2024 Eclipse Date And Visibility In India: Two Surya Grahan And Two Chandra Grahan To Grace Skies!

In 2024, skywatchers can expect an enthralling celestial spectacle as the universe unveils Solar Eclipses and a Lunar Eclipse. During a Solar Eclipse, known as Surya Grahan, the Moon moves between the Sun and Earth, casting its shadow on our planet.

Meanwhile, a Lunar Eclipse, or Chandra Grahan, occurs when Earth's shadow falls upon the Moon as it aligns with the Sun and Earth on the same orbital plane. Understanding the dates and timings of these significant events becomes paramount due to their celestial importance.

Solar Eclipses in 2024:

The first Solar Eclipse on April 8 will be a Total Solar Eclipse. This breathtaking event will commence over the South Pacific Ocean, journeying across North America, spanning Mexico, the United States, and Canada. Meanwhile, a Partial Solar Eclipse will be visible in regions such as Costa Rica, Cuba, Aruba, the Cayman Islands, Dominica, French Polynesia, and Jamaica. Here are the timings and the Sutak period per the Drik Panchang:

• Eclipse start time: 3:42 pm (UTC)
• Eclipse end time: 4:36 pm (UTC)
• Maximum Eclipse: 6:17 pm (UTC)

The second Surya Grahan, on October 2, will be an Annular Solar Eclipse. Often referred to as the "ring of fire" solar eclipse, this event occurs as the New Moon partially covers the Sun's disk. It will be visible in South America (Argentina and Chile), accompanied by a Partial Solar Eclipse observable in South America, Antarctica, the Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean, and North America. Note the timings and Sutak period according to the Drik Panchang:

• Eclipse start time: 3:42 pm (UTC)
• Eclipse end time: 4:50 pm (UTC)
• Maximum Eclipse: 6:45 pm (UTC)

Both these eclipses will remain invisible in India, rendering the Sutak time inapplicable.

Lunar Eclipses in 2024:

The initial Lunar Eclipse on March 25 will be a Penumbral Lunar Eclipse, where the Moon moves through the Earth's outer shadow (Penumbra), partially covering the Sun's disk. Observers in Europe, Australia, Africa, North/East Asia, North America, South America, the Pacific, Atlantic, Arctic, and Antarctica can witness this event at these times:

• Penumbral Eclipse: 4:53 am
• Maximum Eclipse: 7:12 am
• Penumbral Eclipse ends: 9:32 am

The second Lunar Eclipse on September 18 will be a Partial Lunar Eclipse. Visible in Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, North/West North America, North/East South America, the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian Ocean, the Arctic, and Antarctica, the eclipse will unfold as follows:

• Penumbral Lunar Eclipse: 3:38 pm (UTC)
• Partial Lunar Eclipse: 4:46 pm (UTC)
• Full Lunar Eclipse: 6:03 pm (UTC)
• Maximum Lunar Eclipse: 6:32 pm (UTC)
• Full Lunar Eclipse ends: 7:02 pm (UTC)
• Partial Lunar Eclipse ends: 8:18 pm (UTC)
• Penumbral Lunar Eclipse ends: 9:27 pm (UTC)

Similar to the Solar Eclipses, these Lunar Eclipses won't be visible in India, making the Sutak time irrelevant for these occurrences.