Eerie 82-Minute Blood Moon Total Lunar Eclipse on Sunday Night: Timings and Where to Watch in India

Skywatchers are in for a spectacular treat this weekend as a total lunar eclipse, popularly called a Blood Moon or Chandra Grahan, will be visible on the night of September 7-8. This will be the longest total lunar eclipse since 2022, with the total phase lasting about 1 hour and 22 minutes (82 minutes). During this time, the Moon will take on a striking deep red hue, often called the Blood Moon effect.

The eclipse will turn the Moon into a glowing red-orange ball as the Earth passes directly between the Sun and the Moon. This natural alignment will create one of the most stunning celestial events of the decade.

Why the Moon Turns Red

The striking colour change, known as the Blood Moon effect, happens due to Rayleigh scattering. When sunlight travels through Earth's atmosphere, blue light scatters away, while red light bends and falls on the Moon, giving it a fiery glow.

Who Can See the Eclipse?

According to astronomers, the eclipse will be fully visible across most of Asia, including all of India, as well as in Western Australia. Partial stages will be visible in Europe, Africa, Eastern Australia, and New Zealand.

In India, nearly every region will witness the Blood Moon:

North: Delhi, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Lucknow

West: Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Pune

South: Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kochi

East: Kolkata, Bhubaneswar, Guwahati

Central: Bhopal, Nagpur, Raipur

Experts recommend watching from open spaces, terraces, or parks away from bright city lights.

Eclipse Timings in India (IST)

• Eclipse begins: 8:58 PM, September 7
• Totality (Blood Moon phase): 11:00 PM - 12:22 AM
• Eclipse ends: 2:25 AM, September 8

The total phase will last for 82 minutes, making it one of the longest total lunar eclipses in recent years.

How to Watch and Photograph

Use binoculars or telescopes for a closer look at the lunar surface.

Apps like Stellarium or SkySafari can help track the Moon.

For photography:

Use a tripod

Exposure: 1-2 seconds

ISO: 400-800

Switch to manual focus

Time-lapse shots are best for capturing the Moon's gradual colour change.

A Rare Celestial Show

Astronomers say this will be one of the most widely visible Blood Moon eclipses in recent memory, with nearly 85% of the world's population able to witness at least some stage of the phenomenon, weather permitting.

So, grab your cameras, find a clear sky, and don't miss this once-in-a-decade lunar spectacle.