Lunar Eclipse September 17th/ 18th, 2024
The second lunar eclipse (Chandra Grahan) of the year 2024 is going to fall on September 17th/18th. This eclipse is a Partial Lunar Eclipse.
The eclipse is forming in 1 degree Meena(Pisces) Rashi in Purvabhadra nakshatra. During this period Sun, Venus, and Ketu will be in Kanya Rashi. Jupiter in Mrigashira nakshatra, Vrishbha Rashi Mars in Ardra nakshatra, Mithuna Rasi, Mercury in Purvaphalguni nakshatra, Simha Rasi. Saturn in Purvabhadrapada Nakshatra, Kumbha Rasi.
Lunar eclipse (Chandra Grahan):
This is a celestial phenomenon when the Sun, the Moon, and the Earth get aligned in a straight line. The Moon revolves around and positions itself behind the Earth. This in turn causes the Sun’s rays to get blocked by the Earth casting a shadow on the Moon. A Lunar eclipse occurs only on a full moon night. Eclipses come in pairs and coincide with new Moon and full moons.
The coming Lunar eclipse is a Partial Lunar eclipse. In this type of eclipse, the Moon is partially covered by the Earth.
The September Lunar eclipse is followed by the Super Harvest Moon. This is a full moon closest to the September Equinox. During this time the night sky will be illuminated with a golden glow.
Lunar Eclipse timings and visibility:
Sept 17th from 7:14 pm to 8:14 pm Maximum is at 7:44 pm (USA Pacific)
Sept 17th from 10:14 pm to 11:14 pm Maximum is at 10:44 pm (USA East)
Lunar eclipse visible:
Europe, North and South America, parts of Antarctica, Western Indian ocean, Middle East Africa, and Atlantic Ocean will see a shallow partial lunar eclipse.
This eclipse is not visible in India.
Do’s during eclipse:
· Place Dharbha grass(Kusa) on the food items like pickles etc., so that they can be used again.
- Take head baths during starting of the eclipse, the peak of eclipse and again after the eclipse.
- Do mantra japa, especially those with the same nakshatra as well as the same rasi as of eclipse nakshatra, here Bharani nakshatra, Mesha Rasi as well as Tula Rasi.
- Any mantra japa related to Shiva like Mahamrutyunjaya mantra for health, Siva panchakshari “Om namashivaya” are very good to do during lunar eclipse period.
Don’ts during eclipse:
- Do not consume any type of food item during the eclipse. Scientifically, during this eclipse period, the rays emitted are unhealthy which may cause indigestion hence it is advised not to consume food.
- Avoid starting any new projects and financial transactions.
- Avoid using sharp objects
- Pregnant Women are advised to stay indoors and not to go out or directly see the eclipse, as it may affect their unborn child or chances of miscarriage are more.
