Lunar Eclipse on Raksha Bandhan: Eclipse Begins, But Will Not Be Visible in India

Raksha Bandhan is being celebrated across the country with enthusiasm today on the occasion of Shravan Purnima. The day also marks the year’s final lunar eclipse. According to Indian Standard Time, the lunar eclipse began at 6:55 AM and will continue until 12:30 PM. The eclipse is expected to reach its peak at around 9:43 AM. Today’s lunar eclipse will be a penumbral lunar eclipse. In astronomical terms, a penumbral lunar eclipse occurs when the Sun, Earth and Moon are not completely aligned and the Moon passes through the Earth’s lighter outer shadow instead of its darker central shadow. The eclipse will not be visible from India because the Moon will be below the horizon in the country during the event. Therefore, the lunar eclipse will not be visible in India and will have no impact there. Where Will the Lunar Eclipse Be Visible? The lunar eclipse will primarily be visible from parts of North America, South America, Europe, Africa, the eastern Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean. Several major cities around the world will be able to witness the celestial event. In Europe, these include Vienna, Paris, Rome, Berlin, Prague, Brussels, Madrid and London. The eclipse will also be clearly visible in New York, as well as Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires in South America. In Africa, Johannesburg will be among the locations where the lunar eclipse can be observed clearly.