|
Lunar Eclipse - February 21, 2008 |
|
The total lunar eclipse of February 21 2008 will insha' allah be visible all over Europe.
The penumbral eclipse -- the least exciting, and hardest to see part -- will begin at 00:35 GMT and end at 06:17GMT, basically, throughout the night!
The partial (visible) eclipse part will begin at 01:43 GMT and end just under 3½ hours later at 05:09 GMT.
The total eclipse part lasts for over ½ an hour; it begins at 03:00GMT and ends at 03:51GMT, with the moment of greatest eclipse at 03:26GMT.
The time for Namaz-e-Ayat begins with the beginning of the visible eclipse which is at 01.43 GMT. Since it is recommended that the Namaz not be delayed until the reversal of eclipse, see ruling below, it would be prudent to recite Namaz-e-Ayat between 01.43 GMT (or moon rise if later) and 03.26 GMT.
You may access some useful masail related to the performance of Namaz-e-Ayat: http://www.al-islam.org/laws/ayaat.html
Mumineen are also reminded that since the Eclipse all over Europe is total, Namaz-e-Ayat has to be performed in Qadha if you were to learn of the eclipse after the event.
The total eclipse should be a spectacular sight; although the Moon will be just within the Earth's umbral shadow (the umbral magnitude is 1.111), it should be visibly coloured by the Earth's atmosphere. Don't miss it!
|
