Partial lunar eclipse in October 2023: When, where and how to watch Chandra Grahan, check date and timing

Mark your calendars and get ready for a celestial spectacle as the partial lunar eclipse is set to grace the night sky on October 28-29. All details inside.

Attention all stargazers and astronomy enthusiasts! Get ready to witness the celestial spectacle of a partial lunar eclipse set to grace the night sky on October 28-29. Earlier this month, we were treated to the sight of an annular solar eclipse visible from earth. However, the celestial show isn't over yet in October 2023, as the moon is up next for its own eclipse. According to NASA, lunar eclipses occur during the full moon phase. When the moon and sun are exactly aligned, the earth's shadow falls on the moon's surface, darkening it and sometimes turning it a bright red for a few hours. When the earth positions itself between the full moon and the sun, it results in a partial lunar eclipse. To get all the essential details about this awe-inspiring celestial phenomenon, from dates to timings, continue reading.

Partial lunar eclipse 2023: When, where and how to watch Chandra Grahan (Satyabrata Tripathy/HT Photo)

Partial lunar eclipse 2023: Time and date

According to the Press Information Bureau, while the moon will enter the penumbral phase at midnight on October 28, the umbral phase, where the eclipse becomes more pronounced, will begin in the early hours of October 29. The umbral phase of this lunar eclipse will begin at 1:05 am on October 29 and will end at 2:24 am. The total duration of the eclipse will be 1 hour and 19 minutes, according to the government agency.

Will partial lunar eclipse be visible in India?

According to space.com, this lunar spectacle will be visible from a number of locations. These include Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, North America, North/East South America, the Pacific, the Atlantic, the Indian Ocean, the Arctic and Antarctica. India, in particular, will have a clear view of the moon's gradual darkening around midnight, according to the PIB. The path from which the lunar eclipse can be viewed has been plotted by In-The-Sky.org, with New Delhi in particular offering a southern view of the event. According to In-the-sky, the moon will be 62 degrees above the horizon at the peak of the eclipse.

How to watch partial lunar eclipse?

You don't need any special equipment to view this event; all you need is some knowledge of the timing of the eclipse, a blanket and a comfortable chair. Astrophotographers can use a camera with a telescopic lens to capture the eclipse, and the use of binoculars can enhance the experience. The partial lunar eclipse will be streamed live and for free on the Time and Date YouTube channel, so even if you are not in the path of the eclipse, you can still watch it there. If you miss this partial eclipse, don't worry, the moon will return to the earth's shadow on September 17, 2024, when it will be visible in its entirety across most of Europe and all of North America.