The astronomy enthusiasts in the city among other parts of the country observed total lunar eclipse on Saturday, the last such heavenly phenomenon of the year. The total lunar eclipse was observed from the continents of Australia and Asia including Pakistan. The partial lunar eclipse was observed from countries of Europe, North-Eastern Africa, and North America. The duration of the total lunar eclipse was of 51 minutes.
According to the Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) and Pakistan Meteorological Department, the partial lunar eclipse started at 5:46pm, the total eclipse started at 7:06pm, mid-eclipse time was 7:32pm, total eclipse ended at 7:57pm, the partial eclipse ended at 9:18pm. According to the meteorological department, the lunar eclipse phenomenon ended at 10:30pm.
According to the Director of Institute of Space and Planetary Astrophysics (ISPA) of the University of Karachi Dr Jamil Kazmi, confirmed that the lunar eclipse phenomenon was observed in the city and could not be obscured by the clouds. Also, Dr Shahid Qureshi who is heading the astronomy side of the KU’s institute fell ill on the day and could take active part in the scientific observation of the eclipse phenomenon.
Dr Jamil Kazmi, however, said that the ISPA did take pictures of similar heavenly phenomena in the recent past. He said that the KU’s institute did not take pictures through a telescope at its observatory due to lack of research students and fellows of the concerned field of astronomical sciences. He dismissed various rumours and superstitions doing rounds in the society related to the lunar eclipse phenomenon saying that they had no scientific basis and foundation.