Chandra Grahan 2021: A super-celestial event will be witnessed by enthusiasts on Wednesday in which the moon will appear slightly reddish-orange in colour and the phenomenon known as a Super Blood Moon will occur after almost two years. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the eclipse will be visible in the region covering South America, North America, Asia, Australia, Antarctica, the Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean.
Lunar eclipse occurs on a full moon day when the Earth comes in between the Sun and the Moon and all the three objects are aligned. A total lunar eclipse will occur when the whole Moon comes under the umbral shadow of the Earth and the partial lunar eclipse occurs when only a part of the Moon comes under the umbral shadow of the Earth. Also Read: Cyclone Yaas: Airports To Shut, Trains Cancelled As Bengal, Odisha Brace For Landfall On Wednesday
This full moon phenomenon, also popularly known as Super Blood Moon will be seen in the eastern sky , just after a total the Lunar Eclipse is visible in many countries of the world. However, in India, the lunar eclipse will be visible from only some places.
Where will Super Blood Moon be visible?
It will be visible for a short span of time from northeastern India, some parts of West Bengal, coastal parts of Odisha and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
"From India, just after moonrise, ending of partial phase of the eclipse will be visible for a short span of time from the northeastern parts (except Sikkim), some parts of West Bengal, some costal parts of Odisha and Andaman and Nicobar Islands," the IMD said, as per the PTI report.
The partial phase of the eclipse will begin at 3.15 p.m. and end at 6.23 p.m., while the total phase will begin at 4.39 p.m. and end at 4.58 p.m. The eclipse can be seen from Port Blair from 5.38 p.m. and viewed for 45 minutes, the longest time. It can be seen from Puri and Malda from 6.21 p.m. but can only be viewed for two minutes.
Why is it so special for sky gazers ?
This is a Super Blood Moon because it appears a full moon and the satellite is closest to Earth. “At perigee a full moon looks 30 per cent bigger and 14 per cent brighter than an average full moon. That is the reason the full moon will shine brighter and also look bigger on that night,” said renowned astrophysicist Debiprasad Duari, who is also Director of MP Birla Planetarium. While explaining the reason behind calling it a blood moon to the news agency PTI, Duari said as the totally eclipsed moon takes a dark blackish red colour, it is called a blood moon. “This happens because of the comparatively less deviation of the red part of the moon light through the earth’s atmosphere and falling on the moon’s surface,” he added.
When is the next lunar eclipse?
The next lunar eclipse will be witnessed from India on November 19. It will be a partial lunar eclipse. The ending of the partial phase of which will be visible for a very short span of time just after moonrise from extreme northeastern parts of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.