therefore, if you know that, for example, an eclipse will occur in the 20th degree of Scorpio, just look at what this position portends.
> Lunar eclipse
What's happened moon eclipse: characteristics of the phenomenon and its essence, formation scheme, calendar of lunar eclipses, total, partial, penumbral with photos, how to observe.
In essence, an eclipse is the complete or partial darkening of one object in the sky by another. Thus, moon eclipse- This is the immersion of the Moon in the cone of the earth's shadow. In this case, our planet is located on the line between the center of the Moon and the center of the Sun. The phenomenon occurs when the brightness of the Moon's disk decreases significantly.
Objects in space move, so the movement of the shadow across the lunar surface creates the phases of the moon during an eclipse. It is customary to distinguish between penumbral (the Moon is immersed only in the Earth's penumbra), partial (at the peak of the eclipse only part of the lunar disk is immersed in the Earth's shadow) and total (the lunar disk completely enters the Earth's shadow) lunar eclipses. That is, by understanding the level of the Moon’s immersion in the Earth’s shadow, you can understand what kind of lunar eclipse you are looking at. Observations of such phenomena can be carried out in any corner of the world where the Moon is located above the horizon. The average duration of an eclipse is several hours.
As stated above, lunar eclipses only occur during the full moon. If we imagine that the Moon revolves around our planet in the same plane in which the Earth revolves around the Sun, then observers could admire lunar eclipses at every full moon. However, the plane of the lunar orbit is at an angle of 5˚ to the plane of the ecliptic, therefore moon eclipse occurs only if the Moon approaches the nodes of its orbit. When the full moon and new moon fall into the zone of the Lunar nodes, lunar and solar eclipses are related.
Lunar eclipse calendar
Lunar eclipse calendar indicates the dates and year of future lunar eclipse events. You can see what the best visibility area on Earth will be, indicating the maximum phase point and area of the lunar eclipse. In addition, you can see the dates of past and future lunar eclipses, where the frequency and interval between eclipses are noticeable.
Lunar eclipses of 2014 |
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date |
Peak of the eclipse |
Saros |
Type of lunar eclipse 2014 |
Best area |
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07:46:48 |
Australia, Pacific Ocean, America |
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10:55:44 |
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Lunar eclipses of 2015 |
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date |
Peak of the eclipse |
Saros |
Type of lunar eclipse 2015 |
Best area |
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12:01:24 |
Asia, Australia, Pacific, America |
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02:48:17 |
Eastern Pacific, America, Europe, Africa, Western Asia |
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Lunar eclipses 2016 |
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date |
Peak of the eclipse |
Saros |
Type of lunar eclipse 2016 |
Best area |
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11:48:21 |
Asia, Australia, Pacific, Western America |
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18:55:27 |
Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, Western Pacific |
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Lunar eclipses 2017 |
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date |
Peak of the eclipse |
Saros |
Type of lunar eclipse 2017 |
Best area |
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00:45:03 |
America, Europe, Africa, Asia |
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18:21:38 |
Partial lunar eclipse |
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Lunar eclipses 2018 |
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date |
Peak of the eclipse |
Saros |
Type of lunar eclipse 2018 |
Best area |
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13:31:00 |
Asia, Australia, Pacific, Northwestern America |
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20:22:54 |
South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia |
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Lunar eclipses 2019 |
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date |
Peak of the eclipse |
Saros |
Type of lunar eclipse 2019 |
Best area |
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05:13:27 |
Pacific Ocean, America, Europe, Africa |
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21:31:55 |
Partial lunar eclipse |
South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia |
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Lunar eclipses 2020 |
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date |
Peak of the eclipse |
Saros |
Type of lunar eclipse 2020 |
Best area |
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19:11:11 |
Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia |
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19:26:14 |
Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia |
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04:31:12 |
America, south-eastern Europe, Africa |
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09:44:01 |
Asia, Australia, Pacific, America |
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Lunar eclipse: basic concepts
An incredibly beautiful cosmic phenomenon that is observed by a large number of people, but the description may contain not entirely clear terms and phases familiar to astronomy. Let's study them carefully. Also remember what conditions are needed for a lunar eclipse to occur, when the Blood Moon appears, and how this is affected by the distance of the satellite from the Earth.
Occurs at the moment when the Moon is completely immersed in the shadow space. The total phase of the eclipse lasts up to 1.5 hours, then the edge of the Moon again appears in the field of view.
An eclipse occurs at the moment when the Moon plunges into shadow with only one edge, and part of its surface remains illuminated.
Around the cone of the Earth's shadow there is a space where the Earth only partially obscures the Sun. In the event that the Moon crosses the penumbral region, but does not plunge into the shadow, a penumbral eclipse is observed. At this moment, the Moon's brilliance weakens slightly. It is almost impossible to notice this with the naked eye. And only during the period when the Moon approaches the cone of complete shadow in clear sky conditions can you see a slight darkening from one edge of the Moon.
The moment of greatest eclipse is an event that is characterized by the smallest distance between the axis of the Moon's shadow cone and the center of our planet. The point of greatest eclipse - area earth's surface, where you can observe the maximum phase of the eclipse at the moment of the greatest eclipse.
