Last lunar eclipse of the year

More than 500 enthusiasts witnessed the last total lunar eclipse of the year at the Nehru Planetarium on Saturday. The eclipse was also visible in parts of Europe, East Africa, Asia, the Pacific and North America.

More than 500 enthusiasts witnessed the last total lunar eclipse of the year at the Nehru Planetarium on Saturday.

In-this-photo-combination-the-different--stages-of-the-moon-during-a--lunar-eclipse-as-seen-from-the-Griffith-Observatory-in-Los-Angeles--AP-Photo

The Amateur Astronomers’ Association of Delhi (AAAD) and Nehru Planetarium had organised a free-of-cost public observation of the event. The celestial event started at 5pm and went on till 10pm.

“The rare scenes were witnessed between 7.30pm and 8.30pm,” said Vishnu Rethiman, member AAAD.

The eclipse was also visible in parts of Europe, East Africa, Asia, the Pacific and North America. India will see the next total lunar eclipse in 2014.

A total lunar eclipse occurs when the earth casts its shadow over the moon. But instead of getting dark, the moon is illuminated because of the indirect sunlight it receives, which gives it a shade of red.