This time the festival of colours, Holi, will coincide with a rare celestial event. Penumbral lunar eclipse will take place on the same day as Holi.
Holi is one of the most auspicious Hindu festivals that is celebrated across India. From Lathmar Holi to Phulo Ki Holi, the festival of colours is celebrated in different states with different traditions. This year, a rare celestial event is also falling on the same day as Holi, i.e, March 25. It will be the first lunar eclipse of the year but it is not just another chandra grahan. This is a penumbral eclipse when the moon moves towards the Earth’s shadow creating a dark sky for a brief time. For astronomers and skygazers, this rare astronomical event is going to be a stunning sight that they would not like to miss.
What is Penumbral Lunar Eclipse?
This is a rare celestial event that happens on a full moon day. It takes place when the sun, Earth and moon line up in a straight line with Earth in the middle. Hence, the Earth’s shadow falls on the moon which leads to darkness in the sky for a brief time period.
Chandra Grahan 2024: Date and time
This year’s first Chandra Grahan will fall on March 25. According to Space.com, the penumbral eclipse will commence from 2:53 am EDT (0453 GMT), the maximum stage of the Eclipse will occur a couple of hours later at 3:12 am EDT (0712 GMT) and the penumbral eclipse will end at 5:32 am EDT (0932 GMT). A skywatcher’s treat this will last for around 4 hours and 39 minutes
Chandra Grahan 2024: Will it Be Visible in India?
The Chandra Grahan colliding with Holi will not be visible in India but will have its effect in America, Antarctica, the Pacific, North and East Asia.
There will be a total of four lunar eclipses with the next one falling on September 18.