The essence of a lunar eclipse
The minimum distance from the surface of our planet to the Moon is about 363 thousand kilometers. Moreover, the size of the shadow that the Earth is capable of creating at such a distance is approximately 2.5 times greater than the diameter of the Moon itself. Therefore, it is able to completely cover the Moon. An eclipse occurs when the Moon enters the Earth's shadow. If the shadow completely covers the lunar disk, a total lunar eclipse occurs. This process is clearly demonstrated by the diagram of a lunar eclipse.
In that part of the earth's surface where the Moon is above the horizon, it is possible to observe a lunar eclipse, and from any point its appearance will be the same. From the rest half globe the eclipse is not visible. Scientists have calculated that the maximum duration of one total lunar eclipse can be 108 minutes. Eclipses like this don't happen very often. The last long eclipses were observed on August 13, 1859 and July 16, 2000.
The degree of shadow coverage of the lunar surface at each moment in time is called the phase of the lunar eclipse. The zero phase is calculated as the ratio from the center of the Moon to the center of the shadow cast by the Earth. Astronomical values of zero and phase are calculated for each moment of a lunar eclipse.
Cases when the Earth's shadow partially covers the Moon are called partial eclipses. In this case, part of the lunar surface is covered with shadow, and part is illuminated by the sun's rays or remains in partial shade.
The region of space where our planet does not completely block the sun's rays, located along the perimeter of the cone of the cast shadow, is called penumbra. If the Moon does not enter the shadow, but only falls into the penumbra region, then this phenomenon is called a penumbral eclipse. At the same time, the brightness of the Moon decreases slightly, which is almost invisible to the naked eye. Only when the Moon passes near the main cone of total shadow does a slight darkening occur on one side of the lunar disk. You can observe a penumbral eclipse using special devices.
Since at the moment of a total eclipse the Moon is illuminated exclusively by rays passing through the upper layer of the atmosphere, depending on its condition, the lunar disk becomes reddish or brownish in color. The difference in color can be seen by comparing photographs of lunar eclipses from different years.
For example, during the eclipse of July 6, 1982, the Moon had a reddish tint, and during the eclipse of January 06, 2000, it was slightly brownish. Blue or green solar eclipses does not happen because the Earth’s atmosphere has the property of scattering red rays to a greater extent.
Total lunar eclipses can differ in both color and brightness. To determine it, a special scale was developed, which was named after the famous French astronomer Andre Danjon. The gradation of this scale has 5 divisions:
- zero division means the darkest eclipse, when the Moon is barely visible in the sky;
- one means a dark gray eclipse, when some details become visible on the lunar surface;
- a two denotes a grayish eclipse with a brownish tint;
- a light reddish-brown eclipse is indicated by a three;
- during the last, brightest fourth type of eclipse, the moon becomes copper-red in color, during which all the main details on the surface of the lunar disk can be seen with the naked eye.
If the Moon’s orbit were in the ecliptic plane, then lunar and solar eclipses would be observed monthly. But, due to the fact that large quantity While the Moon spends above or below the Earth's orbital plane, it enters shadow only twice a year. The angle of inclination of the plane of the lunar orbit relative to the orbit of our planet is 5 degrees. Therefore, at moments when the Moon is located in a straight line between the Earth and the Sun, an eclipse occurs. During the new moon, the Moon blocks the sunlight, and during the full moon, it falls into the shadow of the Earth.
It happens that the gap between solar and lunar eclipses is small. There can be at least 2 lunar eclipses every year. Due to the fact that the lunar and earth's orbits are in different planes, the phases of eclipses may differ. Moreover, eclipses of the same phase are repeated with a certain periodicity. This period is called saros and is 6585⅓ days (18 years 11 days and 8 hours). Thus, knowing the time of the previous eclipse, you can determine with an accuracy of up to a minute when exactly the same next eclipse will occur in a particular area.
Such cyclicity is often used to determine the date and time of certain historical events described in old sources. The first total eclipse was described in ancient Chinese chronicles. After making certain calculations, scientists were able to find out that it dates back to January 29, 1136 BC. Information about three more eclipses is contained in the Almagest of Claudius Ptolemy and dates back to 04/19/721 BC, 04/08/720 AD. and 01.09.720 BC.
Lunar eclipses are mentioned quite often in historical chronicles. For example, the famous Athenian military leader Nicias was frightened by a lunar eclipse, panic began in his army, because of which the Athenians were defeated. After carrying out certain calculations, it was possible to establish the exact date of this event (08/27/413 BC).
Quite famous historical fact is the total lunar eclipse of 1504, which came to the aid of the expedition of Christopher Columbus. At that time they were in Jamaica and were experiencing difficulties with food and drinking water. Attempts to obtain provisions from the local Indians were unsuccessful. But Columbus knew for sure that a lunar eclipse would occur on the night of March 1st. He warned the leaders that if they did not deign to deliver travelers to the ship drinking water and food, then he will steal the Moon from the sky. With the onset of darkness, when the Moon disappeared, the poorly educated Indians were very frightened and supplied the travelers with everything they needed. They begged for the heavenly body to be returned to them, to which Columbus agreed. Thus, the expedition managed to avoid starvation.
