Total lunar eclipse 2018: How to watch blood moon in India, date and timings

A total lunar eclipse or as we call in Hindi, 'poorna chandra grahan' is all set to take place on the intervening night of July 27 and July 28, 2018. The Moon will disappear into the Earth's darkest shadow, known as the umbra.

This lunar eclipse will also feature the longest blood moon that the Earth has witnessed in 100 years. Astronomers are expecting the blood moon to last one hour and 43 minutes. This eclipse will also be the longest total lunar eclipse of the 21st century.

The date and visibility timings of the total lunar eclipse in India:

The total lunar eclipse will be fully visible in Delhi. The penumbral eclipse will begin at 11:44 pm IST on July 27, 2018, followed by a partial eclipse at 11:54 pm.

A total eclipse will start at 1:00 am (July 28). The moon, closest to the centre of the shadow, will showcase the maximum eclipse at 1:51 am.

At 2:43 am, the total eclipse will end. The partial eclipse will start again around 3:49 am. At 4:58



am, the penumbral eclipse will end. The total duration of the eclipse will be 6 hours and 14 minutes.

This year's second total lunar eclipse

This year's first total lunar eclipse occurred on January 31, 2018, when the earthlings witnessed a celestial trifecta (A total lunar eclipse, a blue moon and a super moon). January's total lunar eclipse was witnessed after 174 years in India. May 31, 1844, was the last time an event of this sort occurred in India.

Visibility of the total lunar eclipse 2018:

The lunar eclipse will be visible in South America, East Africa, the West Asia and central Asia.

How to watch total lunar eclipse?

One can watch the total lunar eclipse with naked eyes post 11:44 pm IST onwards. The visibility in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and other major cities will be complete but since it is the rainy season, clouds may disrupt the view.

If you want to witness the total lunar eclipse start around 1:00 am IST.