July 27th will mark the century’s longest lunar eclipse which will be visible from all parts of the country. The moon would also be tinged with a reddish hue, a phenomenon popularly referred to as a blood moon. Director, Research, and Academic, MP Birla Institute of Fundamental Research, MP Birla Planetarium, Debiprosad Duari told PTI, “Viewers in India are fortunate, since the eclipse, both partial eclipse, and the total eclipse, would be entirely visible from all parts of the country.” The eclipse can also be seen in other countries as it will be visible in parts of South America, most of Africa, West Asia, and Central Asia, he said. The total lunar eclipse would last for one hour and 43 minutes while partial eclipses, which would follow the total eclipse, would last more than an hour. The partial eclipse of the celestial body would start at 11:54 pm Indian Standard Time on July 27th and the total eclipse would begin at 1 am on July 28th. The moon would look the darkest at 1:52 am on July 28, and it would continue till 2:43 am. “After this period, the moon will remain partially eclipsed till 3:49 am of July 28th. It will be a rare and golden opportunity for celestial enthusiasts and astronomy students in India as the eclipse will be visible almost through the entire night,” Mr. Duari said. During a total lunar eclipse, the Moon’s color may range from bright orange to blood red and rarely dark brown to very dark gray, depending on the part of the Earth’s shadow it would be passing through at that point of time. This was the reason a totally eclipsed Moon is sometimes called a blood moon also.
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