Solar and lunar eclipses most interesting phenomenon of nature, familiar to man since ancient times. They are relatively common, but not visible from all areas of the earth's surface and therefore seem rare to many.
solar eclipse occur on new moons, when the moon, moving around the earth, is between the earth and the sun and completely or partially obscures it. The Moon is located closer to the Earth than the Sun, almost 400 times, and at the same time, its diameter is also less than the diameter of the Sun by about 400 times. Therefore, the apparent sizes of the Earth and the Sun are almost the same, and the Moon can cover the Sun with itself.
The Moon moves around the Earth from west to east, and its apparent path in the sky intersects at an angle of 5 degrees with the ecliptic - the apparent path along which the Sun moves against the background of stars. The points of intersection of the lunar path with the ecliptic are called the lunar nodes and are 180 degrees apart. When new moons occur away from the lunar nodes, the Moon does not cover the Sun. But about every six months, new moons are close to the lunar nodes, and then solar eclipses occur. When the new moon occurs at a distance of no more than 11 degrees from the node, the lunar shadow and penumbra fall to the Earth in the form of oval spots, which at a speed of 1 km. in sec. They run across the earth's surface from west to east. In areas that are in the lunar shadow, a total solar eclipse is visible, that is, the Sun is completely covered by the Moon. In areas covered with penumbra, a partial solar eclipse occurs, that is, the Moon covers only part of the solar disk. Outside the penumbra, an eclipse does not occur at all. Thus, a solar eclipse is not visible on the entire surface of the Earth, but only where the shadow and penumbra of the Moon runs through.
The bandwidth of the total phase of a solar eclipse and its duration will depend on the mutual distances of the Sun, Earth and Moon. Due to changes in distances, the apparent angular diameter of the Moon also changes. When it is slightly larger than the sun, a total eclipse can last up to 7.5 minutes, when it is equal, then one instant, if it is less, then the Moon does not completely cover the Sun at all. In the latter case, an annular eclipse occurs: a narrow bright solar ring is visible around the dark lunar disk.
Solar eclipses periodically repeat on average every 6585 days or 18 years and 11 days. This period of time is called saros.
The phenomenon when the Moon falls into the region of the earth's shadow or penumbra is called a lunar eclipse. They always occur on a full moon, when the Earth is located between the Sun and the Moon. As in the case of solar eclipses, the lunar eclipse does not occur on every full moon.
A terrestrial observer during such an eclipse will see a completely or partially eclipsed Moon. It is clear that in those territories where the Moon will be visible at all at this time, a lunar eclipse will be observed, i.e. half of the globe. This is one of the reasons why these eclipses can be seen quite often. The second reason is that the earth's shadow / penumbra is much larger than the moon's. The average frequency of eclipses for one locality is one eclipse in 2-4 years, and the maximum number of them per year can reach three.
The phases (stages) of the eclipse here are somewhat different from the case with the solar ones. The fact is that the bright surface of the Moon is not covered by a foreign body (as the Moon covers the Sun in the event of a solar eclipse), it is covered by the earth's shadow / penumbra. Accordingly, penumbral, partial, and full phases are observed.
The penumbral phase lasts when the Moon is partially or completely immersed in penumbra, but has not yet touched the shadow. An observer on the Moon would then see the Sun partially eclipsed by the Earth. In this case, the darkening of the lunar disk is insignificant and is usually visible only in photographs. Usually this phase is not observed.
The private phase lasts when the moon is partially immersed in the earth's shadow. The latter is clearly visible, although the boundary is slightly blurred due to light scattering in the Earth's atmosphere. Scattered light enters incl. and on the shaded part of the lunar disk, so there is a weak reddish glow. Duration - about an hour before and after the full phase.
The full phase lasts when the Moon is completely immersed in shadow.
Three paths lead to knowledge:
the way of reflection is the noblest way,
the way of imitation is the easiest way
and the way of experience is the most bitter way.
Japanese proverb
What is an eclipse?
An eclipse is a visible conjunction of the Sun, Moon, Earth, and sometimes other planets. Usually there are 2 to 6 eclipses per year. Its sign and degree are important.
A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth, covering part of the solar disk. This happens when the new moon - the conjunction of the Sun and the Moon - occurs near one of the Lunar Nodes.
