A super-celestial event as a total Lunar Eclipse is all set to occur on May 26, 2021. Due to the reddish tinge that the Full Moon takes on when fully eclipsed, the total lunar eclipse is sometimes called a Blood Moon. This is the first total Lunar Eclipse taking place in over two years. The last time a total lunar eclipse took place was in January 21, 2019. A total lunar eclipse takes place when the Earth comes between the sun and the moon, blocks the sun%u2019s rays from directly reaching the satellite.
Also read: Pacific readies for ‘Super Blood Moon’ celestial show
Is there a live stream for the Lunar eclipse?
Though the entire lunar eclipse will not be visible in India, we can still watch the event. Various YouTube channels are set to stream live footage of the total lunar eclipse and have already set up a countdown to the event. This year%u2019s first total eclipse will start at 2:17 pm as per Indian Standard Timing (IST) and be visible until 7:19 pm. The Dateandtime website has also set up a live stream for an equivalent. The eclipse%u2019s total duration is three hours and the total phase when the Moon gets completely blocked will be around 15 minutes.
Also read: Lunar eclipse on May 26 to be visible from these parts of India
Where all the lunar eclipse be visible?
The lunar eclipse will be visible in East Asia, Australia, the Pacific, and America. It will also be visible from some parts of the Pacific, the Atlantic, and the Indian ocean. Those in eastern Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands, including Hawaii are the lucky ones as they will be able to witness both the total and the partial eclipse.
According to NASA%u2019s website, the entire eclipse will be visible near moonset timing in the western continental United States, Canada, Mexico, most of Central America and Ecuador, western Peru, southern Chile, and Argentina. Along the Asian Pacific Rim, the total eclipse will be visible just after moonrise, states the space agency.
In India, the total eclipse will not be visible. Only the partial eclipse, %u201Cwhich takes place as the Moon moves into and out of Earth%u2019s shadow%u201D will be visible in parts of Eastern India, Nepal, western China, Mongolia, and eastern Russia.
Also read: Know all about supermoon that will be seen on May 26
Why is this Lunar eclipse a %u2018Blood Moon%u2019 and a %u2018Super Moon%u2019?
This is a Super Blood Moon, where the moon appears reddish-orange and big as well. It is big because this is a full moon and the satellite is closest to Earth. However, NASA also says that not all Supermoons are Blood moons or red in appearance, because an eclipse is not taking place at the same time in all cases. But this one is different.
According to NASA%u2019s page on the Blood Moon of May 26, %u201Csunlight bends and scatters as it passes through Earth%u2019s atmosphere,%u201D and during a lunar eclipse, this filtered sunlight makes its way through the Earth%u2019s atmosphere, and does reach the lunar surface.
%u201CThe eclipsed Moon is dimly illuminated by red-orange light leftover from all of the sunsets and sunrises occurring around the world at that time. The more dust or clouds in Earth%u2019s atmosphere during the eclipse, the redder the Moon will appear,%u201D explains the page.