How to watch a lunar eclipse
The characteristics of lunar eclipses have already become available to you, but why are they so interesting to researchers? There are some scientific benefits to be gained from observing lunar eclipses. Scientists collect and record materials about the state of the structure of the Earth's shadow and the upper layers of the atmosphere. Amateur astronomers often photograph eclipses and make sketches of them, describing changes in the brightness of objects located on the lunar surface. The moments of the Moon touching the shadow and those when it leaves its limits are accurately recorded. The moments of contact of the shadow with the largest objects on the lunar surface are also noted. Observations can be made with the naked eye, using binoculars or a telescope. It is clear that the technique helps to more accurately record the results of observations.
In order to make observations most accurately, you need to set your telescope to maximum magnification, pointing it directly at the points of contact between the shadow and the lunar surface. This must be done in advance, a few minutes before the expected eclipse. Usually all results are recorded in a special journal of lunar eclipse observations.
The same photo exposure meter
If an amateur astronomer has at his disposal a photoexposure meter (a special device that allows one to measure the brightness of an object), he can independently plot the change in the brightness of the Moon’s disk throughout the entire eclipse. To do this correctly, it is necessary to install the device so that its sensitive element is directed towards the center of the lunar disk.
Introduction —————————————————————————————————–3
Chapter 1. Lunar eclipses—————————————————————————– 5
1.1) Total eclipse————————————————————————————–5
1.2) Partial eclipse————————————————————————————-6
1.3) Penumbral eclipse——————————————————————————6
1.4) Annular eclipse————————————————————————7
1.5) Periodicity of lunar eclipses—————————————————————7
1.6) Historical events that occurred during lunar eclipses—————8
Chapter 2. Lunar eclipses in ancient times————————————————————-8
Chapter 3. Born in eclipses———————————————————————–10
Chapter 4. Energy impact of an eclipse———————————————–12
Conclusion—————————————————————————————————-13
Literature ————————————————————————————————-14
INTRODUCTION
A lunar eclipse is an interesting natural phenomenon, familiar to man since ancient times. It occurs relatively often, but is not visible from all areas of the earth’s surface and therefore seems rare to many. A lunar eclipse evokes different feelings. You can admire the copper-red disk of the Moon, the bluish rim along the edge of the shadow, rejoicing at how light and bright the eclipse has turned out to be today. Lunar eclipses, especially total ones, were feared no less than solar eclipses, because the Moon was not only covered with an incomprehensible shadow, but often became red, as if bleeding. In individual astrology, eclipses are still considered a negative factor that tends to have a bad influence on a person’s fate and health. But the degree of this influence is largely adjusted by the indicators of each individual horoscope: the most Negative influence Eclipses can affect those people in whose horoscopes they fall on the most important points - in the places where the Moon, Sun or Ascendant are located at the time of birth. In this case, the eclipse point connects with one of the main elements of the horoscope, which in reality may not have a very favorable effect on both the health and spheres of life of the owner of the horoscope.
The strength of the influence of eclipses depends on which field of the horoscope this connection occurs in, which fields of the individual horoscope are controlled by the Sun or Moon, and what aspects (harmonious or negative) other planets and elements of the natal chart form at the point of the eclipse. Generally speaking, solar eclipses tend to have a greater impact on social sphere, cause unfavorable situations of an objective nature, i.e. independent of human actions; lunar eclipses generally have a negative impact on inner world, subconscious reactions, emotions, moods and psyche of naturally sensitive people, to everyday everyday life and personal spheres. Both solar and lunar eclipses can adversely affect health, especially for those who are already “undermined”: the solar eclipse has a greater impact on men’s health, and the lunar eclipse on women’s health. Therefore, during the period of eclipses and the accompanying aura (+ - two weeks before and after the eclipse), it is recommended to provide increased attention your health and exercise caution in all matters: think through your actions in resolving important issues to the smallest detail, do not take risks in anything.
3
In world astrology, which is not related to a specific individual, but predicts natural and social processes, the development of events in
horoscopes of states, etc., eclipses also play a significant role. In particular, according to
The world map compiled at the beginning of the eclipse judges events in those countries and cities that are associated with the Zodiac sign located on the Ascendant of the map. Some modern astrologers believe that the influence of a solar eclipse extends only to those countries that are within the visibility range of this eclipse. According to others, the effect of the eclipse is manifested in the countries ruled by the zodiac sign in which the eclipse occurred.
Just as in individual astrology, in world astrology, the effect of eclipses is recognized as malefic. For example, the eruption of the Mont Pelee volcano on the island of Martinique, which destroyed the city of Saint-Pierre along with all its inhabitants, is associated with a solar eclipse that occurred on the same day (May 8, 1901), the visibility zone of which was located at the latitude of the island of Martinique.
In conclusion to all of the above, we can say the following: to believe or not to believe in the fact of the influence of eclipses on earthly life, to show curiosity or to be afraid of them - everyone is free to decide in connection with their personal ideas and worldview. But astrologers do not advise anyone to completely deny and ignore the likelihood of the influence of eclipses.
Astrologers are unanimous that a lunar eclipse brings purification, a rejection of outdated forms of work and distortion in the understanding of service.