A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth passes between the Sun and the Moon, and the Earth's shadow falls on the Moon. This happens on a full moon if it is observed near the Moon's Node. A lunar eclipse affects the psyche to a greater extent than the event plan of life, giving rise to a feeling of excruciating anxiety and the desire to do something without a clear understanding of the meaning and purpose of actions. Under a lunar eclipse, people experience a surge of emotions, illusions arise about partners and their own role in relationships.
A solar eclipse can only occur on a new moon. A lunar eclipse can only occur on a full moon.
The Moon governs everything related to the interests of the hearth and motherhood and represents the outer part of a person's personality. Personality is what we see in external expression (appearance, words, deeds), i.e. everything that distinguishes one person from another.
The Moon governs the stomach, breasts, fertility, housekeeping, maternal instinct, adaptation to everyday circumstances, popularity. It has a significant impact on the general, everyday affairs of everyday life.
The Sun governs character, individuality (what we really are), strength and authority, authority over others. The sun means the influence of high-ranking persons and the occupation of high positions.
The Sun rules hope, courage, generosity and inspiration, a tendency to leadership and a high concept of honor. It is directly related to health and life principle. Dominates in the sphere of individual progress and success in society. The Sun governs high offices and public service. In the human body, it rules the sides, back, heart, the right eye of a man and the left eye of a woman.
Knowing the dates of eclipses, we can more consciously relate to the events of our lives and the lives of our loved ones, understanding their significance in time. During these periods, you should carefully monitor all the situations that occur, meetings and new ideas. It must be remembered that every event that falls on an eclipse is more important than we might at first imagine. The eclipse emphasizes the significance of the events and the seriousness of their consequences. Ideas, proposals, projects and people that enter our lives during the "season" of eclipses become part of our lives for a long period.
Everything that happens a week before an eclipse is endowed with a completely different quality than what happens a week later. Events that take place a week before an eclipse very rarely manage to reconcile with how they were planned. They get out of control, acquiring b about more reach and more speed. Everything that happens on the day of the eclipse itself is endowed with a fateful meaning and is almost not subject to human control. During an eclipse, we find ourselves aware of information that could have been put at our disposal before, but for one reason or another did not reach our consciousness. Therefore, important decisions should be made in the week after the eclipse.
Solar and lunar eclipses affect differently. Solar eclipses stimulate a crisis in consciousness, change our internal attitudes, bringing events that we did not consciously cause, dictated by external circumstances. Here, situations due to karmic predestination are realized.
Lunar eclipses are more related to events caused by our thoughts and feelings. They indicate the area of daily life where the changes brought about by the solar eclipse will take place.
If a lunar eclipse precedes a solar eclipse, the situation in a certain area of life reaches a critical point, requiring reorganization and pushing for rethinking and finding a new approach to the timing of the solar eclipse that follows the lunar one. If a solar eclipse is followed by a lunar eclipse, then what will be laid down at the beginning of the cycle will inevitably manifest itself during the next lunar eclipse - new conscious attitudes will be realized or denied in situations that will determine the next life stage. This can be a time of important choices and life-changing decisions.
And yet, how is a solar eclipse different from a lunar one?
Solar eclipse opens a new life cycle. It brings to the fore things that require urgent attention and brings the beginning of something new. A new perspective may dawn on the horizon, and something important will begin to lose its former significance and move away. The solar eclipse gives events a momentum that can be felt in our personal affairs for several years. "Absorption of light" makes this period unpredictable, causing a sense of uncertainty, which will be revealed later. At this time, the luminaries are in conjunction, their influences are mixed, and the potencies of the new cycle are not fully manifested. Therefore, you need to be on the alert and not rush into new projects, no matter how promising they may seem. Don't make the final choice and don't make the final commitment. If the eclipse leaves the choice up to you, it is better to postpone all important decisions for a week after it. At this time, you do not have all the information, and haste now will have to pay later.
Moon eclipse. Unlike a solar eclipse, a lunar eclipse is the completion of some stage in our life. The luminaries have reached opposition, - after passing this point, the Moon begins its return journey to the Sun. A lunar eclipse is a time of maximum illumination, manifestation of questions and problems. This is a crisis, as a result of which something will be drastically changed or discarded. One way or another, but the circumstances will not remain the same. This is a time when relationship issues, legal disputes and open conflicts come to the fore. It is the most public and public time of the year, revealing information that could remain hidden for a long time. Information spreads instantly, becoming public knowledge. The secret can become clear. If you've been busy looking for someone or something, you might find it during a lunar eclipse. It carries out long-term projects and tasks. It can bring a long-awaited meeting or put an end to a long-awaited break.
