As the year 2024 unfolds, astronomers and skywatchers alike are in for a celestial treat with a series of two Solar Eclipses and two Lunar Eclipses. These cosmic events, known as Surya Grahan and Chandra Grahan, promise awe-inspiring displays of celestial alignment. Here are the details to ensure you don’t miss these remarkable occurrences.
Solar Eclipses: A Dance of Light and Shadow
- Total Solar Eclipse – April 8:
- Eclipse Journey: Starting over the South Pacific Ocean, traversing North America through Mexico, the United States, and Canada.
- Visibility: Partial Solar Eclipse in Costa Rica, Cuba, Aruba, Cayman Islands, and more.
- Event Details: Eclipse starts at 3:42 pm (UTC), ends at 4:36 pm (UTC), with maximum eclipse at 6:17 pm (UTC).
- Annular Solar Eclipse – October 2:
- Unique Phenomenon: Witness the “ring of fire” solar eclipse.
- Visibility: Annular Eclipse in South America (Argentina and Chile), partial eclipse in South America, Antarctica, Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, and North America.
- Event Details: Eclipse starts at 3:42 pm (UTC), ends at 4:50 pm (UTC), with maximum eclipse at 6:45 pm (UTC).
Lunar Eclipses: Earth’s Shadow on the Moon
- Penumbral Lunar Eclipse – March 25:
- Penumbral Magic: Moon passes through the earth’s outer shadow (penumbra).
- Visibility: Across Europe, Australia, Africa, North/East Asia, North America, South America, Pacific, Atlantic, Arctic, and Antarctica.
- Event Details: Penumbral Eclipse begins at 4:53 am (UTC), reaches maximum at 7:12 am (UTC), ends at 9:32 am (UTC).
- Partial Lunar Eclipse – September 18:
- Visible Marvel: Moon partially enters Earth’s umbral shadow.
- Visibility: Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, North/West North America, North/East South America, Pacific, Atlantic, Indian Ocean, Arctic, and Antarctica.
- Event Details: Penumbral Lunar Eclipse at 3:38 pm (UTC), partial at 4:46 pm (UTC), full at 6:03 pm (UTC), maximum at 6:32 pm (UTC), full ends at 7:02 pm (UTC), partial ends at 8:18 pm (UTC), penumbral ends at 9:27 pm (UTC).
Important Note for Indian Observers
Both solar and lunar eclipses in 2024 won’t be visible in India, and thus, the Sutak time is not applicable for these celestial phenomena.
As the cosmic ballet unfolds, astronomy enthusiasts and stargazers are gearing up for a year filled with celestial wonders. Make sure to mark these dates on your celestial calendar and witness the magic of light and shadow in the cosmic theater.
