Longest lunar eclipse of century to take place tonight.

Today's total lunar eclipse will be this century's longest eclipse. The eclipse will begin a little before midnight at about 11.15 p.m. and will last for an hour and 43 minutes.

The eclipse can be seen from all over the country when there are no clouds. The eclipse will also be visible from countries in Africa, Central Asia, South America, Europe and Australia. As the shadow glides across the surface of the Moon, it takes on a distinctive red glow - an effect caused by the bending of light in Earth's atmosphere.

Obviously from where the term "blood moon" comes from but, this one will happen for about one hour 42 minutes and 57 seconds. When the longest "blood moon" in history is happening, Mars will be only 35.9 million miles from Earth. According to experts, this is the closest that the red planet has been to Earth in 15 years.

It is occurring at a time when the moon is at its farthest distance from the earth therefore, it will be the longest total lunar eclipse in this century.

This time, the moon would pass right through the centre of the earth's shadow which makes it the first central lunar eclipse after the one in June 2011. (Source: News on Air)(Article Related to GS paper-1 and GS paper – 3)