World | Other World Stories
Once in a red moon
Clouds blowing across the sky in high winds over Auckland, New Zealand, failed to prevent a spectacular sight for stargazers on Tuesday as a rare lunar eclipse took effect.
- Gulf News Report
- Published: 23:04 August 28, 2007
- Image Credit: AP
- The moon glows red during a lunar eclipse seen in the Sydney, Australia sky.
Clouds blowing across the sky in high winds over Auckland, New Zealand, failed to prevent a spectacular sight for stargazers on Tuesday as a rare lunar eclipse took effect.
Unsettled weather had been forecast for the total lunar eclipse, but there were enough breaks in the cloud to witness the rare event.
In Sydney, under near cloudless sky, a crowd, mainly families, took their positions at the Observatory Hill with binoculars and cameras.
While the eclipse was full the moon appeared a deep red because only the red component of sunlight was diffracted around the earth onto its surface. One Sydney resident said the air of excitement among the watchers was fantastic.
Although it was a total eclipse, the ring of light around the earth's edge is enough to illuminate the moon's surface. If there is enough dust in the earth's atmosphere the surface will appear blood red, as was the case yesterday.
An eclipse occurs when the earth passes between the sun and the moon, blocking the Sun's light. It is rare because the moon is usually either above or below the plane of the earth's orbit.
Rare event
While lunar eclipses occur at least twice a year somewhere in the world, the last time a total eclipse was visible from Australia's eastern states was in July 2000.
Meanwhile, Cambodian official Royal Palace astrologer In Borin said he would be able to announce a prediction which may range from abundance to pestilence and impending disaster after the eclipse passes over Cambodia later this evening local time.
The prediction may have to come via cable television coverage, however, because storm clouds had gathered over the capital as evening drew closer.
"We are advising all Cambodians to burn candles and incense during the eclipse to help ensure that good luck and prosperity are drawn to the kingdom," Borin said.
He said the lunar eclipse, the second this year, could be ominous because other indicators, including the Royal Ploughing Ceremony earlier in the year - when what royal oxen eat is believed to predict the coming harvest - had been less than auspicious.
Ministry of Culture undersecretary of state, Tauch Sarou, said Cambodians believe the key to predicting the future from an eclipse is in where the moon emerges from as the eclipse passes.
"The sun and moon come together like two relatives meeting who love each other. If the sun moves the moon from out of its mouth quickly, it means happiness, development and good harvest," Sarou said.
"If the sun doesn't remove itself and the moon comes from the sun's stomach, Cambodians believe disaster and disease will follow."
Borin and Sarun said if the eclipse does not appear favourable, a Buddhist ceremony will be held to try to avert the bad luck.
Cambodian tradition holds that eclipses are caused when a demon or deity called Rahu devours the moon.
Vantage point
In North America, many people got up early to go outside and see the eclipse. One of the best views in the Central Florida area was from the room of the observatory and planetarium at the Brevard County Community College.
Members of the Brevard Astronomical Society said they got one of the clearest views of a lunar eclipse they have seen.
The eclipse was visible in North and South America, especially in the west.
With inputs from agencies
More from Other World Stories
More from World
News Editor's choice
-
Allies quit ruling coalition in Nepal
Political row could trigger months of street protests and violence
-
Qatar blaze 'started at nursery'
Fire killed 19 including 13 children, at Doha’s main shopping centre
-
Jagan jailed over illegal assets
Andhra Pradesh leader accused of corruption, cheating, conspiracy
