Tamil Nadu Science Forum (TNSF) has urged people not to believe myths and superstitious beliefs about eclipses. The forum has asked people to come out and witness the total lunar eclipse Blood Moon on September 7.
According to TNSF press release, people can witness a rare celestial phenomenon, the total lunar eclipse Blood Moon, because of its colour during totality.
Lunar Eclipse is a phenomenon wherein the sun, the earth and the moon come in a straight line. The earth blocks the light falling on the moon. The earth comes in between the sun and the moon and blocks the sunrays falling on the moon.
The lunar eclipse starts by 9.58 p.m. and ends at 1 a.m. the next day. Totality will start by 11 p.m. with a peak viewing at 11.41 p.m. and go up to 12.22 a.m. The eclipse leaves by 1.26 a.m..
At totality the moon appears in red colour due to Rayleigh Scattering which is the varying dispersion of all ranges of colours in inverse proportion to their wavelength by the Earth’s atmosphere. The red colour is scattered less compared to other colours and so falls on the moon making it look red.
TNSF called upon the people not to rely on myths and superstitious beliefs about eclipses that Ragu and Ketu engulf the moon during eclipse and people should avoid coming out during eclipse and not eat food.
TNSF urged everyone to witness the event from the terrace or open ground wherever the moon is visible. This eclipse will be visible in the clear sky and can be seen by the naked eye without any ill effects. TNSF is arranging public programmes at various places with telescopes, binoculars, etc.. with food items to eat, the statement said.
The he statement was issued by Tamil Nadu Science Forum members S. Sivaramakrishnan, M. Rajesh, K. Malarselvi, P. Sivaraman and T. Haribabu.
Published – September 05, 2025 10:58 pm IST
