The much-awaited century's longest lunar eclipse or Chandra Grahan will be visible tonight across the world. In India, lunar eclipse timings will be 10:44 pm tonight and it will end at 4:58 am on July 28. The total lunar eclipse, in which the moon will appear red, also called Blood Moon, will be visible from 1 am to 2:43 am tonight. The century's longest total lunar eclipse duration will be 103 minutes or 1 hour 43 minutes long. This period of complete lunar eclipse -- known as "totality", is the time when the moon appears darkest or reddish in colour. To witness this rare celestial phenomenon, set your alarms for 1 am to see the moon 'blush' red.
Here's your guide to frequently asked questions or FAQs on Chandra Grahan, Lunar Eclipse And Blood Moon:
Chandra Grahan or Lunar Eclipse Date: July 27-28
Chandra Grahan or Lunar Eclipse Timings: 10:44 pm on July 27 to 4:58 am on July 28 in India
Total Lunar Eclipse Timings: 1 am to 2:43 am on July 27 night (28 July) in India
Lunar Eclipse 2018: The next total lunar eclipse will occur on December 31, 2028.
Chandra Grahan or Lunar Eclipse Location: Much of Europe, Much of Asia, Australia, Africa, South in North America, South America, Pacific, Atlantic, Indian Ocean and Antarctica. In India, Chandra Grahan will be visible from cities including Delhi, Pune, Bengaluru and Mumbai among others.
Weather experts say, monsoons can play a dampner in watching Lunar Eclipse clearly. In Jammu and Kashmir and Tamil Nadu, however, the sky would be clearer and people would be able to enjoy the celestial event clearly, reports news agency PTI.
What is Lunar Eclipse?
A lunar eclipse happens when the Earth lines up directly between the sun and the moon, causing its shadow to fall on the moon. This happens as the moon orbits the Earth, and the Earth orbits the sun. Depending on the position of the Earth and the moon relative to the sun, this phenomenon takes place and the moon is eclipsed. This, according to NASA website, is a lunar eclipse.
What is Total Lunar Eclipse?
A total lunar eclipse happens when the whole moon enters the Earth's shadow. Some sunlight still reaches the moon, but first it goes through the Earth's atmosphere. The atmosphere filters out most of the sun's blue light, so the moon looks red.
Lunar Eclipse 2018: Blood moon will appear tonight as moon will be seen with a reddish tint during Total Lunar Eclipse.
While the Moon is in the Earth's shadow, it will take on a reddish tint, known as a "Blood Moon" or Red Moon. A blood moon is the term for a total lunar eclipse due to the reddish colour of the moon.
Why will moon appear red during Total Lunar Eclipse?
During a lunar eclipse, we can see the Earth's shadow on the moon. When Earth completely blocks the sunlight, the moon looks red or orange. A lunar eclipse can last for a few hours. At least two lunar eclipses happen every year.
What are various stages of Lunar Eclipse?
Penumbral eclipse begins: This starts when the outer (and lighter) part of the Earth's shadow begins moving across the Moon
Partial eclipse begins: This stage takes hold when the darker, inner part of the Earth's shadow (umbra) begins covering the Moon
Total eclipse begins: Also called totality, this occurs when the umbra completely covers the Moon, turning it a reddish brown colour
Maximum eclipse: The mid-point of totality
Total eclipse ends: The umbra starts moving away from the Moon's face after totality
Partial eclipse ends: Earth's umbra completely leaves the surface of the Moon
Penumbral eclipse ends: The outer part of the shadow (penumbra) completely moves away from the Moon
Where can I watch Chandra Grahan or Lunar Eclipse Online/ Live Stream?
You can watch Chandra Grahan or Lunar Eclipse Online/ LIVE stream on: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZMR930hDSQ
Can we watch Lunar Eclipse with bare eyes?
One can watch a lunar eclipse with naked eye. A binocular, however, will give a better view of the spectacular celestial event. Also, Lunar eclipses are safe to view without any eye protection or special precautions, as they are dimmer than the full Moon.
What are the effects of Lunar Eclipse during pregnancy?
A common myth is that pregnant women should stay indoors and do not cook or use sharp objects. People believe that the "dark moon" will "curse" the unborn child. Women are also advised not to use knives and sharp objects during an eclipse as it may lead to birthmarks. Experts however, say that there is just a superstition and pregnant women can safely witness the Lunar Eclipse.
What are common superstitions around lunar eclipse in India?
One of the common myths related to food is that one should avoid during a lunar eclipse. Cooking, eating and drinking are avoided during lunar eclipses in India as people are superstitious about food "going bad" during eclipses. However, this is just a superstition and one can cook and eat without having to worry about its harmful effects. In the dead of the night, however, by the time lunar eclipse would occur, Indians would have already had their dinner. Experts say that one of the prime reasons one was asked to stay on an empty stomach was to aid one's meditation practice during that time as meditation is more effective on an empty stomach.
What other events coincide with Total Lunar Eclipse?
Apart from it being century's longest lunar eclipse, Mars will be very close to the moon on the same night. Astronomers say, Mars will be visible with the naked eye. Also, since it will be a full moon night, Guru Purnima is being observed in India on the auspicious day.
What is Mars Opposition?
It will be an exciting an exciting opportunity for star gazers to watch the bright red planet right next to the red (eclipsed) Moon on that night.
Mars will rise around the sunset time and will set around the time of sunrise. An opposition happens when Mars is the closest to Earth in its orbit, both on the same side of the Sun.
The red planet will appears brighter and bigger than usual.
The distance between Mars and the Earth ranges between about 400-million kilometers (2.7 Astronomical Units, or AU) and 56-million km (0.38AU). The closest approaches occur during opposition.
This time, Mars comes the closest to Earth as compared to any time in the last 15 years. As a consequence, it will also appear to be the biggest and brightest in the last 15 years. At this time, Mars will be just 58 million kilometres from the Earth.
Even at the closest approach, Mars will seem small. It would take a telescope equipped with a lens or mirror that is at least six inches in aperture to discern even the major surface features of Mars, news agency PTI reported.
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