Lunar eclipse tonight, visible only if sky is clear

Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium is making elaborate arrangements for the partial lunar eclipse that will be visible from 10.45 pm on Monday.

Their only worry, however, is cloudy sky and expected rainfall. “We are making elaborate arrangements, but the cloudy sky could spoil the show. We are in constant touch with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) for weather updates. We are also telling people to check the sky before heading to the planetarium to see the eclipse, as we do not want them return disappointed,” said Pramod G Galgali, director, Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium.

However, the IMD has forecast cloudy sky with one or two spells of rain or thundershowers for the next two days. “Since the second half of the monsoon period is setting in, there are chances for system formation, monsoon to revive, increase in cloud cover and rainfall,” said an IMD official.

This is the first partial lunar eclipse in the past two years. The last one was in 2015.
Eclipse will begin at 10.52 pm and reach its maximum at 11.50 pm. By 12.48 am, everything will be over. “It is safe to see the eclipse with naked eye. We have made arrangements for telescopes at the planetarium for people to view eclipse better since it is going be a partial one. The tiny portion at the bottom of the moon will only be covered by the earth. So, one needs to watch carefully and for good viewing the sky needs to be clear,” Galgali said.

The next eclipse of the moon will occur on January 31, 2018, which will be a total lunar eclipse and visible from India.