Kolkata : Sky gazers are all set to witness a celestial event involving the Moon, the Earth and the Sun as the second total lunar eclipse of the year is scheduled to occur Dec 10, said an official of M.P. Birla Planetarium here Tuesday.
“On the evening of Dec 10, it will be the second total lunar eclipse of the year. Starting from 7.35 p.m., there will be a total eclipse of the moon till 8.28 p.m.,” said Debiprosad Duari, director, research and academics, at the planetarium.
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.
“At Kolkata and elsewhere in India, the moon will start getting under the Earth’s shadow around 6.15 p.m. The total eclipse will begin from 7.36 p.m. and will last until 8.28 p.m. The partial eclipse will end around 9.48 p.m.,” he said.
The last lunar eclipse, visible in India, was also a total one in June, but due to monsoon clouds the celestial sight could not be enjoyed by sky gazers.
IANS
