Lunar Eclipse 2023: Chandra Grahan on May 5; Time, place and other details

A lunar eclipse is a natural phenomenon that occurs when the Earth comes between the Sun and the Moon, casting its shadow on the Moon’s surface. There are three types of lunar eclipses- total, partial, and penumbral, each with its unique characteristics. Lunar Eclipse 2023: Chandra Grahan on May 5; Time, place and other details.

The first lunar eclipse of 2023 will be a penumbral eclipse and is set to occur on May 5, coinciding with Buddha Purnima festival in India. The May 5 event is also called a penumbral lunar eclipse as the moon passes through the Earth’s penumbra, the outermost region of its shadow.

It is different from the traditional eclipse in which the moon passes through the Earth’s umbra, the darkest part of its shadow. The lunar eclipse will be seen in the eastern half of Africa, and most of Asia along with Australia and New Zealand.

These cities of the world will see the penumbral eclipse: Johannesburg, Tashkent, Bangkok, Seoul, Cairo, Manila, Philippines, Jakarta, Singapore, Ankara, Dhaka, Yangon, Hanoi, Melbourne, Baghdad, Moscow, Taipei, Tokyo, Beijing, Athens.

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The lunar eclipse of 2023 will be visible in India. The eclipse will be visible in most parts of the country given clear sky conditions. Astronomers have, however, pointed out that we will be unable to see the beginning and end of this eclipse as the Moon enters and leaves the Earth’s penumbra.

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The duration of the penumbral phase of the eclipse will be 4 hours 17 minutes 31 seconds. The lunar eclipse 2023 will begin at 08:44 pm and the Moon will reach the maximum phase of the eclipse at 10:52 pm. The penumbral eclipse will end at 01:01 am on the night of May 5-6.