News

Penumbral lunar eclipse on Vesak day

Published

7 months ago

May 4, 2023

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A penumbral lunar eclipse will be visible to Sri Lanka on the Vesak Full Moon day, Director of the Astronomy and Space Science Unit, Department of Physics, Colombo University, Professor Chandana Jayaratne said.

He said the eclipse begins at 08.44 p.m. Sri Lanka standard time tomorrow with the moon entering the penumbra of the earth’s shadow (less dark shadow) and ends at 1.01 a.m. on Saturday (6).

Lunar eclipses occur on full moon days when the Earth comes between the Sun and the Moon, which results in the obstruction of some or all of the Sun’s light from reaching the Moon.

“This eclipse is a penumbral type of lunar eclipse occurring around midnight between tonight and tomorrow. The greatest eclipse will take place at 10.52 p.m. tomorrow. A penumbral lunar eclipse happens when the Sun, Earth and the Moon are imperfectly aligned,” Prof. Jayaratne said.

During a penumbral eclipse the Moon will not enter the darker shadow (umbra) of the Earth, but the lighter shadow (penumbral shadow).

“Therefore, during this particular eclipse, you will see no dark shadow as in total or partial lunar eclipses, but only a reduction of the brightness of the Moon.

Penumbral eclipses are difficult to observe, especially during the early and late stages. Nevertheless, a subtle yet distinct shading should be visible across the Moon.

This eclipse is visible to most of the countries in Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian Ocean and Antarctica regions.

There is a better, a partial lunar eclipse visible to Sri Lanka on 28 October this year and after that the next lunar eclipse visible to Sri Lanka is on September 7, 2025,” Prof Jayaratne added.

(dailymirror.lk)

News

G.L. hints at Impeachment against President

Published

2 hours ago

December 11, 2023

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MP of the Freedom People’s Congress – Prof. G.L. Peiris has warned of a possible impeachment motion against President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Speaking at a media briefing today (Dec. 11) Prof. Peiris has said that an impeachment can be brought forth on the grounds of the constitution being violated by the President’s arbitrary interference in the affairs of the Constitutional Council.He also emphasized that the opposition will stand united against the President’s dictatorial rule.

Pointing out that 2024 is a year of elections with the Presidential election and General Election already announced, Prof. Peiris emphasised that it is of utmost importance that the Constitutional Council is allowed to function independently during elections.

He also said that there is a reasonable doubt that the vacancy at the Election Commission is not being filled with the objective of scrapping future elections.The MP also said that there is a possibility of Sri Lanka losing the GSP+ concession due to the violation of international conventions.

He further noted that the international community has already given Sri Lanka a red light due to the implementation of the Prevention of Terrorism Act and has notified that democracy should be secured during the election period.