Lunar Eclipse 2023 Today: Indian City Wise Timings, When, Where and How To Watch The First Chandra Grahan Of This Year?

A lunar eclipse is a fascinating astronomical occurrence that allows you to see the moon in all its grandeur. It's a fantastic opportunity to learn more about the workings of our solar system and the motions of the celestial bodies. The first lunar eclipse of 2023 will be a penumbral eclipse, and it will occur today, May 5. It will fall on Buddha Purnima, which is regarded as an auspicious day. The  Lunar Eclipse 2023 in India will begin Today on May 5 at generally 8:44 IST, as per timeanddate.com. Around 10:52 IST, the shroud will arrive at its greatest stage or pinnacle. On May 6, the penumbral overshadowing will end at around 1:00 a.m.

This year’s Flower Full Moon—at 17:34 UTC on May 5—is special: it will produce the deepest #penumbral #eclipse until September 2042.https://t.co/l26UC3eQ65https://t.co/5NqugoYUIqhttps://t.co/wb4bdUFXS4

📷: ©https://t.co/uAUCKqatOh#fullmoon #fullmoonmay #flowermoon pic.twitter.com/yvPPr90TnZ

— timeanddate.com (@timeanddate) May 3, 2023

Near miss! During the #penumbral lunar #eclipse on May 5, the Moon will pass within about 160 km (100 miles) of the darkest part of Earth’s #shadow.

According to our numbers, it’s the 4th closest near miss in the period 2001 to 2050.https://t.co/Y8iL6vau4Y pic.twitter.com/jhsuCI5z17

— timeanddate.com (@timeanddate) May 3, 2023

What is an Eclipse?

When a planet or moon passes through the shadow of another celestial body, an eclipse is caused. A syzygy is the name for this alignment of three heavenly bodies. The two different types of eclipses are:

Solar Eclipse: A solar eclipse occurs when the New Moon passes in front of the Sun and Earth, obstructing its rays and creating a shadow over some areas of the planet.

Lunar Eclipse: On the other hand, when the Moon passes through the Earth's shadow and darkens as a result, a lunar eclipse occurs. 

Lunar Eclipse 2023: All Questions and Answers Here for Chandra Grahan on May 5

How does Lunar Eclipse occur?

When the Moon passes through the Earth's shadow and darkens as a result, an eclipse of the moon takes place. Approximately every six months, during the full moon phase, when the Moon's orbital plane is closest to the Earth's orbital plane, such alignment takes place during an eclipse season.

What are the different types of Lunar Eclipse?

There are three different types of Lunar Eclipses:

• Total Lunar Eclipse
• Penumbral Lunar Eclipse
• Partial Lunar Eclipse

What is Penumbral Lunar Eclipse?

Total lunar eclipses, partial lunar eclipses, and penumbral lunar eclipses are the three different forms of lunar eclipses. The penumbra is a shadow's lighter outer region. Partial solar eclipses are caused by the penumbra of the Moon, whereas penumbral lunar eclipses are caused by the penumbra of the Earth. A penumbral lunar eclipse happens when the moon passes through the penumbra, the thin, outside region of Earth's shadow, a penumbral lunar eclipse occurs. Because it is not as dramatic as other kinds of lunar eclipses, this one is frequently mistaken for an ordinary Full Moon.

Total penumbral eclipses are a minor component of lunar eclipses, and their frequency varies from 0 to 9 times per century. This oscillation has a period of about 600 years and correlates with the frequency of total umbral eclipses and tetrads.

When to Watch the Penumbral Lunar Eclipse 2023?

On May 5, there will be the first Chandra Grahan or Lunar eclipse. According to Timeanddate.com, the penumbral eclipse will start on May 5 at 10:11 a.m. EST (15:11 GMT), reach its maximum at 12:22 p.m. EST (17:22 GMT), and conclude at 14:31 p.m. EST (19:31 GMT). Indian skywatchers can catch the celestial event on May 5 at 8:44 PM IST, which will end at 1:00 AM IST. 

About Different Phases of Lunar Eclipse 2023

Also Check Chandra Grahan 2023 Sutak Time

Where will be Chandra Grahan 2023 visible?

The first lunar eclipse of the year will be visible from some areas of Europe, Africa, Australia, Asia, and the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans, according to reports from Time and Date. And this year people can witness the cosmic event in India too.

Lunar Eclipse 2023 Time in India

The penumbral eclipse will start on May 5 at roughly 8:44 IST, according to timeanddate.com. Around 10:52 IST, the eclipse will reach its maximum phase or peak. On May 6, the penumbral eclipse will end at about 1:00 a.m.

When almost the entire Moon is enclosed by the umbra of the Earth, this is when a lunar eclipse is at its most intense. The Moon will not, therefore, resemble a spherical cookie from which a bite has been taken during the maximum phase. According to Earth Sky, the Moon will instead have a black shade on it. The lunar eclipse will last for four hours and 18 minutes in total. 

This celestial event will be visible across significant parts of the country, including New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, and Pune, which are some renowned cities in India.

Penumbral Lunar Eclipse 2023: City-wise Timings

What are the different types of Eclipses?

How to Watch the Lunar Eclipse 2023 Live?

The umbra, the centre of the Earth's shadow, is substantially darker than the penumbra, the outside shadow. Therefore, it can often be challenging to distinguish a penumbral lunar eclipse from a regular full moon. One can simply go outside, gaze up, and enjoy watching one. No special equipment, such as a telescope, is required. However, binoculars or a small telescope will reveal specifics on the lunar surface. Observing the moon during an eclipse is just as fascinating as it is at other times. However, even with telescopes, it is hard to see the beginning and end of a penumbral lunar eclipse.

When will be the next Lunar Eclipse in 2023?

The second lunar eclipse in 2023 will take place on October 28. It will be a partial lunar eclipse seen in regions of Australia, the E. Americas, Europe, Africa, and Asia. Check the table below to know about further dates of eclipses in the coming year.

List of Next 8 Penumbral Eclipse

Difference between Solar and Lunar Eclipse

What are the different types of full moon?

• Wolf Moon
• Snow Moon
• Worm Moon
• Pink Moon
• Flower Moon
• Strawberry Moon
• Buck Moon
• Sturgeon Moon
• Full Corn Moon
• Hunter’s Moon
• Beaver Moon
• Cold Moon

Why is the Lunar Eclipse also called Blood Moon?

The moon is fully in Earth's shadow. At the same time, a little bit of light from Earth's sunrises and sunsets (on the disk of the planet) falls on the surface of the moon. Because the light waves are stretched out, they look red. When this red light strikes the moon's surface, it also appears red.

What is the harvest moon?

The name "harvest moon" refers to the full moon that is closest to the autumnal equinox and is among the most well-known Moon names. Farmers are able to harvest harvests from the fields well into the night thanks to the Harvest Moon's illumination. It usually occurs in September.

FYI, there will be a total of four eclipses this year including two solar and two lunar eclipses. The first solar eclipse, a hybrid solar eclipse, occurred on April 20. On October 14, there will be a second solar eclipse which will be an annular eclipse. On May 5, there will be a penumbral lunar eclipse, which will be the first of the year. On October 28, there will be a partial lunar eclipse, which will be the last eclipse of the year.

Important Days and Dates in May 2023