All parents are cordially invited to the event. Timings for parents are from 10:30 – 1:30pm

Newsletter February 2012

We all know from primary classes that the Moon doesn’t have its own light. The light on the Moon is Sun’s light being reflected from the Moon and coming on the surface of Earth.

If you think logically, the Lunar Eclipse is an Eclipse when Moon becomes dark because of absence of Sun Light. If you see Moon in this condition when there is no direct Sun light falling on its surface, you have the answer. You cannot be blind because there is no light at all on the Moon. Even when there is no Eclipse of Moon (that is Lunar Eclipse), one can see Moon with unaided eye, binoculars, or a Telescope.

However, one can turn blind if exposed to direct Sun rays or powerful light.

We Pakistani’s are lucky to experience the 2^nd Total Lunar Eclipse (Chaand Girhan) of this year 2011.

Lunar Eclipse of 10 Dec 2011

After the Lunar Eclipses of June 15^th, 2011 our Earth is going to observe another Lunar Eclipse this year. The Lunar Eclipse will occur on 10^th of December 2011 and will be a Total Lunar Eclipse. The Lunar Eclipse will start when the Moon rises just after the Sun will set. Total Lunar Eclipse is rare but fortunately this year, we are lucky to have the opportunity to watch the Lunar Eclipse twice and yes, from Pakistan.

On 20^th Dec 2011 at the time of totality of Lunar Eclipse the Moon will be like somewhat like this:

Picture of a previous Total Lunar Eclipse.. 

(Courtesy Mr. Khalid Marwat)

What is Lunar Eclipse ?

A lunar eclipse is an eclipse which occurs whenever the moon passes behind the earth such that the earth blocks the sun’s rays from striking the moon. This can occur only when the Sun, Earth, and Moon are aligned exactly, or very closely so, with the Earth in the middle.

The red tone of the moon is due to the refracted rays of the Sun by the Earth. The temperature on Moon, at the time of Lunar Eclipse, reaches to -99^o C. Below is an animation/ video of Lunar Eclipse Phenomenon.

Video: NASA LRO – Total Lunar Eclipse

There is a Full Moon every month, why Lunar Eclipse doesn’t happen every month?

As we pointed out that Lunar Eclipse occurs when the Full Moon is behind the Earth and the light on the Moon is blocked by the Earth and the Earth’ shadow falls on the Moon. You might be thinking that Full Moon passes behind Earth every month but then why Lunar Eclipse doesn’t occur every Month? This question leads us to understand the alignment of the Orbit of the Moon with the Earth.  The orbit of the Moon with respect to Earth’s orbit is 5^o tipped. So what happens is; the Moon’s orbit comes into alignment with Earth’s plane once or twice the year during the Full Moon. In other months, it is somewhat below or above the plane of the Earth. An animated video of this phenomenon will help understand easily.

Video: Total Lunar Eclipse – Reason & Frequency

Can we observe Lunar Eclipse?

The Total Lunar Eclipse on 10^th of December, 2011 will be fully visible from all over Pakistan. We are so lucky. You can refer the image below taken from NASA website. It has lot of information like timings of totality in UT zone, the places on where the Eclipse will be visible.

Observing a Total Lunar Eclipse or a Partial Lunar Eclipse is safe and at the same time is enjoyable. You can see it with un-aided eye or a Binoculars or a Telescope.

The Details of the Eclipse on 10^th of Dec 2011

The Lunar Eclipse starts with Penumbral Eclipse. Then Partial Eclipse and then the Totality begin when Moon is completely blocked by the Earth. The timings below are in Pakistan Standard Time (GMT+5)

Penumbral Eclipse Begins:   16:34

Partial Eclipse Begins:     17:46

Total Eclipse Begins:       19:06

Greatest Eclipse:           19:32

Total Eclipse Ends:         19:57

Partial Eclipse Ends:       21:18

Penumbral Eclipse Ends:     22:30

If you are interested in more details about the time and state of the Eclipse with time, an animation of the Lunar Eclipse to be happen on 10^th December, 2011 can be found on this link.

You might be thinking what is Penumbral Lunar Eclipse and Partial Lunar Eclipse. Have a look at the below diagram:

Anatomy of Lunar Eclipse

(Source: http://astroprofspage.com/archives/1140)

Penumbral Lunar Eclipse

When the Moon passed into the Earth’s Penumbral Shadow, it is called penumbral Lunar Eclipse.

Partial Lunar Eclipse

When part of the Moon passed into the Earth’s Umbral Shadow, it is called a Partial Lunar Eclipse. The Lunar Eclipse of June 2012 will be a Partial Lunar Eclipse

Total Lunar Eclipse

When the Moon completely passed into the Earth’s Umbral Shadow, it is called Totality and the eclipse is called Total Lunar Eclipse.

