India and some other parts of the world will witness a partial lunar eclipse on 16 and 17 July. NASA released a list of all the eclipses till 2100 and this one would be the last lunar eclipse of this year.
The eclipse would be visible in most of the regions of Asia and Europe, Africa, Australia, and South America, apart from India.
The last total lunar eclipse took place on January 21, 2019, and the next one will be visible on May 26, 2021. However, there will be penumbral eclipses till then, though these are not total or partial lunar eclipses.
The lunar eclipse this year is a special coincidence for it is taking place with Guru Purnima on the same day after 149 years.
According to NASA’s note on its website, lunar eclipses only take place at the full moon and a total lunar eclipse is very rare as it can only happen when the Sun, Earth and Moon are perfectly aligned. In case of a partial lunar eclipse, which is taking place on July 16, only a part of the Moon comes under Earth’s shadow.
The eclipse, in India, will last for around two hours and 58 minutes, as per NASA. Starting at 1843 GMT, which is around 12.15 am on July 17 in India, the eclipse will end at 0017 GMT or around 5.30 am in the morning. The maximum eclipse will be at 2130 GMT or nearly 3.00 am India time.
In a partial eclipse, Earth’s shadow appears very dark on the side of the Moon facing Earth, explains NASA on its website. Only a part of Earth’s shadow appears on the Moon and because this is a not a total lunar eclipse, the Moon will not have the blood red effect.
Lunar eclipses are not eye-damaging. Therefore, it is perfectly safe for people to watch it through their naked eyes.