Lunar eclipse 2019: Schedule and Timings in India; know where and how to watch it

Photo courtesy: Pixabay (Image used for representational purpose)

New Delhi: On July 17, a partial lunar eclipse will be visible in India, other parts of Asia and Europe, Africa, Australia and South America. 

As per a statement released by the Ministry of Earth Sciences, the eclipse will be visible from beginning till the end across India, except the extreme northeastern part of Arunachal Pradesh. The moon will be gradually covered by the earth’s shadow and the maximum partial eclipse will occur at 3:01 am.

Timings and duration of Lunar eclipse: 

The duration of the eclipse is 2 hours 58 minutes. The partial lunar eclipse will begin at 12:13 am on Wednesday, July 17. However, the eclipse will barely be visible at that time. The partial lunar eclipse will start getting visible from 1:31 am.

The eclipse will slowly grow in intensity and will reach its maximum at 3 am. It will end by 5:47 am.

The partial lunar eclipse will be visible from beginning to end from all places of India except extreme from north eastern part of Arunachal Pradesh. The moon will enter penumbra on July 17 at around 12.12 am. Then the Moon will enter umbra at around 1.31 am and the maximum eclipse will be seen at around at 3 am.

How to watch Lunar eclipse 2019: 

Partial lunar eclipses are easy-to-watch with naked eyes. During the last solar eclipse, it was advised to wear protective eye wear so as to protect people's eyes from the bright sunlight. But generally during a lunar eclipse, the moon is not as strong and hence it is safe to look at it without any protective glass.

Lunar eclipses occur on a full moon night when the Sun, Earth and Moon are aligned in a straight line or almost straight line in space. 

In comparison with urban areas, Rural areas have best viewing conditions for a lunar eclipse. They have little or no artificial lights and pollution and hence the view is clear most of the times. 

Use binoculars if you are interested in seeing the Moon's features during the eclipse. 

Besides, some organisations and obervatorties will also hold live streaming so that those who cannot watch it live can still catch it. 

Watch the live streaming of partial lunar eclipse here.

The next total lunar eclipse will be visible on May 26, 2021.