Unfavorable situations during eclipses are associated with the activation of various magnetic fields surrounding the Earth's noosphere (including unknown ones modern science). Hence the increase in the number of suicides and alcoholic excesses, which is also associated with a noticeable increase in acute cardiovascular diseases, as well as overall mortality from other causes. Especially unfavorable period with a solar eclipse, it lasts about a week before the exact eclipse and 3 days after it. During a lunar eclipse, the dangerous period is shorter: 3-4 days before and 1-2 days after. When approaching its exact astronomical time, the eclipse has a stronger effect than after it, and usually immediately after the maximum phase the influence of the eclipse sharply weakens. On days of eclipses they become more active magnetic fields, so the person experiences increased levels of anxiety and stress, and some areas of the brain may be blocked. You should remember this and insure yourself.
Lunar eclipses are considered the most destructive factors in the entire astrological arsenal. There is an opinion that they bring not just negative, but also
fatal events, though only if their position affects important points in the horoscope of a person or country.
Chapter 1.
Lunar eclipses.
Fig 1. As seen for an observer on Earth, on an imaginary celestial sphere The Moon crosses the ecliptic twice a month at positions called the nodes. The full moon can occur at such a position, at a node, then a lunar eclipse can be observed. (Note: The scale is not respected)
1.2 Total eclipse
A lunar eclipse can be observed over half of the Earth's territory (where the Moon is above the horizon at the time of the eclipse). The appearance of the darkened Moon from any observation point differs negligibly from another point, and is the same. The maximum theoretically possible duration of the total phase of a lunar eclipse is 108 minutes; such were, for example, lunar eclipses on August 13, 1859, July 16, 2000.
During an eclipse (even a total one), the Moon does not disappear completely, but turns dark red. This fact is explained by the fact that the Moon continues to be illuminated even in the phase of total eclipse. Sun rays, passing tangentially to the earth's surface,
are scattered in the Earth's atmosphere and due to this scattering partially reach the Moon. Since the earth's atmosphere is most transparent to the rays of the red-orange part
Fig.2-View of the Moon during a lunar eclipse
An observer located on the Moon, at the moment of a total (or partial, if he is on the shadowed part of the Moon) lunar eclipse sees a total solar eclipse (eclipse of the Sun by the Earth).
1.2 Privateeclipse
If the Moon falls into the total shadow of the Earth only partially, it is observed partial eclipse. With it, part of the Moon is dark, and part, even in its maximum phase, remains in partial shade and is illuminated by the sun's rays.
Fig. 3-View of the moon during a partial eclipse.
1.3 Penumbral eclipse
Around the cone of the Earth's shadow there is a penumbra - a region of space in which the Earth only partially obscures the Sun. If the Moon passes through the penumbral region but does not enter the umbra, a penumbral eclipse occurs. With it, the brightness of the Moon decreases, but only slightly: such a decrease is almost imperceptible to the naked eye and
recorded only by instruments. Only when the Moon in a penumbral eclipse passes near the cone of total shadow can a slight darkening at one edge of the lunar disk be noticed in a clear sky.
Penumbral lunar eclipses do not cause much interest because they do not represent a bright celestial show. With it, the brightness of the Moon decreases, but only slightly: such a decrease is almost imperceptible to the naked eye.
1.4 Annular eclipse
An annular eclipse is the most interesting and important eclipse.
The type of eclipse is great importance. One cannot directly conclude from this that a partial eclipse leads to partial events. This is wrong. Very often the opposite phenomenon occurs. So, during a total eclipse, a person can fall into the center of a cyclone and nothing will happen to him, although everything around him is collapsing. During a partial eclipse, there is no center in the wheel, so you don’t know where to run. Therefore, any total eclipse is more predictable in effect.
There cannot be an annular eclipse of the Moon, since the Earth's shadow is larger than the Moon. The moon at its apogee gives birth to an annular eclipse. Therefore, an annular solar eclipse is considered the most powerful, as it awakens the karmic hidden in a person. resonance . Personal destiny is more influenced by partial and partial eclipses. Total eclipses have a greater impact on the fate of states, groups, and collectives, and include resonant phenomena.
1.5 Frequency of lunar eclipses
At least two lunar eclipses occur every year, but due to the mismatch of the planes of the lunar and earth's orbits, their phases are different. Eclipses repeat in the same order every 6585⅓ days (or 18 years 11 days and ~8 hours - a period called saros); Knowing where and when a total lunar eclipse was observed, you can accurately determine the time of subsequent and previous eclipses that are clearly visible in this area. This cyclicality often helps to accurately date events described in historical records. Strictly speaking, the Greeks called saros a period of 19,756 days (triple the value of modern saros). Now this period is called great saros. During Saros, 70–71 eclipses occur (42–43 solar and 28 lunar).
After the end of the saros, each eclipse is repeated, however, under slightly different conditions, since the saros does not contain a whole number of days. During this excess time, the Earth manages to rotate approximately 120°, so the lunar shadow moves along the earth's surface the same 120° to the west. In addition, the Sun and Moon, due to the incomplete coincidence of periods, will be at slightly different distances from the lunar node.
