Skygazers and astronomers are in for a treat on March 14 as the first lunar eclipse of the year will take place. During the event, we will also witness a Blood moon, which gets its name as Earth’s only satellite turns red in colour. It will be visible across parts of Asia, Africa, Australia, South America, Pacific and parts of the United States.
What is a Blood moon?
The celestial event, which coincides with Holi, will see the Moon illuminated in a reddish hue. While it has no special astronomical significance, when the moon is fully in the Earth’s shadow, some light from the planet’s sunrise and sunset falls on the surface of the moon. Since these light waves usually stretch out, they give the moon a deep reddish colour, justifying the name Blood moon.
Where and when can I watch the Blood moon?
The Blood moon will be visible in various parts of the world like North and South America and western parts of Africa and Europe, but those living in India won’t be able to enjoy the celestial event since the eclipse will be taking place during day time.
The full eclipse part of the lunar eclipse will start on March 14 at 11:56 AM IST, with the maximum eclipse visible at 12:28 PM IST. While the full lunar eclipse won’t be visible after 1:01 PM IST, the total eclipse will end at 3:30 PM IST. In case it isn’t visible where you live, you can tune in to the livestream above to get a glimpse of the Blood moon.
How to get the best view of the lunar eclipse?
Unlike solar eclipses, a lunar eclipse is safe to watch with the naked eye. However, to enhance the viewing experience, one should ideally watch it from a darker area that has lesser light pollution. You should also ensure that the skies are clear and if possible, view the face of the moon using a pair of binoculars or a telescope.
To get a good picture of the Blood moon during the Lunar Eclipse, use a tripod if possible or position your phone on a stable surface since even small movements and shakes are often enough to make a phoro blurry.
If your smartphone has a telephoto lens, try using it over digital zoom as it lets you get the best quality available without losing out on details. Last but not least, when focusing on the moon, try tapping the edge as it will help your phone’s camera capture a clearer picture.
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