During the Eclipse

Salat-ul-Qusoof

Salat-ul-Qusoof is often offered at the time of a Lunar Eclipse or a Solar Eclipse. The Eclipse will start just at the time of Maghrib, but to be in totality it will take an hour. Try to offer 2 rakat of Salat-ul-Qusoof during the time of Lunar Eclipse.

Observation (Telescope or Binoculars)

Observing Lunar Eclipse is the Fun and an enjoyable aspect of Lunar Eclipse. You have to be at your house roof and look towards East at around 6:30pm. You will see the Full Moon. And bring your friends and family and explain them what is going to happen in next one hour. The Moon will go through all of its phases in one hour. Isn’t it great? If you are watching Lunar Eclipse for the first time, note that.

Observe Load Shedding on Moon

If you have a pair of Binoculars or a Telescope, enjoy the Eclipse with them. You don’t have to be afraid. The Moon will be dark. There will be no light on Moon. In other words, let’s say, Moon will have load shedding for an hour or so on 10^th December, 2011.

Photography

We all love to keep memories and valuable moments. The Lunar Eclipse can be photographed. Grab a DSLR or any camera that you think can capture Moon, and then keep taking snaps of every phase of the Lunar Eclipse like the following photograph

This photograph was taken on 15/16 June 2011 Total Lunar Eclipse. 

(Courtesy Omer Sidat )

Conclusion

The Total Lunar Eclipse is an enjoyable phenomenon to observe and it is not at all harmful. The only thing I want to say to the readers is that:

Some Interesting Facts about Moon

1. Moon is the only Natural Satellite of Earth (There are many other artificial satellites orbiting around the Earth. For example, geo-stationary satellites, ISS)
2. Moon always faces one side towards Earth (Near Side)
3. The Moon’s diameter is 3, 476km, just over a quarter of that of the Earth
4. The apparent size of the Moon is equal is to the apparent size of Sun
5. The Moon is the 5^th largest natural satellite in the Solar System
6. One orbit of Moon around Earth takes 27 days (Earth days) and 7 hours
7. The rotational speed of Moon is equal to the rotational speed of Earth
8. A Moon Day (Lunar Day) is the period of time it takes for the Moon to complete one full rotation on its axis with respect to the Sun, and it is the time it takes the Moon to make one complete orbit around the Earth and come back to the same phase
9. Moon is responsible for the most of the high tides in oceans
10. There are certain phenomena related to the Moon like Solar Eclipse, Lunar Eclipse, Moon Halo, and Moon Corona.

Related Articles

Lunar Eclipse of 15^th June, 2011 from Pakistan

Moon Halo

About the Author

The author Abubaker Siddiq Shekhani is a 24-year old amateur Astronomer obsessed by Moon since childhood. He is a Software Engineer by profession and loves to do adventures, travelling, observing nature and loves nature. This particular article is his one of the longest article among his other articles. He has written this article for the general public, beginners, amateur astronomers and for those who are aware of Lunar Eclipse but have questions in their minds about the science behind it. 

Source: Karachi Astronomers Society

She emphasized the need for young Pakistanis to recognize our unsung heroes such as Abdus Salam and Eqbal Ahmad who contributed so greatly to the quest of knowledge and greater human understanding. She stressed on the need for our youth to have a vision and a passion for their dreams – to be creative and different and not measure success in stereotypical ways.

In her remarks, the Principal Mrs. Pracha spoke to the graduating class and exhorted them to use their education to make a difference in the globally interconnected world of today where intolerance is rampant. She reminded them to think laterally and seek to innovate and create.

A sarangi performance by Dr. Taimur Khan accompanied by Faizan Khan on the guitar and Sarfaraz Anwar on tabla commenced the proceedings followed by a colourful programme of song, humour, dance and drama which brought some 150 students to the stage in a lively rendition of the The Wizard of Oz and the rib tickling satire Taleem-e-Balighan. The performance ended with the soul stirring poem Jamhuriat by Habib Jalib and a hopeful Tarana by Faiz Ahmed Faiz beautifully sung by a student, Bilal Ahmed.

Later, Ms. Hajra Ahmed the Director of Studies announced the awards. The Mahmood Chaudhry Memorial medal for Academic Excellence was awarded to Ammar Khan who secured 10 A’s in his O level exams and the Mahmood Chaudhry Medal for Academic Excellence and also won the coveted Eqbal Ahmad Memorial medal for Student of the Year. Other awardees were Reem Kiran who won the Eqbal Ahmed medal and Sana Malik and Khadija Zaman who were awarded the Omar Asghar Medal for Progress.

On behalf of the school Administration and staff, we wish you Eid Mubarik!