A total lunar eclipse will occur on the night of 7 September 2025, which will be visible from all over India, including Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. The partial eclipse begins at 9:57 PM on 7 September and ends at 1:27 AM on 8 September. The total eclipse will last from 11:01 PM on 7 September to 00:23 AM on 8 September. The next total lunar eclipse that can be seen will be in December 2028 and hence this upcoming event is an important occasion for all of us to enjoy the celestial spectacle and learn about our Universe. Though clouds and the lateness of the event may prove a hindrance, we hope that the public will get to see the eclipse in large numbers.
During past eclipses, many science popularisation organisations, amateur astronomers, and individual volunteers have publicised these events among the students, teachers, and general public as well as helped organise eclipse watching camps, in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. In order to facilitate such a mass activity again, the Indian Institute of Astrophysics is organising two “Training the Trainers” workshops to help the participants prepare themselves for engaging the public about the eclipse.
Two workshops will be organised, one at Vainu Bappu Observatory, Kavalur for participants from northern Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, and one at Kodaikanal Solar Observatory for participants from southern Tamil Nadu. Both workshops will be held from the morning of 2 August till the noon of 3 August simultaneously. The objective of this workshop is to build a skilled resource group capable of providing training and technical support to local organizers in their neighbourhoods, and help organise eclipse viewing camps during the event. We aim that a few 1000 eclipse observations events will be organised throughout TN and Puducherry.
Logistics considerations at both venues severely limit the number of potential participants. Priority will be given to those who have prior experience of organising public science programs. We invite applications from motivated individuals as well as nominations from various science popularisation organisations. Travel expenses from their residence to the venue will have to be borne by the selected participant. Food and shared accommodation will be provided free of charge. The workshops will be conducted predominantly in the Tamil language.
Those interested should fill in the form by 27 July Sunday midnight. Selected individuals will informed by the midnight of 29 July. Please note that, for nominations by organisations, we require the nominated persons to fill in the form, as well as an email from the organisation with the nominated names to scope@iiap.res.in by the deadline on 27 July.
We invite your application and also request you to share this information with other interested organisations and individuals.