Skywatchers are anticipating a captivating celestial event in early September. The total lunar eclipse, often referred to as a ‘blood moon,’ will be visible across a vast expanse, including Asia, Africa, the Americas, Europe, and Oceania. Unlike many lunar eclipses that are limited to certain regions, this one promises visibility for over 7 billion people globally.
The lunar eclipse is scheduled to begin at 9:57 pm on September 7th, Indian Standard Time (IST), and will conclude at 1:26 am on September 8th. The period of totality, when the Moon will be completely within Earth’s shadow, will span from 11:42 pm to 12:47 am. During this phase, the Moon will exhibit a reddish hue, a phenomenon observable for approximately 65 minutes.
A total lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth positions itself directly between the Sun and the Moon. This alignment casts Earth’s darkest shadow (umbra) onto the lunar surface. Sunlight, as it passes through Earth’s atmosphere, is filtered, with blue light being scattered away, leaving the red-orange wavelengths to illuminate the Moon. The most visually striking aspect of the eclipse is the Moon’s transformation into a crimson color during totality.
In India, the eclipse will be clearly observable in 15 cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, Lucknow, Jaipur, Chandigarh, Ahmedabad, Guwahati, Patna, Bhopal, and Bhubaneswar. However, the clarity of the viewing experience may be affected by local weather conditions.
For cities in eastern India, such as Kolkata and Guwahati, the commencement of the eclipse will be readily apparent due to the earlier moonrise. In contrast, western cities like Mumbai and Ahmedabad will also witness the eclipse, but the moonrise will occur later.
According to Hindu beliefs, the Sutak Kaal, a period of impurity, will commence nine hours before the eclipse. Temples will remain closed during this time. This implies that the Sutak Kaal will begin at 12:57 pm on September 7th and continue until the eclipse concludes on September 8th at 1:26 am. Many individuals in India refrain from cooking, eating, and performing auspicious activities during this period. Temple doors will be reopened on the morning of September 8th, after purification rituals following the eclipse.
