Total Lunar Eclipse to Occur On 10th of December

"On the evening of Dec 10, it will be the second total lunar eclipse of the year. Starting from 7.35 pm, there will be a total eclipse of the moon till 8.28 pm," said Debiprosad Duari, director, research and academics, at the planetarium. 

But for India, this total lunar eclipse would be special as Indian population won’t be able to view it again for next seven years.

Dr. DP Duari, Director of Research and Academics at the MP Birla Planetarium, noted, “For observers in India, on December 10, the Moon will start falling under the Earth's shadow at around 6.15 p. m. The next total lunar eclipse, visible in its entirety from India will only be after another seven years in 2018”.

The total eclipse will last for a period of approximately one hour that is from at 7:36 p. m. to 8:28 p. m. on the 15th of June as well, total lunar eclipse did occur. However, Indian population was not able to witness it because of cloudy weather.

A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth's shadow falls on the Moon. This can only happen on a full moon night when the Sun is on one side of the Earth and the Moon just on the opposite side. If these three celestial bodies get aligned in straight line on a single plane, a lunar eclipse occurs, Duari said in a statement. 

It is expected that on 10th of December the view of eclipse would be clearer. Usually a lunar eclipse occurs when the sun is on one side of the earth and the moon on the opposite side. The moment when they align lunar eclipse occurs.

This time, the eclipse will be visible in Asia and Australia. The view would be interesting as Moon will noticeably darken and flare different colors as the Earth blocks the Sun's rays, refracting light through its own atmosphere and coloring the Moon much like the horizon during a sunrise or sunset - a phenomenon known as Rayleigh scattering.

Lunar eclipse is interesting views which captures the mind and heart of viewers. Every year, a large number of foreigners travel from country to country to capture the beauty of eclipse. This year, as the eclipse would be visible to half of the world, it is expected that large number of foreigners will visits Asian countries.