This is the time of public scandals, termination of contracts, or, on the contrary, mergers and unifications of the parties. Although the conflict, clarifying the positions of the parties, is often a way to solve the problem, nevertheless, it should be remembered that at this time the emotional intensity is too strong, so beware of making spontaneous decisions. What will be destroyed during this period is difficult to restore.
Eclipse dates for 2018
In January, topics, ideas, situations will emerge that will be harbingers of what awaits us in 2019 and 2020.
The January eclipses will help set the tone for upcoming events. Therefore, in January and the first half of February, it is useful to observe new trends, keep track of emerging ideas, new topics that will appear on the agenda of political, economic, international life and in our personal affairs. In January, there may be ideas for a new collaboration or expansion in business. January-February contribute to the creation of professional groups, new political parties or blocs, corporate structures, new alliances, business partnerships. The Eclipse in Capricorn invites us to set long-term goals, define plans to achieve the goal and get involved in their implementation. Projects that start or are determined in the first month and a half of 2019 will be important in the long term, and will bring benefits in the future.
Maximum phase at 05:12 GMT
The eclipse ends at 07:48 GMT
This is a complex eclipse. The days around this date are the most stressful and problematic aspects of the month. Eclipse week can bring a lot of excitement. This time can reveal secrets, bring unexpected news, changing plans. If at this time there are doubts about someone or something, some people or transactions seem unreliable or doubtful, then with a high probability they are so. Now dishonesty or deceit may be revealed.
Contradictions in old accumulated problems, in protracted and unresolved situations, will reach a peak and require a solution. But the solution can also come as a result of a violent conflict or an unexpected and radical turn of events. During this period, there is a possibility of terrorist attacks, natural disasters, force majeure, earthquakes. This is a time of social unrest, revolutionary sentiments, protests that can lead to change, directing social processes in a new direction. This is the time when crisis becomes opportunity.
Now we need to draw useful conclusions, to draw important experience from past situations so that it becomes our knowledge and wisdom. And also to part with what has ceased to be significant, as it does not meet your current needs and goals, in order to turn this page and start a new stage. You should not hold on to something that has been asking for a long time from your life - at this time the old leaves, making way for the new.
It is also not recommended to start important business near the dates of eclipses. On the day of the Solar Eclipse, if possible, do not go out into the open air, stay at home. This way you won't be overwhelmed by negative energy.
P.S. Be prudent, use the noble path,
path of reflection
The sun is shining, but not as bright as it used to be, the temperature is slowly dropping. The dimensions of the resulting crescent are reduced, and as a result, the black disk has ceased to let in the slightest rays of light. Instead of a bright and warm day, an unusual night surrounds you, and there is no Sun in the sky, only a large black circle shining with unusual silvery rays.
The noise of nature subsides almost immediately, and the plants begin to fold their leaves. After a few minutes, everything will return to its place and the streets of the city will come to life. Many years ago, such phenomena terrified people wildly, instilling panic and fear of the inevitable in their hearts.
What is a lunar eclipse?
This is the moment when the Moon enters the shadow area of the Earth. During this period, all three components: the Sun, the Earth and the Moon are located on the same line in such a way that the Earth does not transmit sunlight to its satellite. Therefore, this phenomenon occurs only on the full moon.
During the period, when it happens, you will be able to see the moon in a completely darkened form or in partially darkened. Half the population of the Earth can observe the phenomenon, from which the moon is visible at the time of the eclipse.
Since the diameter of the shadow of the Moon is more than 2 times smaller than the diameter of the Earth, it can completely cover the disk of the Moon. That's what it is full eclipse. If the moon is partially immersed in the shadow of the Earth, then this phenomenon is called private.
In the presence of a curved line created by the arrangement of the three main objects, people may not see a total eclipse at all. If the earth's shadow covers only a small part of the lunar disk, then as a result of this, one can see the covering of the lunar disk with penumbra. Their location will affect the duration of the eclipse phases.
A total lunar eclipse doesn't mean she's out of sight. It's just that the lunar disk takes on a different color - dark red. The scientific explanation for the change in color lies in the refraction of the sun's rays going to the moon. Passing along a tangent path to the globe, the rays are scattered and only red rays remain (blue and cyan color spectra are absorbed by our atmosphere).
Just these rays reach the surface during an eclipse. The nature of the "focus" is exactly the same as during sunset, when a delicate pink or orange color is observed far beyond the horizon.
How does solar happen?
