Countdown for the longest lunar eclipse of the century begins

Friday's lunar eclipse is tipped to be the longest in the century and planetariums across the country have made elaborate arrangements for enthusiasts, but rains and cloudy skies are likely to play a spoilsport in several cities.

According to Skymet Weather, residents of Delhi, Lucknow, Amritsar, Shimla, Dehradun and Chandigarh may not be able to see the rare celestial event due to a cloudy sky.

Also, those living in Kolkata, Ranchi, Karnal, Guwahati and Srinagar may remain deprived of witnessing the lunar eclipse due to bad weather.

The eclipse will also coincide with the closest approach of Mars to Earth. Earlier this year, there was a total lunar eclipse on January 31. For a total lunar eclipse of a long duration to occur, the moon has to pass through the central part of the Earth's shadow.