Lunar Eclipse on January 31st, 2018

On January 31, there will be-- A Lunar Eclipse, Chandra grahan. For the first time in 152 years, this beautiful celestial event will result in an unusual coincidence of events: a Super Moon, Blue Moon, and total Lunar Eclipse will coincide.

What is a Super Moon?

When a full moon is at its closest orbital point to Earth it is called a ‘Super Moon’.

What is a Blue Moon?

When there are two full moon (puranmaasi)  in a month, the second full moon of the month, is called the 'Blue Moon'.

What is a Lunar Eclipse?

A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth stands between the Moon and the Sun, cutting off the light of the Sun from the moon. Total eclipsed moons are sometimes also called Blood Moons (because of its color).

Timings of lunar eclipse in India
In India it would start at 17:18 (5:18pm) on 31^st January, 2018 and totality ends at 19:38 (7.37pm). 

Total lunar eclipse around the world

The eclipse is visible in the region covering southern North America, Central and Eastern Asia, Indonesia, New Zealand and most of Australia, north-western Canada, Middle East, northern Scandinavian and Eastern Europe and Arctic region.

Next total lunar eclipse
After the year 2018 the next total lunar eclipses will be on December 31, 2028.

Previous lunar eclipse

Previous partial eclipse was on December 31, 2009. 

Do we need special glasses or follow any other precautions to watch the Total Lunar Eclipse?

Unlike the solar eclipse, the Lunar Eclipses are safe to view with the naked eye. 

Any Superstitions connected with eclipse?

Pregnant women are advised not to go out during Eclipse and are also advised not to cut or stitch any cloth or to do any other similar activities. It is also advised not to eat or drink during eclipse period. The reason (probably, just my guess!) behind this belief (in India) a great celestial radiation occurs during eclipse. However for children, elderly people and people who are not well or suffer from chronic illness like diabetes, there are NO restrictions.
As per Indian culture, the food items should be protected by adding Basil or Tulsi leaves.

What is Sutak?  

According to Hindu beliefs, the Earth atmosphere is contaminated with radiation during eclipse and extra precautions should be taken to avoid any harmful side effects due to contamination. Sutak is time period (supposed to be inauspicious for doing important work) before an eclipse occurs. Sutak is observed only when eclipse is visible in our region and 12 hours before Solar Eclipse and for 9 hours before Lunar Eclipse.
What science says about this Superstition?

As per science, electromagnetic radiation emitted during eclipse is perfectly safe, however there is another form of radiation that travels to earth during eclipse, deep from the core of the sun, where nuclear fusion takes place, particles called neutrinos are born into the space. And they also pass through the solid body of the moon during the eclipse and reach earth. As per science, human body is pelted by trillions of these neutrinos, as a consequence a few atoms in body are transmuted into a different isotope by absorbing these neutrinos and again, as per science, this is harmless effect for pregnant woman. You can read more by clicking on this link:-

https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/eclipse-misconceptions

What Astrology says about Eclipses?

Astrologically, eclipses are significant as they carry the message of change. Change in the way we look, the way we think or certain life events occur (totally unplanned) that change the direction of our life, some of us more some of us less, but they affect all, as per astrological beliefs. The eclipse activates certain areas on which it falls on our natal chart. The eclipse has traditionally been viewed with dread over the ages. It seems as though something dreadful is about to happen. In modern astrology, eclipses are viewed as the period of change. Old things come to an end and a new beginning starts, kind of universe restructure. Eclipse months are especially very volatile and astrologically not a phase, when you should start anything new, if anything happens on its own, its bhagya or your destiny. Depending where in your solar chart the eclipse occurs, changes or stress can be felt. Eclipses may bring some kind of news of life's big events and it is not necessary the event to occur immediately for say: a birth of child, a marriage proposal, the signing of important documents, career breakthrough, travel, some important meeting or breaks in close relations and so forth.

Research Studies related to Lunar Eclipse?

1.     There has been considerable research on the influence of the lunar cycle on mental illness with conflicting findings. Numbers of patients with mental disturbances were examined on eclipse days (lunar/solar) and a significant trend was observed for greater numbers of patients with non-affective psychoses but no pattern was observed for mania or depression.  

2.     In a research paper published in the British Medical Journal, a pair of researchers from the University of Toronto and Princeton University, worked over the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Data on motorcycle fatalities in the US, period from 1975 to 2014 (40 years). Conclusion The full moon is associated with an increased risk of fatal motorcycle crashes, although potential confounders cannot be excluded. An awareness of the risk might encourage motorcyclists to ride with extra care during a full moon (Source:- http://www.bmj.com/content/359/bmj.j5367 )

3.     You may find many research studies online linking full Moon with floods, earthquakes.

A Thought

Combining two opposites, science and dialectical philosophical thinking, for the development of mankind and environment, rather than closed-system approach for analysis is the need of the hour. Instead of assuming science is right and beliefs are wrong, one can integrate the two. Scientific thinking is product of human intellect which is constantly evolving and developing as the human knowledge base widens.