A Lunar eclipse is an astronomical phenomenon. It occurs when the moon passes through the shadow of the Earth. Lunar eclipses occur about twice a year, much more often than solar eclipses. They also last longer than solar eclipses.
During a lunar eclipse, the Moon appears a reddish-brown color. You would probably think that the moon would be completely black because of Earth's shadow, but the reddish-brown color is due to the fact that the Sun's light reflects off Earth, and is barely visible on the Moon.
Like solar eclipses, there are different types of lunar eclipses. There are total eclipses, where all of the moon appears reddish-brown, and partial ones, where only part of the moon appears reddish-brown.
Lunar eclipses are not as rare as solar eclipses and are sometimes called the 'Yellow Moon' although it does not look as yellow.
-http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lunar_eclipseOk... thats the science of it... but lets see what India and its religious practices think of it!
At the time of a solar or lunar eclipse, instantly stop all activities and chant the name of God in a purified state. After the eclipse, householders should bathe with the clothes they are wearing and then make donations according to their means. - Bhagwan Swaminarayanhttp://www.swaminarayan.org/faq/eclips.htm
Lunar eclipse may be associated with exacerbation of mental illnesses. In an Institute of Psychiatry & Human Behavior, Goa study a significant trend was observed for greater numbers of patients with non-affective psychoses on full moon days and on days of visible lunar eclipse, but no pattern was observed for mania or depression. - http://www.freshface.itimes.com/public/people/iti475269/blog/Sould-one-take-precautions-in-Lunar-Eclipse
Apparently,
The Chinese once believed that an eclipse was caused by an invisible dragon eating the Sun. They believed that if they created a great commotion with drummers drumming and archers shooting arrows in the sky, the dragon would be frightened away and daylight would return.-http://www.kidseclipse.com/pages/a1b3c5d0.htm
In Japan, the people once believed that poison drops from the sky during an eclipse. To prevent the poison from dropping into their drinking water, they covered all the wells during an eclipse.- http://www.kidseclipse.com/pages/a1b3c5d0.htm
Well, looney eclipse, a bit! :)
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