Lunar Eclipse 2023: When and where to watch the Hunter Moon eclipse tonight

When and at what time is the partial solar eclipse?

The lunar eclipse will happen between 1.06 AM IST and 2.23 AM IST on October 29, according to astronomy guide In the Sky. The time of the maximum eclipse will be at 1.45 AM IST when 12 per cent of the Moon will be covered by Earth’s umbra, the dark part of the planet’s shadow.

How to view the partial lunar eclipse

When viewed from New Delhi, the full Moon will be in the southwestern part of the sky at the time of the eclipse. Also, it will be about 62 degrees above the horizon at the time of greatest eclipse. You can also view it through our live stream and live updates link below.

Read now | Lunar Eclipse 2023 live updates: The Hunter’s Moon to go through partial eclipse

How does a lunar eclipse happen? What is the difference between a partial and a total lunar eclipse?

A lunar eclipse happens when the Sun, the Earth and the Moon align, causing the shadow of the Earth to fall on the Moon. A partial eclipse happens when the three celestial bodies align imperfectly, while a total eclipse happens when they all align perfectly.

Lunar Eclipse 2022: This combination of photos shows the moon in various stages of a total lunar eclipse during the first blood moon of the year in Temple City, Calif. May 15, 2022. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)

In the case of a partial lunar eclipse, like the one tonight, part of the Moon’s disk will get darkened under a shadow. The size of the shadow will keep increasing as the eclipse progresses until it reaches its peak. (Maximum eclipse) At that point, the eclipse will start receding until a normal full Moon returns.

If it were a total lunar eclipse, the peak of the eclipse would see the Earth’s umbra covering the whole Moon. At this point, the Moon might appear a distinct reddish colour, also known as a blood Moon.