A series of solar eclipses usually consists of 66 - 74 saros (1190 - 1330 years) and consists of 18 - 32 partial and 48 - 42 central eclipses, after which it stops, and another series appears in its place. The series begins with a short-term partial eclipse with a very small phase near one of the Earth's poles. After 9 - 16 Saros, the sequence of central eclipses begins (from the same circumpolar region). Through each Saros, these eclipses occur closer to the lunar node and, accordingly, to the equatorial zone of the Earth. After crossing the node, the shadow and penumbra begin to move away again from the equatorial zone towards the opposite pole. After 48 – 42
Saros, the lunar shadow will slide off the Earth and this will end the period of central eclipses of this series, after which, over the course of 9–16 Saros, partial eclipses with an ever-decreasing phase again occur. After the lunar penumbra ceases to fall on the earth's surface, this series of eclipses stops.
Lunar eclipses are repeated in a series from 42 to 50 times (42 – 50 Saros). Of these eclipses, 18 to 22 are total.
1.6 Historical events that occurred during lunar eclipses
- On February 18, 1486, Caitanya Mahaprabhu was born.
- On December 21, 2010, for the first time in 372 years, a total lunar eclipse occurred on the winter solstice. It should be noted that this statement is true for Greenwich Time and for the Western Hemisphere of the Earth. In particular, for all time zones in Russia, the solstice occurred the next day, December 22. The next eclipse, coinciding with the winter solstice, will occur on December 21, 2094.
Chapter 2
Lunar eclipses in ancient times
Since ancient times, eclipses have made an indelible impression on people, and among some peoples they have been associated with mystical and fatal processes. For example, among the peoples of the East, the nodes of the lunar orbit are called the Dragon points (ascending, North Node - Head of the Dragon, descending, South Node - Tail of the Dragon), since from ancient times it was believed that at the moment of an eclipse the Sacred Dragon devours the Sun and the Moon in turn and this is absolutely certain. does not bode well: it can only bring new disasters to the Earth, up to and including a universal catastrophe. Similar myths on the topic of eclipses existed among many peoples of the world, so already in Ancient Babylon and China, predicting eclipses was seen as one of the most important tasks of an astronomer and astrologer. Many centuries have passed since then and earthly civilization has undergone many changes in worldview, which has left a certain imprint on the perception of cosmic phenomena. However, it is not entirely correct to consider the unfavorable influence of eclipses as just an outdated fiction of mystical-minded ancients.
The first total lunar eclipse was recorded in ancient Chinese chronicles. It is calculated to have occurred on January 29, 1136 BC. The next three recorded total lunar eclipses are mentioned in famous work“Almagest” by the outstanding ancient Greek astronomer Claudius Ptolemy, according to the ancient Babylonian chronicles. The first of them occurred in the 27th year of the era of Nabonassar or March 19, 721 BC, and the next two - on March 8 and September 1, 720 BC.
In the old days, a dark crimson, bloody lunar “eclipse” was a scarecrow. Not to mention those cases when the moon, to the surprise and alarm of eyewitnesses, completely disappeared from the sky! What if forever?!
Ancient inhabitants South America The Incas thought that the Moon turned red from illness and if she died, she would probably fall from the sky and fall. Knowing that the moon is big
friend of dogs, the Incas pulled dogs by the ears, calling out: “Mother Luna, Mother Moon!” Poor Moon, hearing the squeals and pleas, gathered all her strength to defeat the disease and resurrect with the same brightness (Fig. 4)
Fig. 4-Moon during an eclipse
The Normans imagined that the red wolf Mangarm again became bolder and attacked the Moon. The brave warriors, of course, understood that they could not harm the celestial predator, but, knowing that wolves cannot stand noise, they shouted, whistled, and beat drums. The noise attack sometimes continued for two or even three hours without a break.
In Ancient China in the third millennium BC. a lunar calendar was also developed, in which additional months were periodically included to harmonize it with the seasons of the year, and subsequently lunar-solar calendars of various systems were created, based on the change of lunar phases and the change of seasons of the year. Similar calendars were developed in many ancient states, and their goal was to introduce counting by lunar phases, but keep the beginning of the calendar year at a certain natural season. solar year. And only in the middle of the X? X century. Astronomers came to the aid of historians.
And in Central Asia The eclipse took place in complete silence. People watched indifferently as the evil spirit Rahu swallowed the Moon. No one made noise or waved their hands. After all, everyone knows that the good spirit Ochirvani once cut off half of the demon’s body and the Moon, having passed through Rahu, like through a sleeve, will shine again.
In Rus' it was always believed that an eclipse foreshadows trouble: “The month perished and came like blood... and in two hours it became full of light (and after two hours it brightened again).” And the chronicler remembers how the wise “old people” shook their heads and said: “This sign is not good!”
Chapter 3.
Born in eclipses
Gone are the days when people treated eclipses of the Moon, and even more so of the Sun, with trepidation and fear. Science has long understood the “physiology” of these natural phenomena. Therefore, I’m unlikely to be mistaken if I say that in modern society, only completely dense people continue to be terrified of eclipses.
However, astrological science since ancient times has not changed its attitude towards them, still rightly believing that people born during solar or lunar eclipses will face an interesting, often extraordinary fate.
