A rare celestial event will grip the skies on March 3 as a total lunar eclipse turns the Moon a deep, dusty red.
This phenomenon, often called a Blood Moon, occurs when the Earth moves directly between the Sun and the Moon.
While the Earth blocks direct sunlight, some light still filters through our atmosphere. The shorter blue wavelengths scatter away, leaving only the longer red wavelengths to strike the lunar surface.
WHY DOES THE MOON TURN RED DURING AN ECLIPSE?
The shift to a copper tone is the result of all the sunrises and sunsets on Earth projecting onto the Moon at once.
If the Earth had no atmosphere, the Moon would go completely black during a total lunar eclipse.
However, our atmosphere acts like a lens, bending the light and painting the lunar disk in shades ranging from bright orange to blood-red.
WHEN CAN YOU WATCH THE BLOOD MOON IN INDIA?
The spectacle will begin during the early evening hours as the Moon rises. In New Delhi, the total eclipse starts at 5:21 PM IST and concludes at 6:23 PM IST.
Because the Moon will be low on the horizon during the peak of the event, it might appear even larger than usual due to the Moon illusion.
Viewers should find a clear spot with an unobstructed view of the eastern horizon to catch the start.
FOR HOW LONG WILL THE MOON TURN RED?
Observers across India will witness this transformation. The total phase of the eclipse, where the Moon is completely bathed in the shadow of the Earth, will last for approximately 1 hour and 2 minutes.
This period of totality is when the vibrant red hue is most visible to the naked eye.
DO YOU NEED SPECIAL EQUIPMENT TO SEE IT?
Unlike a solar eclipse, which requires protective eyewear, a lunar eclipse is 100 per cent safe to watch with the naked eye.
You do not need telescopes or filters to enjoy the view.
However, using a pair of binoculars can help you see the craters on the lunar surface as they transition through the shifting shadows.
