Total Lunar Eclipse Observation Session

Author: Animesh Pradhan

Right at the cusp of midsem exams in IISc, a rare total lunar eclipse chanced upon the world. The totality lasted almost 82 minutes and the entire eclipse lasted 210 minutes, with the entirety of India being able to witness the evet in all its lunar glory. Bangalore, being Bangalore, was mostly completely covered up by the bane of all astronomers, clouds.

As nearly a hundred people crowded up in gymkhana grounds to catch a glimpse of the red moon amongst the clouds, a sense of community and collective wonder shined across the group. The few of us trying to image the eclipsed moon from the terrace of the Old Physics Building, it was a constant tom % jerry chase, quickly catching as many shots in the few seconds moon decided to make us witness to the sight of its heavenly dance. Near the end of the totality, perhaps as a test of those willing to wait, the clouds entirely cleared up, showing the red moon in all its beauty. It was truly a spectacle getting to watch our planet’s shadow move across the moon, as the eclipse neared completion. Shortly after the eclipse had ended, the clouds returned, however, the now non-eclipsed full moon was too bright to be completely blocked by the clouds; displaying lots of interesting phenomena throughout the night, The usual 22 degree halo was visible for quite a lot of time, but for a few minutes, something called a lunar corona was formed, due to diffraton by tiny water droplets in the atmosphere. The huge dust particles also caused Mie scattering, leading to ‘lunar rays’. The combined sight, captured in the final image, was so ethereal, it justiies us calling the skies - ‘heavens’.

The night wrapped up with truly a sight of our lives, showing that even in the worst of situations, sometimes, if you dont give up hope, the stars may literally align for your endeavours.

Clear Skies!!

Image credits: Sarthak Arora and Animesh Pradhan