Planets with their satellites, as everyone knows, are constantly moving: The moon is around the globe, and the earth is around the solar disk. In the process of constant movement, specific moments may arise when the Sun can be obscured by the lunar disk. This can happen in full or in part.
A solar eclipse is the shadow from the lunar disk that falls on the Earth. Its radius reaches the mark of 100 kilometers, which is several times less than the radius of the globe. Because of this, it is possible to observe a natural phenomenon only on a small strip of the Earth.
If you are in this band of shadow, you will be able to see a total eclipse, during which the solar orb will be completely covered by the Moon. At this point, the lighting disappears and people can observe the stars.
The inhabitants of the planet, who are near the strip, will be able to admire this phenomenon only in private. A partial eclipse is characterized by the passage of the Moon not in the central part of the Sun, covering only a small part of it.
At the same time, the onset of gloomy darkness around is not so strong, and you will not be able to see it during the day. About 2,000 kilometers is the distance from the site of the total eclipse at which you can observe a partial eclipse.
A solar eclipse is a truly unique phenomenon. which we can observe. This is possible only for the reason that the sizes of the Sun and the Moon are almost the same when viewed from the Earth, despite the enormous difference in their sizes (the Sun is almost 400 times larger than the Moon). The difference in size is compensated by the location of the solar disk, which is located at a great distance.
A total solar eclipse is sometimes accompanied by such an effect as a solar corona - people can see layers of the atmosphere of the solar disk that cannot be seen at normal times. A very mesmerizing sight that everyone needs to see.
Which total eclipse is longer and why?
About 1.5 hours is the maximum duration of a total lunar eclipse.
The brightness of the moon can be of different levels (at the beginning of the eclipse). In some cases, the lunar disk is not visible at all, and sometimes, on the contrary, it may seem that there was no eclipse at all - the Moon can be so bright.
A solar eclipse can only be seen on a new moon., when the lunar disk cannot be seen from the Earth due to its location in the solar system. This creates the illusion that during an eclipse, the solar disk is covered by something else that cannot be connected with the Moon in any way.
The shadow cast by the moon on the surface of the globe is cone-shaped. Its tip is located a little further from the Earth, which leads to the formation of a black spot when a shadow hits the earth's surface.
The spot diameter is approximately 150-250 kilometers. The speed of its movement on the surface of the Earth is 1 km per second, which is why any one place on the planet cannot be closed for a long time.
The total phase of a solar eclipse lasts no more than 7.5 minutes, partial 1.5-2 hours.
What's the difference between them?
The main difference between a solar and a lunar eclipse is that the former is considered more external, affecting the events taking place around a person. Therefore, lunar eclipses are considered more internal, having a connection with the emotional side of a person (life problems, reflections, and so on).
In some cases, internal reflections lead to new events that have a direct connection with the external part. Arguing on a psychological level, one can come to a logical conclusion: events that are not consciously caused by a person will be brought along with the appearance of solar eclipses, and conscious events that have come into being due to our feelings and will be associated with lunar eclipses.
Moon and omens
If a solar eclipse, according to many superstitions, does not bring anything good, then the lunar eclipse carries another symbol - a new beginning.
During a lunar eclipse, it is recommended to get rid of your bad habits, since it will become much easier to do this during this period. It is believed that if you quit smoking during a lunar eclipse, you will not return to this harmful process.
Speaking of conception during a lunar eclipse, this is highly discouraged.. As the signs say, a child conceived at this time will receive all the bad qualities of his parents.
Our grandmothers also said that you can’t borrow money during a lunar eclipse. Now, of course, it is impossible to hear this without an ironic smile, but you should not be such a skeptic, because we all know how a lunar eclipse affects the human body. Some and beliefs have a certain meaning.
What to avoid during a lunar eclipse, according to ancient beliefs:
- lend money and borrow yourself
- get married and get married
- dissolve the bonds of marriage
- conduct operations
- move to another habitat
- buy expensive goods
- make big deals.
Superstition and heavenly body
“In 15 minutes, residents of Yekaterinburg will also be able to watch the solar eclipse,” the phrase was said in the news release. But this is not only an excuse for local residents to run out into the street with tinted windows in the hope of seeing a unique process. Very often, this natural phenomenon causes anxiety or even panic in people.
Even despite the great progress in the field of astronomy, genetic memory sometimes loudly reminds of itself. Most residents experience extreme stress or fear during eclipses., therefore, it is undesirable for too impressionable citizens to start any business or make serious decisions.
