The Lunar Eclipse 2023 is a Celestial Event that will Captivate Astronomy Enthusiasts in India. Stargazers and astronomy admirers are in for a mesmerising treat later this week as a partial lunar eclipse is set to adorn the night skies on October 28-29.
Following the annular solar eclipse earlier this month, the upcoming lunar spectacle marks the second significant celestial event of the month.
Key Highlights: The Lunar Eclipse Timings and Duration
According to the latest information released by the Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar, the moon will begin its entry into the penumbra at 11.31 pm on October 28. Subsequently, the umbral phase is scheduled to commence at 1.05 am and conclude at 2:24 am on October 29. This lunar eclipse, classified as a partial lunar eclipse, will span an hour and 19 minutes with a relatively small magnitude of 0.126.
Lunar Eclipse 2023: Global Visibility and Magnitude
The celestial spectacle is expected to be visible from various regions across the globe, including the Western Pacific Ocean, Australia, Asia, Europe, Africa, eastern South America, north-eastern North America, the Atlantic Ocean, the Indian Ocean, and the South Pacific Ocean.
Interestingly, the maximum eclipse visibility is forecasted for 1.44 am, with approximately six percent of the moon’s disk expected to be enveloped. Astronomical expert and former deputy director at Pathani Samanta Planetarium, Subhendu Patnaik, assured that this awe-inspiring event could be observed with the naked eye.
Future Lunar Eclipses on the Horizon
While the upcoming lunar eclipse is set to cast its spell this week, the next lunar eclipse visible from India is anticipated to grace the night skies on September 7, 2025, marking a total lunar eclipse. Reflecting on previous and future astronomical events, Patnaik further highlighted that India is unlikely to witness any of the four eclipses scheduled for 2024, two solar and two lunar, accentuating the rarity and significance of this week’s celestial occurrence.
Astronomy enthusiasts and curious onlookers are encouraged to seize the opportunity to marvel at this rare cosmic Lunar Eclipse 2023 spectacle that promises to add a touch of magic to the night.
More about the partial lunar eclipse in India
A partial lunar eclipse will occur on 28-29 October, 2023 (6-7 Kartika, 1945 Saka Era). Though Moon will enter penumbra at midnight of 28th October, the umbral phase will start in the early hour of 29th October. The Eclipse will be visible from all places of India around mid-night.
The Lunar Eclipse 2023 will be visible in the region covering Western Pacific Ocean, Australia, Asia, Europe, Africa, eastern South America, north–eastern North America, the Atlantic Ocean, the Indian Ocean and the South Pacific Ocean.
The umbral phase of this eclipse will begin at 01 hr. 05 min IST on 29th October and will end at 02h 24m IST.
The duration of the Lunar Eclipse will be 1 hour 19 minutes with very small magnitude 0.126.
The next lunar eclipse which will be visible from India on 07 September 2025 and the same will be a total Lunar eclipse.
Last lunar eclipse which was visible from India was on 8 November, 2022 and it was a total eclipse.
Lunar Eclipse 2023 will occur on a full moon day when the earth comes in between the Sun and the Moon and when 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 only when a part of the moon comes under shadow of the Earth.
