Century’s longest lunar eclipse on July 27.

It will be visible from all parts of the country.

The longest total lunar eclipse of this century would be visible from all parts of the country on July 27.

The celestial body would also be tinged with a reddish hue, a phenomenon popularly referred to as a blood moon.

Director, Research and Academic, MP Birla Institute of Fundamental Research, MP Birla Planetarium, Debiprosad Duari told PTI, “Viewers in India are lucky, since the eclipse, both partial and the total, will be entirely visible from all parts of the country.”

The eclipse would also be visible in parts of South America, much of Africa, West Asia and Central Asia, he said.

The total lunar eclipse would last for one hour and 43 minutes while partial eclipses, which would precede and follow the total eclipse, would last more than an hour, he said.

The partial eclipse of the moon would start at 11:54 pm IST on July 27 and the total eclipse would begin at 1 am on July 28. The moon would look the darkest at 1:52 am on July 28 and it would continue till 2:43 am.

“Blood moon” is a non-scientific term used to refer to the red tinge on a fully eclipsed moon.

“After this period, the moon will remain partially eclipsed till 3:49 am of July 28. It will be a golden opportunity for celestial enthusiasts in India as the eclipse will be visible almost throughout the night,” Mr. Duari said.

During a total lunar eclipse, the Moon’s disk can take on a dramatically colourful appearance from bright orange to blood red and more rarely dark brown to very dark gray, depending upon the part of the Earth’s shadow it would be passing through. This was the reason a totally eclipsed Moon, at times, was called as blood moon.

Describing 2018, as a year of lunar eclipses, Mr. Duari said the last total lunar eclipse took place earlier on January 31.

“The next total lunar eclipse on January 21, 2019, will be only for one hour and two minutes because it will pass to the north of the shadow’s centre,” Mr. Duari added. (Source: The Hindu)