Updated on Saturday, July 04, 2009, 17:33 IST

Hyderabad, July 04: The months of July and August will present a grand spectacle for the skygazers across the country as a rare astronomical event -- a series of triple eclipses, commences from July 7.

"The sequence of the first triple eclipse will be a penumbra lunar eclipse (in which the moon will be darkened by the earth's shadow) occuring on July 7, which will be followed by a solar eclipse on July 22 and then another lunar eclipse on August 7," N Raghunandan Kumar, General Secretary of city-based Planetary Society, said here today.

"The second penumbra lunar eclipse of the year falling on July 7 will not be visible from India, but the third lunar eclipse on August 7 would be visible in the country," he said.

Kumar added that the total solar eclipse on July 22 is a life time opportunity for the people in India.

On July 22, people can witness the last solar eclipse of the year which is total. The eclipse begins at 5.28 am and ends at 10.42 am, whereas the Central Phase begins at 6.23 am and ends at 9.47 am, Kumar said.

The phase when eclipse is at maximum occurs at 8.05 am and will continue for 6 minutes and 44 seconds, Kumar said.

The next total solar eclipse with track of totality covering major populated areas of India would take place only in 2114, that is, over a century later, he said.

However, this event can be seen only partially from major parts of the country. Depending on the location of the observer one can see the sun being covered from 56 per cent to 86 percent or more, Kumar said.

He suggested people to use filters for observing solar eclipse as it may cause injuries to naked eyes.

The Planetary Society would present a series of awareness activities under 'Total Solar Eclipse Awareness Campaign 2009' during the events and undertake various scientific experiments, he added.

Bureau Report