To begin with, without going into complex astronomical definitions, let's remember that a solar eclipse is a temporary “shading” of the Sun by the Moon, when our planet and both luminaries line up (the Moon in this case occupies a position in the middle). Solar eclipses occur only during the new moon.
A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth appears in a position between the luminaries, covering our natural satellite with its shadow. Lunar eclipses can only occur during the full moon.
As a rule, both eclipses occur twice a year: two lunar and as many solar. Another thing is that they are not visible in all corners of our planet, but despite this, their influence on such days is equally on all people.
What are the “fraught consequences” for a person, from an astrological point of view, of being born on the day of an eclipse?
Astrology says the following about this:
- for the purposes of prediction, it is important not only to be born on the day of the eclipse itself, but also two days before it or two days after it. Therefore, people born during an eclipse are considered to be people born within a period of plus/minus two days from the date of its occurrence;
- It doesn’t matter at all what kind of eclipse a person was born under. Both solar and lunar eclipses have the same impact on the personality and fate of such a person. It also doesn't matter whether the eclipse was total or partial;
- any professional astrologer will say: in order to most accurately determine the impact of an eclipse on a specific human destiny, it is necessary to interpret it in the context of an individual (natal) horoscope, compiled on the basis of the date, time and place of birth of such a person.
Nevertheless, it is still possible to give several general interpretations for those born during an eclipse.
- A person born during a solar eclipse, during which there is almost always a “conjunction” of the Sun and Moon in one zodiac sign, is simply a textbook representative of such a zodiac sign. And if you take any more or less sensible astrological book with detailed description characteristics inherent in representatives of certain signs - such a person, reading the description of his zodiac constellation, will discover that it was “written like it.” The resemblance will be so impressive. In this case, they will be counted as positive
- characteristics and features, as well as negative aspects of character. By the way, such people need to take seriously and very carefully the daily astrological forecasts given for their zodiac sign. Most often, such predictions come true for people born under a solar eclipse.
- For everyone born during an eclipse, the algorithm of life events is significantly higher than for people born on other days. They live life brighter, richer, but also restless. Fate has prepared various kinds of surprises for them, the nature and outcome of which can be accurately determined only by studying the individual (natal) horoscope of such a person, or rather the place in his horoscope where the eclipse falls.
- One of the most important rules of astrology says: “The stars dispose, not force!” This means that a person, through volitional actions, has the power to change his destiny, which, in fact, is not something categorical and unchangeable. But in the case of people born during a lunar or solar eclipse, this rule practically does not apply (after all, in every science there are exceptions to the rules). The fact is that an eclipse in the horoscope carries with it a certain fatality, the programming of fate. And therefore, no matter how it develops, it can be very difficult for such people to change anything in life.
- Often people born during an eclipse suffer from hearing and vision from birth or with age. And the organs and physiological processes for which the sign (during a solar eclipse) or the signs (during a lunar eclipse) of the Zodiac in which the Sun and Moon fall are responsible can become very vulnerable to diseases (in an “affected” position, as astrologers say) or , on the contrary, will become the strongest and will pull a person out of his sores through other organs (if the eclipse is in a favorable position). For example, during a solar eclipse in Libra in an unfavorable position of the luminaries, the owner of such a horoscope will have serious kidney damage.
- The negative aspects of horoscopes in which an eclipse is observed include the increased propensity of such people to various kinds of extreme situations. Simply put, they are potentially more susceptible to dangers compared to people who have a horoscope similar in “dangerous factors”, but were not born under an eclipse.
- Therefore, those who were born on these days can be recommended to contact an astrologer so that he can annually draw up a predictive horoscope for them, indicating the periods during which it is advisable to take care.
In general, “children of an eclipse” are extraordinary individuals, often subconsciously feeling their own unusualness. Perhaps that is why many of them famous personalities who in their time seriously influenced the minds of mankind (Karl Marx, Pope John Paul II, Konstantin Tsiolkovsky and many others).
Chapter 4.
Energy impact of an eclipse
The effect of any eclipse can be compared to a kind of fog that envelops our planet. These days, the adverse effects on health and psyche are increasing. Mental state worsens.
It becomes more difficult to figure out what is good, what is bad, what suits and does not suit us. We are more easily influenced by bad influences. Often during this period we want to destroy something, to radically change something in our lives. Therefore, during the days of the eclipse, you need to take a break, not make important decisions, and not start new things. The consequences of what we change in our lives during eclipses can be called fatal.
At this time, secrets may be revealed, hidden details of the case, and hidden information may emerge.
It is not recommended to plan during the eclipse important events, think about the future, start important things, get married, conceive a child, engage in meditation and energy practices. You should sift out and limit the information you perceive, and attend less social events and entertainment venues. Alcohol is not recommended.
A lunar eclipse occurs near the Full Moon. It has a stronger effect on women, on personal, family issues and mental state.
The period of strong action of a solar or lunar eclipse is about 7 days before and after the eclipse itself. The general effect is about 10 – 14 days.
During the days of an eclipse, some people feel something like a black cloud over their heads, a certain pressure. Others get very nervous. Many people feel somehow uncomfortable, uncomfortable. In extreme cases, a person begins to “get carried away” and he commits actions that are not typical for himself and behaves strangely.
