Partial Lunar Eclipse 2023: When and how to watch Chandra Grahan in India, check date and timing

After the solar eclipse this month the sky will be graced with yet another celestial phenomenon, lunar eclipse. The partial lunar eclipse will grace the night sky on the night of October 28-29. The month of October has proven to be a month of astronomical adventures and now it’s the moon’s turn to take center stage. Lunar eclipses, as explained by NASA, occur when the moon, Earth, and the sun align perfectly, causing Earth’s shadow to fall on the moon’s surface, temporarily darkening it and sometimes casting a striking red hue.When Earth positions itself partially between the fullmoon and the sun, we witness a partial lunar eclipse. So, for all the key details about this celestial event, from dates to timings, keep reading.

Partial Lunar Eclipse 2023: time and date

The Press Information Bureau informs us that the moon will step into the penumbral phase at midnight on October 28, and the umbral phase, when the eclipse becomes more prominent, will kick off in the early hours of October 29. The umbral phase of this lunar eclipse will commence at 1:05 am on October 29 and conclude at 2:24 am. According to the agency, the entire eclipse will last for 1 hour and 19 minutes.

Will the Partial Lunar Eclipse be visible in India?

This lunar eclipse will be visible from various parts of the world, including Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, North America, North and East South America, the Pacific, the Atlantic, the Indian Ocean, the Arctic, and Antarctica. India will have a clear view of the moon’s gradual darkening around midnight.

How to watch the Partial Lunar Eclipse?

All you need is a bit of knowledge about the eclipse’s timing and a chair to sit back and enjoy. For the astrophotographers among us, a camera with a telescopic lens can capture the eclipse beautifully, while binoculars can enhance the experience for all sky gazers. And here’s another piece of good news: if you happen to miss this partial eclipse, there’s another chance on September 17, 2024, when the moon will be visible in its entirety across most of Europe and all of North America.

What is a partial lunar eclipse?

A partial lunar eclipse is a celestial phenomenon in which only a portion of the Moon passes through the Earth’s shadow. This occurs when the Earth, the Moon, and the Sun are not perfectly aligned in a straight line. During a partial lunar eclipse, a section of the Moon darkens as it moves through the outer part of the Earth’s shadow, known as the penumbra. Unlike a total lunar eclipse, where the entire Moon is submerged in the Earth’s shadow, a partial lunar eclipse presents a striking visual display as it creates a crescent-shaped shadow on the lunar surface. The Moon may appear dimmer or take on a reddish tint during this event, depending on the atmospheric conditions on Earth. Partial lunar eclipses are captivating astronomical events that offer unique opportunities for observation and photography, making them a popular subject for skywatchers and astronomers alike.