Couples in love have one tradition - to offer their heart and hand during solar eclipses. Well, it's more romantic. At the time of the proposal, the closed Sun is shaped a bit like an engagement ring with a large diamond. It is believed that no girl is able to refuse such a romantic gesture.
If during this period you managed to twist your leg or break your heel, then this means that the path you have chosen is wrong.
A popular sign says that the year in which this phenomenon is observed will be unfavorable for the crop., and what you still manage to collect will not be stored for a long time.
But not all omens are bad. For example, if you spilled water during an eclipse or got caught in the rain, then this is considered a good sign and awaits you.
If you listen to all folk signs, then for the period of a solar eclipse you cannot:
- travel
- drink alcoholic beverages
- drive a car
- make expensive purchases
- to make friends or just get to know
- to risk.
For especially superstitious people, there is one solution: during a solar eclipse, they simply close all the windows, thereby blocking themselves from the “light”.
The recommendations of most astrologers are that 2 weeks before the solar eclipse it is necessary to solve all the problems that have accumulated before this time, and complete all the work that has been started. As the interpreters of the stars note, the period of a solar eclipse is very favorable so that you can successfully say goodbye to unnecessary connections, bad habits and pieces of furniture or clothing that you are tired of.
The period is not very long - only a week after the eclipse and 2 weeks before - try not to show weakness and not succumb to temptations, control yourself (do not show aggression, greed and ambition). During this period, only kindness, generosity and nobility should radiate from you. Only in this way can you find peace in this life.
Observations of the Moon explained the causes of eclipses. It is clear that eclipses of the Sun can only occur during the new moon, that is, when the Moon is between the Earth and the Sun.
The moon blocks the light of the sun, casting a shadow on the earth. In those places where this shadow passes, a solar eclipse is observed.
A shadow strip 200-250 kilometers wide, accompanied by a wider penumbra, runs over the earth's surface at high speed. Where the shadow is thickest and darkest, there is a total solar eclipse; it can last, at most, about 8 minutes: in the same place where the penumbra falls, there is no longer a total, but a partial, partial eclipse. And beyond this penumbra, no eclipse can be detected anymore - the Sun still shines there.
So people finally found out why a solar eclipse occurs and, having calculated the distance from the Earth to the Moon, equal to 380 thousand kilometers, knowing the speed of the Moon around the Earth in the Earth around the Sun, they could already determine with absolute accuracy when and where solar eclipses will be visible .
And when these until then mysterious heavenly phenomena became clear to people, people also understood that much of what is said in the Holy Scripture does not correspond to reality. There is a fairy tale that on the day of Christ's death the sun darkened and "darkness reigned over the whole earth from the sixth hour to the ninth hour." And we know that it couldn't be. To do this, it was necessary to perform another miracle - to stop the movement of heavenly bodies for three hours. But this is as absurd as the tale of Joshua, who ordered the sun to stop.
Knowing the cause of a solar eclipse, it is easy to determine why there are lunar eclipses.
Lunar eclipses, as we can imagine, can only happen during a full moon, which is when the Earth is between the Sun and the Moon. Falling into the shadow cast by our planet into space, the Earth's satellite - the Moon - is eclipsed, and since the Earth is many times larger than the Moon, the Moon no longer for a few minutes, but for two or three hours, enters the dense shadow of the Earth and hides from our eye.
Eclipses of the moon people were able to predict two thousand years ago. Centuries-old observations of the sky made it possible to establish a strict, but rather complex, periodicity of lunar and solar eclipses. But why they happened - it was not known. Only after the discoveries of Copernicus. Galileo, Kepler and many other remarkable astronomers, it became possible to predict the beginning, duration and place of solar and lunar eclipses with an accuracy of up to a second. With almost the same accuracy, it is possible to establish exactly when solar and lunar eclipses occurred - a hundred, three hundred, a thousand or tens of thousands of years ago: on the eve of the battle of the Russian army, Prince Igor with the Polovtsians, on the birthday of the Egyptian pharaoh Psametikh, or on that distant the morning when the progenitor of modern man first armed his hand with a stone.
Thus, we can conclude that solar or lunar eclipses do not at all represent any extraordinary celestial phenomena. They are natural, and, of course, there is nothing supernatural in these phenomena and cannot be.
Eclipses of the Moon and the Sun also happen quite often. Several such eclipses occur annually around the globe. Solar eclipses, of course, are observed only in certain places: where the shadow of the Moon runs across the globe, eclipsing the light of the Sun.
