harikumar1964's blog

Occultation is a natural phenomenon of one heavenly object hides another one from our view when earth and these objects happen to be in a straight line. Most visible and feared occultation is the solar eclipse wherein sun is hidden from our view by the passing moon.  Lunar eclipse is not exactly occultation, but earth’s shadow falling on moon thereby making it less visible (bright). These events are not known as occultation – but as eclipses.

But when moon or some other planet hide another planet from our view (because of straight line alignment) it is called occultation. It is much less talked about and much less spectacular and ofcourse much less feared!

On 10^th May 2008, because of the angular position of Mars and Moon, an occultation will be visible from throughout India. The start time for the event is around 7:30 PM about 45° in the western horizon, and Mars will resurface from behind Moon in just over an hours time. (Exact time for different locations may be checked with local papers. However, in the north it starts around 7:30 PM and in south by around 8 PM).

Enjoy the celestial phenomenon. Show it to kids and generate interest in science in them.  And just a humble request to all those Desi news channels- spread the scientific spirit not superstition . Call some astronomers rather than astrologers for discussions. I know I cannot remove the deep rooted superstitions of humanity by writing blogs. But still I request you to kindly watch the phenomenon. Atleast I hope this time around, for this event,  there will be no fear psychosis generated by certain sections the way it used to before solar and lunar eclipses and the huge propaganda the desi media gives to such nonsense.  ( I for one, have been watching eclipses , occultation and transit of planets across sun since  1980 (with the famous solar eclipse) ofcourse with proper protections  like using reflective methods to focus sun or using optical filters for viewing sun- whenever sun is involved as viewing sun directly with naked eye is dangerous. And let me assure you these celestial phenomena are truly spectacular.)

So come and enjoy the red planet hiding behind our very own moon.

(If anybody has any clarifications, questions or additional information  regarding eclipses /occultation , feel  free to share. )

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