City to experience total lunar eclipse on March 4

Kolkata, Feb 24 (UNI) A total lunar eclipse would be visible here on March four followed by a partial solar eclipse on March 19.

M P Birla Planetarium Director General R Subhramanium said the lunar eclipse would begin here at around 0300 hrs. However, the total phase would begin at 0413 hrs. The phenomenon would be most noticeable from 0450 hrs to 0527 hrs.

The shadow on the moon would be completely cleared by 0641 hrs, but the end of the eclipse would not be visible from the city as the moon would set around 0600 hrs, he added.

Dr Subhramanium cautioned not to watch the lunar eclipse for more than a few minutes continuosly and suggested to take proper measures while watching the solar eclipse.

Curator of MP Birla Institute of Fundamental Research, S Datta, said a lunar eclipse occured whenever the Sun, the Earth and the Moon were exactly on a line, or very closely so. Therefore, every lunar eclipse was followed or preceeded by a solar eclipse within a fortnight.

No special arrangements are made at the planetarium for visitors, Mr Datta said, adding the next total lunar eclipse will be on August 28.

UNI