Partial Lunar Eclipse Seen In Chiang Mai

[ChiangMaiMail]

Partial lunar eclipse seen in Chiang Mai

A more than 50 percent lunar eclipse was viewed by many residents on top of Doi Suthep at the Observatory Tower on June 26 at 7:44 p.m. The first lunar eclipse of 2010, a total solar eclipse is predicted for July 11 and will be visible over the South Pacific. This eclipse is a part of Lunar Saros 120 series, repeating every 18 years and roughly 10 days, last occurring on June 15, 1992, the next one will occur July 6, 2028. This series is winding down: The final total eclipse of this series was on May 14, 1938 and the final partial lunar eclipse will be on July 28, 2064. Story on Page 2. (Photo courtesy of NARIT)

Supoj Thaimyoj

Crowds gathered at the Observatory Tower on Doi Suthep to watch the partial lunar eclipse on June 26 that started at 7:21 p.m. Assoc. Prof. Boonraksa Sunthorntham, Director of National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (Narit) led Narit staff set up telescopes of differing sizes so that the general public could participate in viewing the partial eclipse.

Even though there were dark clouds people could observe the moon rising on the eastern horizon and could see part of the eclipse, until finally at 7:44 p.m. the clouds moved away and the moon could be seen at a 15 percent eclipse. About 150 people gathered to witness this natural phenomenon.

This was the 57the part of the Saros Eclipse cycle that began in the time of King Mengrai Maharaj when a full eclipse occurred on 10 December 10, which King Mengrai Maharaj viewed from Yen Throne in Tambon Talechoobsorn, Muang District, Lopburi province.

More than 50 percent of the lunar eclipse was seen at 7.21 p.m. on June 26. (Photo courtesy of NARIT)

A Saros eclipse cycle is calculated at occurring every 223 lunar months following an eclipse, another eclipse of similar duration will take place. This 223-lunar month eclipse cycle equals 6,585.321 days, or 18 years and 11.321 days (the figure sometimes varies by one day, depending on the number of intervening leap years).

The Saros period is about one-third of a day (8 hours) longer than 18 years and 11 days. Therefore, each successive Saros takes place about 8 hours later and 120 degrees west of the previous eclipse. At the third return of the Saros (669 lunar months), the eclipse swings full circle (120 degrees x 3 = 360 degrees), happening at roughly the same time and the same geographical location. This triple Saros is called an Exeligmos, a period of about 54 years and 34 days.

According to Narit, the next full eclipse will be seen again in Thailand on December 10, 2011, from 7.30 -11.30 p.m.

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[chiangmaimail]2010/07/06[/chiangmaimail]