A total lunar eclipse will grace the skies late Sunday night, with its peak expected at 11:48 pm and lasting for 48 minutes, according to experts at the Nehru Planetarium.
lunar eclipse (File Photo: ANI)
A total lunar eclipse will grace the skies late Sunday night, with its peak expected at 11:48 pm and lasting for 48 minutes, according to experts at the Nehru Planetarium.
Senior Planetarium Engineer O P Gupta said the rare event would be visible across India, Pakistan, and China. In Delhi, the penumbral phase of the eclipse will begin at 8:58 pm, followed by the partial eclipse around 9:57 pm. “People can watch it easily. It will not harm the eyes, and unlike solar eclipses, there are no restrictions on eating or drinking during the phenomenon,” Gupta said.
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A lunar eclipse occurs only during the full moon, when Earth comes directly between the Sun and the Moon. As the Earth’s shadow falls on the lunar surface, the Moon’s brightness dims and sometimes takes on a reddish hue, a sight popularly called the “Blood Moon.”
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Explaining the phenomenon, astronomers said during a total lunar eclipse, the Moon passes through the inner part of Earth’s shadow, known as the umbra. Although direct sunlight is blocked, some light passes through Earth’s atmosphere and reaches the lunar surface, giving it a dim glow. This scattering of light is what produces the Moon’s dramatic red tint.
Unlike solar eclipses, which are visible only from narrow strips of land, lunar eclipses can be seen from anywhere on Earth’s night side. Sunday’s eclipse will thus be visible to millions of people across Asia.
Skywatchers are advised to look to the eastern horizon as the event begins and then watch as the Moon darkens and reddens over the course of the evening.
Experts say the 2025 total lunar eclipse will be one of the most striking celestial events of the year, offering both a scientific and visual treat.
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