On 26 May 2021, the Moon will undergo a Total Lunar Eclipse, passing through the shadow of the Earth for a short while. This will be the first Total Lunar Eclipse in more than two years. At the same time, the Moon will be at perigee, the closest point to Earth in its orbit, indicating the sight of 'Supermoon' as well.
As per the Ministery of Earth Sciences (MoES), "A total eclipse of the Moon will occur on May 26 (5 Jyaistha, 1943 Saka Era). From India, just after the moonrise, the ending of the partial phase of the eclipse will be visible for a short span of time from northeastern parts of India (except Sikkim), some parts of West Bengal, some coastal parts of Odisha and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands."
🌓🌏🌞 Supermoon + total lunar eclipse? It's showtime.
— NASA (@NASA) May 25, 2021
Tomorrow in the pre-dawn hours, the Moon will pass through Earth's shadow. If you live in Southeast Asia, Polynesia, the western U.S., or Central and South America, set your alarms. Map and details: https://t.co/3vvbhoyLBL pic.twitter.com/ow7W4eaflj
Chandra Grahan India 2021: Date and Time
Total Lunar Eclipse begins at 2:17 p.m. (IST) and will last for about five hours. The phase when the Moon will be covered in Earth's blood-red shadow begins at 4:55 p.m. (IST) and will last 14 minutes 30 seconds.
The Total Lunar Eclipse or Chandra Grahan will be visible from Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific and the western parts of America. It will appear 7% larger and 15% brighter than the normal Moon.
Total Lunar Eclipse 2021: Visibility in India along with Time and Name of Cities
As per the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), it will be visible for a short span from northeastern India, parts of West Bengal, coastal parts of Odisha and Andaman and the Nicobar Islands.
List of Indian cities where Chandra Grahan 2021 will be visible:
1. Agartala - 6.06 pm
2. Aizawl - 5.59 pm
3. Kolkata - 6.15 pm
4. Cherrapunji - 6.06 pm
5. Cooch Behar - 6.18 pm
6. Diamond Harbour - 6.15 pm
7. Digha - 6.16 pm
8. Guwahati - 6.09 pm
9. Imphal - 5.56 pm
10. Itanagar - 6.02 pm
11. Kohima - 5.57 pm
12. Lumding - 6.01 pm
13. Malda - 6.21 pm
14. North Lakhimpur - 6 pm
15. Paradeep - 6.18 pm
16. Pashighat - 5.57 pm
17. Port Blair - 5.38 pm
18. Puri - 6.21 pm
19. Shillong - 6.06 pm
20. Sibsagar - 5.58 pm
21. Silchar - 6.01 pm
How to watch the Total Lunar Eclipse 2021 online?
The Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles will live stream the eclipse beginning at 2:15 p.m. (IST). The Lowell Observatory in Arizona will start its broadcast at 3:00 p.m. (IST). The Astronomical Society of South Australia will also broadcast the eclipse live on Facebook and YouTube starting at 3:00 p.m. (IST).
One Moon, Many Names
This full Moon is known as the 'Blood Moon' since it will pass through the shadow of the Earth, thereby appearing red. May's full Moon is known as the 'Flower Moon' since flowers are abundant at this time of the year. It has other names too, including the 'Corn Planting Moon' and the 'Milk Moon'. Clubbing the two together, we get 'Super Flower Blood Moon'.
This full Moon signifies Buddha Purnima. It commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and death of Gautama Buddha. The date of Buddha Purnima varies depending upon the lunar calendar in use in the particular country or region.
What is a Lunar Eclipse?
When the Sun and the Moon are exactly opposite to each other, a Lunar Eclipse takes place. During this alignment, Earth blocks the sunlight from reaching the Moon, giving it a deep, rosy glow.
Types of Lunar Eclipses
There are three types of Lunar Eclipses-- Total, Partial and Penumbral.
In a Total Lunar Eclipse, the inner part of the Earth-- umbra -- falls on the surface of the Moon. At mid-eclipse, the Moon appears to be bloody red.
In a Partial Lunar Eclipse, the inner part of the Earth-- umbra -- falls only on a fraction of the Moon's surface. The Moon appears to have a bite on its surface which grows but never reaches the total phase.
In a Penumbral Lunar Eclipse, the outer part of the Earth-- penumbra-- falls on the surface of the Moon. At mid-eclipse, a shading will appear on the Moon's surface which is not visible to the naked eyes.
| What are Supermoons? The Moon rotates around the Earth in an elliptical orbit. Every month, the Moon passes through the point closest to Earth (Perigee) and the point farthest from the Earth (Apogee). When the Moon is at Perigee and full at the same time, it is called a Supermoon. Who coined the term Supermoon? In 1979, astrologer Richard Nolle coined the term Supermoon. It refers to either a new or full Moon that occurs when the Moon is within 90% of perigee, its closest approach to Earth, according to NASA. |
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