Scientists have proven that the properties of water are greatly changed by a solar eclipse. We can say that an eclipse is like an energy strike across our entire planet. And already 2 weeks before a total solar eclipse, the properties of water in different parts of the Earth change. Clean water becomes musty.
Things started during an eclipse can drag on until the next eclipse at the same zodiac point (about 19 years)
It is believed that people born during an eclipse have a complex, predetermined destiny. Doom often occurs in their lives, and they are powerless to change anything.
Conclusion
Lunar eclipses are an interesting natural phenomenon, familiar to man since ancient times. They occur relatively often, but are not visible from all areas of the earth’s surface and therefore seem rare to many. Any eclipse occurs when three celestial bodies: The Earth, Moon and Sun are lined up from the point of view of an earthly observer on one conventional straight line. If the Moon is located between the Earth and the Sun, then the eclipse is called solar, but if, on the contrary, the shadow of the Earth blocks direct sunlight from the Moon, then it is a lunar eclipse.
If the Moon is closer to the Earth, then the eclipse is considered total, and if it is further from the Earth, then the Moon appears smaller from the Earth and it then covers part of the Sun, and at the edges the Sun remains uncovered. This is where the annular eclipse comes from. An annular eclipse can occur when the Moon is far from the Earth, therefore, it is near its apogee. Our apogee point is called the Black Moon. This is why an annular eclipse cannot be good by definition. The effect of an eclipse, in general, except for the annular one, extends until the next similar eclipse. If a solar eclipse works strongly in your destiny chart, then it will work until the next solar eclipse. Lunar is valid until the next lunar eclipse
An eclipse of the Sun and Moon affects men and women differently, because men and women are different “hemisphere” people. In women, the right hemisphere functions better, and in men, the left hemisphere functions better.
If a person was born during an eclipse, then he will react to any eclipse. Moreover, such a person should be guided by eclipses in the main events of his life, i.e. You need to make forecasts only based on eclipses. Just like a person with a fatal horoscope, eclipses are the main forecasting techniques.
In this work, I tried to fully reveal the essence of lunar eclipses and show their extraordinary beauty. What attracts me to them is their mystery. Even people familiar with astronomy rarely think about the fact that we see our ancient luminary MA, essentially naked. Those whom the visit of the lunar shadow finds in the open air are simply forced to raise their eyes to the Sun - to find out what is happening to our cute yellow star - and to see his magical golden clothes. A spectacle for which scientists sometimes go deep into hot deserts and eternal ice, some lucky ones simply “fall out of the sky.” Few appreciate this. It's a pity. After all, the attendance of numerous spectators at such a rare and beautiful heavenly performance could easily be ensured by promptly reporting it through the media.
4) http://lunnoe.info/eclipse.htm
The Moon moves around the Earth in the same direction in which the Earth rotates around its axis. The reflection of this movement, as we know, is the visible movement of the Moon against the background of stars towards the rotation of the sky. Every day, the Moon moves east relative to the stars by approximately 13°, and after 27.3 days it returns to the same stars, having described a full circle on the celestial sphere.
The period of revolution of the Moon around the Earth relative to the stars(in the inertial frame of reference) called sidereal or sidereal(from Latin sidus - star) month. It is 27.3 days.
The apparent movement of the Moon is accompanied by a continuous change in its appearance - phase change. This happens because the Moon occupies different positions relative to the Sun and the Earth that illuminate it. A diagram explaining the changing phases of the Moon is shown in Figure 20.
When the Moon appears to us as a narrow crescent, the rest of its disk also glows slightly. This phenomenon is called ashen light and is explained by the fact that the Earth illuminates the night side of the Moon with reflected sunlight.
The period of time between two successive identical phases of the Moon is called a synodic month(from Greek synodos - connection); This is the period of the Moon's revolution around the Earth relative to the Sun. It is equal (as observations show) to 29.5 days.
Thus, the synodic month is longer than the sidereal month. This is easy to understand, knowing that the same phases of the Moon occur at the same positions relative to the Earth and the Sun. In Figure 21 mutual arrangement Earth T and Moon L corresponds to the moment of the new moon. After 27.3 days, Moon L, having made a full revolution, will take its previous position relative to the stars. During this time, the Earth T, together with the Moon, will pass through its orbit relative to the Sun an arc TT 1 equal to almost 27°, since it shifts by about 1° every day. For Moon L 1 to take its previous position relative to the Sun and Earth T 1 (arrive at the new moon), it will take another two days. Indeed, the Moon travels 360° in a day: 27.3 days = 13°/day, in order to pass an arc of 27°, it needs to. 27°: 13°/day=2 days. So it turns out that the synodic month of the Moon is about 29.5 Earth days.
We always see only one hemisphere of the Moon. This is sometimes perceived as a lack of axial rotation. In fact, this is explained by the equality of the periods of rotation of the Moon around its axis and its revolution around the Earth.
Check this by circling an object around you and at the same time o rotating it around its axis with a period equal to the period of the traversal.
Rotating around its axis, the Moon alternately turns its different sides towards the Sun. Consequently, there is a change of day and night on the Moon, and sunny day equal to the synodic period (its revolution relative to the Sun). Thus, on the Moon the length of the day is equal to two earthly weeks and our two weeks constitute night there.
