India is set to witness a partial lunar eclipse on October 29, 2023, which will be the second and last lunar eclipse of the year. The celestial event will occur when the Earth’s shadow partially covers the full moon, making it appear darker than usual. Here are some details about the lunar eclipse and its visibility in India.
What is a partial lunar eclipse?
A partial lunar eclipse happens when the Earth, the Sun and the Moon are not perfectly aligned, and only a part of the Moon passes through the Earth’s umbra, or the darkest part of its shadow. The rest of the Moon remains in the penumbra, or the lighter part of the shadow, which causes a slight dimming of its brightness.
When and where will it be visible?
According to the Ministry of Science, the partial lunar eclipse will begin at 01:05 am IST on October 29 and will end at 02:24 am IST. The maximum phase of the eclipse will occur at 01:45 am IST, when about 12.6% of the Moon’s surface will be covered by the Earth’s shadow. The duration of the eclipse will be 1 hour and 19 minutes.
The eclipse will be visible in the region covering Western Pacific Ocean, Australia, Asia, Europe, Africa, eastern South America, north-eastern North America, the Atlantic Ocean, the Indian Ocean and the South Pacific Ocean. The partial lunar eclipse will be visible from all places of India around midnight.
What are the effects and precautions of the lunar eclipse?
Lunar eclipses are considered inauspicious by some people who believe that they have negative effects on human health and well-being. Some people also observe certain rituals and practices during the eclipse, such as fasting, chanting mantras, avoiding eating or drinking, and taking a bath after the eclipse.
However, there is no scientific evidence to support these beliefs and superstitions. Lunar eclipses are natural phenomena that do not harm anyone or anything. They are also safe to watch with naked eyes or with binoculars or telescopes. There is no need to take any special precautions or measures during the lunar eclipse.
When is the next lunar eclipse?
The next lunar eclipse will be a total lunar eclipse that will occur on September 7, 2025. A total lunar eclipse occurs when the entire Moon passes through the Earth’s umbra, creating a reddish hue on its surface. This is also known as a blood moon. The total lunar eclipse will be visible from India and many other parts of the world.
