On 31 January 2018, a rare lunar trilogy will occur. A Supermoon, Blue moon and a lunar eclipse will occur simultaneously.
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This lunar event is significant since it is happening after 150 years. An event similar to this once occurred in 1866.
What are timings of the lunar eclipse in India?
In India, the eclipse will commence at 5:18 pm.
The duration of the total lunar eclipse will be 76 minutes and it would start at 6.21 pm
It will be visible till 7.37 pm.
The partial eclipse will end at 8:41 pm. The duration of the total eclipse will be 1 hour 16 minutes.
When will be the next lunar eclipse?
After today, the total lunar eclipses will be on December 31, 2028, and, after that, on January 31, 2037.
The moon rotates in an elliptical orbit around the Earth. When it comes partially in the shadow of the Earth, it is known as the penumbral phase. Soon when it comes completely in the shadow of the Earth it is known as the umbral phase. When the moon comes in the shadow of the Earth it is called a lunar eclipse.
Lastly, when the sun, moon, and the earth come in a straight line, it is known as full moon. Now, when two full moons happen in a gap of one month, it is known as Blue Moon.
In 2018, one full moon had occurred on 1 January and the next is slotted to be on 31 January. Hence, on 31 January, along with the lunar eclipse, Supermoon, a Blue moon will also occur.
Since the lunar event is expected to happen during the evening, the moon will not go into complete darkness, rather the light will be scattered and may appear reddish. The name Blood Moon is thus prominent, for the way the moon will look on 31 January.