The century’s longest lunar eclipse/Chandra grahan takes place tonight i.e. 27th July, 2018 and India will be able to witness the entire event. Every moon lover awaits this beautiful night where the moon will appear blood red and it is one sight no one should miss. 

What is a blood moon?

The Moon turns ‘blood red’ colour due to scattering of sunlight. The Earth blocks sunlight from reaching the Moon, but some indirect sunlight still manages to reach the satellite. But because it passes through Earth’s atmosphere, only the red light, which has a longer wavelength and can travel longer distance is allowed to pass. Blood moon refers to the brightest shade of red, that the Moon will reflect at the height of the lunar eclipse. However, during volcanic eruptions, the Moon can take on a darker shade of red, and can appear very dark.

When will India witness this event tonight?

The period of complete eclipse -- known as "totality", is the time when the moon appears darkest. In India, the moon will appear reddish to deep red during 1 am to 2:43 am during the period of "totality" that begins on 28 July. (July 27 late night). India will see total lunar eclipse that would begin on 10:44 pm on July 27 and will end on 4:58 am on July 28. During 1 am to 2:43 am, the eclipse would be maximum and would appear red in colour.

What is the significance of this eclipse?

For starters, this is the longest eclipse in the century at 1 hour, 43 minutes. Second, according to NASA’s lunar eclipse timetable, India will not get to witness another event like this till September 2025 and that is a long wait. The total lunar eclipse matters because this is also when we get to see a Blood Moon rise in the sky.

Do you need to take any precautions?

No, you don’t need any kind of external or help of any objects, you can watch the blood moon with naked eyes. It is totally safe said by the doctors. 

So, set your alarms for tonight, make sure you get all your friends and family to watch the Blood Moon together and enjoy this event, as it won’t be happening anytime soon!