First Lunar Eclipse Of 2023 Today; When & How Long It Will Be Visible, Sarika Gharu Explains

 

The first lunar eclipse of the year is going to occur on 5 May. But it will not be a full but a penumbral lunar eclipse. Actually there are three types of lunar eclipse: Total lunar eclipse, partial lunar eclipse and penumbral lunar eclipse. 

In Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh national award winner science communicator Sarika Gharu explained to the people the phenomenon of lunar eclipse. Lunar Eclipse 2023 will start at 08:44 PM and end at 01:01 AM (IST) on May 6, 2023 that is about one hour after midnight. 
 

Sarika explained that before the eclipse, the moon enters the shadow of the earth, which is called penumbra in English. But on May 5 a total lunar eclipse will not occur, so the shadow of the earth will not fall on the moon. Only the faint, outer part of Earth’s shadow, called the penumbra, will fall on the moon. That is, a blurred shadow will be visible, she said.

No visible change in the shape of Moon

 

There is no visible change in the shape of the Moon in the penumbral lunar eclipse. It looks just like normal days, but if you look carefully, its color will look lighter. But since only a light shadow will fall on the Moon, it will be difficult for casual onlookers to even notice the difference, said Sarika.

 

A lunar eclipse is visible on a much wider scale than a solar eclipse and can be seen anywhere on Earth at night.

 

Special equipment is needed to see the solar eclipse, but this is not the case with the lunar eclipse. You can see the moon even with the naked eye. A telescope can also be used to see it.

 

Many institutions will play livestream and then recorded video of this lunar eclipse. You can view them as per your convenience. The next total lunar eclipse in India will be in March 2025.

 

Eclipse will be visible all over India

 

The lunar eclipse on May 5 will be visible all over India provided the sky is clear.

 

Sarika said apart from India, this eclipse will be visible in parts of Asia, Australia, Russia, North Africa, Russia and Europe on Friday. This eclipse will not be visible in both the American continents.