Photographs: Doug Murray/Reuters
Tonight, switch off your TVs and head outside to watch one of the rarest and most breathtaking celestial events of the century.
The longest and darkest total lunar eclipse of the century is all set to wow you with its jaw-dropping splendour.
Click on next to find out when, how and the best way to watch the rare celestial event...
Where will the eclipse be visible from India?
Photographs: Henry Romero/Reuters
The eclipse will be visible all across India, unless the sky is cloudy. The moon will turn into a deep crimson, thanks to the sunlight filtered via the earth's atmosphere.
An unusually long lunar eclipse with the moon immersed deeply inside the umbral (darker) shadow of the earth will occur.
How long will the eclipse last?
Photographs: Tim Wimborne/Reuters
The total phase of this lunar eclipse will last 100 minutes. The last eclipse to exceed this duration had occurred in July 2000.
The next such eclipse will only take place in 2141.
The total lunar eclipse will begin at 00:52:30 IST and end at 02:32:42 IST. While the partial eclipse will begin at 23:52:56 IST and end at 03:32:15 IST.
Will the rest of the world also witness this stunning eclipse?
Photographs: Courtesy: Wikipedia
The eclipse will be visible completely in Africa and Central Asia. It will be visible rising over South America, Western Africa and Europe, and seen setting over Eastern Asia and Australia.
At 11:29 pm on Wednesday, the moon will occult (hide) behind the star 51 Ophiuchi. The star will reappear after 90 minutes at 01:01 am of June 16.
Why does a lunar eclipse occur?
Photographs: Courtesy: Wikipedia
A lunar eclipse occurs when the earth, in the course of its orbit around the sun, comes between the moon and the sun in such a way that the moon is hidden in the shadow cast by the earth.
As the moon moves deeper into the earth's shadow, the moon dons a number of stunning hues including gray, orange and eventually blood red.
Note: UT is Universal Time. Add 2.04 hours to Universal Time (UT) to get Indian Standard Time (IST)
Why does the moon turn blood red?
Photographs: Henry Romero /Reuters
Sun's rays passing through the earth's atmosphere light up the moon, albeit indirectly. The earth's atmosphere dispenses off with the blue coloured light, making red and orange the most prominent colour during a lunar eclipse.
While it is harmful to watch a solar eclipse without special glasses, it is safe to watch a lunar eclipse without any such accessory. So get ready to watch one of the rarest and most beautiful celestial events tonight!
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