Partial Lunar Eclipse to Grace the Night Skies on October 28-29, 2023
Sky gazers and astronomy enthusiasts are in for a celestial treat as a partial lunar eclipse is set to grace the night skies on the weekend of October 28-29, 2023. This stunning astronomical phenomenon, occurring on the 6th-7th day of Kartika in the year 1945 of the Saka Era, will be visible from all parts of India, commencing with the moon’s entry into the penumbra on the midnight of October 28.
Highlights:
- Eclipse Timeline: The partial lunar eclipse is scheduled to take place on the intervening night of October 28 and 29. While the moon will initially enter the penumbral phase on the night of the 28th, the umbral phase will commence in the early hours of the 29th. Skywatchers in India can expect to witness the eclipse around midnight.
- Global Visibility: This celestial spectacle will not be confined to India alone but will be visible across a vast expanse. The regions fortunate enough to observe this cosmic show include the Western Pacific Ocean, Australia, Asia, Europe, Africa, eastern South America, northeastern North America, the Atlantic Ocean, the Indian Ocean, and the South Pacific Ocean.
- Eclipse Phases: The umbral phase of the eclipse will officially commence at 01:05 IST on October 29 and will draw to a close at 02:24 IST. The entire duration of the eclipse is estimated to span approximately 1 hour and 19 minutes. The magnitude of this lunar spectacle is relatively modest, with a value of 0.126.
- Upcoming Eclipses: For avid eclipse chasers and sky enthusiasts, there is more celestial action on the horizon. The next lunar eclipse visible from India is slated for September 7, 2025, promising a total lunar eclipse. The most recent lunar eclipse witnessed from India occurred on November 8, 2022, and was a total eclipse.
In the realm of astronomy, a lunar eclipse transpires on a full moon day when Earth aligns itself between the sun and the moon. This configuration results in two types of lunar eclipses: a total lunar eclipse when the entire moon resides within Earth’s umbral shadow, and a partial lunar eclipse, where only a segment of the moon falls under Earth’s shadow. The partial lunar eclipse offers an enthralling celestial event, inviting stargazers to marvel at the mesmerizing dance of celestial bodies.