It is easy to understand that the phases of the Earth and the Moon are mutually opposite. When the Moon is almost full, the Earth is visible from the Moon as a narrow crescent. Figure 42 shows a photograph of the sky and lunar horizon with the Earth, of which only its illuminated part is visible - less than a semicircle.
Exercise 5
1. The crescent moon in the evening is convex to the right and close to the horizon. Which side of the horizon is it on?
2. Today the upper culmination of the Moon occurred at midnight. When is the Moon's next upper climax?
3. At what intervals do the stars culminate on the Moon?
2. Lunar and solar eclipses
The Earth and Moon, illuminated by the Sun (Fig. 22), cast shadow cones (converging) and penumbral cones (diverging). When the Moon falls completely or partially into the Earth's shadow, complete or partial lunar eclipse. From Earth, it is visible simultaneously from everywhere where the Moon is above the horizon. The total lunar eclipse phase continues until the Moon begins to emerge from the Earth's shadow, and can last up to 1 hour 40 minutes. The sun's rays, refracted in the Earth's atmosphere, fall into the cone of the earth's shadow. In this case, the atmosphere strongly absorbs blue and adjacent rays (see Fig. 40), and transmits mainly red rays, which are absorbed less weakly, into the cone. This is why the Moon turns reddish during a major eclipse phase and does not disappear completely. In the old days, eclipses of the Moon were feared as a terrible omen; they believed that “the month is bleeding.” Lunar eclipses occur up to three times a year, separated by almost six-month intervals, and, of course, only on the full moon.
A solar eclipse is visible as a total eclipse only where a spot of the moon's shadow falls on the Earth.. The diameter of the spot does not exceed 250 km, and therefore at the same time a total eclipse of the Sun is visible only on a small area of the Earth. As the Moon moves through its orbit, its shadow moves across the Earth from west to east, tracing a successively narrow band of total eclipse (Fig. 23).
Where the penumbra of the Moon falls on the Earth, a partial eclipse of the Sun is observed.(Fig. 24).
Due to a slight change in the distances of the Earth from the Moon and the Sun, the apparent angular diameter of the Moon is sometimes slightly larger, sometimes slightly smaller than the solar one, sometimes equal to it. In the first case, a total eclipse of the Sun lasts up to 7 minutes 40 seconds, in the third - only one instant, and in the second case, the Moon does not completely cover the Sun, it is observed annular eclipse. Then around the dark disk of the Moon the shining rim of the solar disk is visible.
Based on precise knowledge of the laws of motion of the Earth and the Moon, the moments of eclipses and where and how they will be visible are calculated hundreds of years in advance. Maps have been compiled that show the strip of total eclipse, lines (isophases) where the eclipse will be visible in the same phase, and lines relative to which the moments of the beginning, end and middle of the eclipse can be counted for each area.
There can be from two to five solar eclipses per year for the Earth, in the latter case they are certainly partial. On average, a total solar eclipse is seen extremely rarely in the same place - only once every 200-300 years.
Of particular interest to science are total eclipses of the Sun, which previously brought superstitious horror to ignorant people. Such eclipses were considered an omen of war, the end of the world.
Astronomers undertake expeditions into the zone of a total eclipse in order to study the outer rarefied shells of the Sun, invisible directly outside the eclipse, within seconds, rarely minutes of the total phase. During a total solar eclipse, the sky darkens, a glow ring burns along the horizon - the glow of the atmosphere illuminated by the rays of the Sun in areas where the eclipse is incomplete; pearl rays of the so-called solar corona extend around the black solar disk (see Fig. 69).
If the plane of the lunar orbit coincided with the plane of the ecliptic, then a solar eclipse would occur on every new moon, and a lunar eclipse on every full moon. But the plane of the lunar orbit intersects the plane of the ecliptic at an angle of 5°9". Therefore, the Moon usually passes north or south of the plane of the ecliptic, and no eclipses occur. Only during two periods of the year, separated by almost half a year, when at full moon and new moon the Moon is near the ecliptic , an eclipse is possible.
The plane of the lunar orbit rotates in space (this is one of the types of disturbances in the movement of the Moon produced by the attraction of the Sun) * and makes a complete rotation in 18 years. Therefore, the periods of possible eclipses shift according to the dates of the year. Scientists of antiquity noticed the periodicity in eclipses associated with this 18-year period, and could therefore approximately predict the occurrence of eclipses. Now the errors in pre-calculating the moments of the eclipse are less than 1 s.
Information about upcoming eclipses and the conditions for their visibility is given in the School Astronomical Calendar.
Exercise 6
1. Yesterday there was a full moon. Could there be a solar eclipse tomorrow? a week later?
2. The day after tomorrow there will be a solar eclipse. Will there be a moonlit night today?
3. Is it possible with North Pole Earth to observe the solar eclipse on November 15? April 15? Explain the answer.
4. Is it possible to see lunar eclipses that occur in June and November from the North Pole of the Earth? Explain the answer.
5. How to distinguish the phase of an eclipse of the Moon from one of its usual phases?
6. What is the duration of solar eclipses on the Moon compared to their duration on Earth?