Penumbral lunar eclipse to take place in India tonight

It will be the first of four penumbral lunar eclipses in 2020.

This year four lunar eclipses will occur--on January 10, June 5, July 5 and November 30.

According to M. P. Birla Planetarium, Kolkata Director Debiprasad Duari, In India, the penumbral lunar eclipse will begin at 10.37 p.m. on January 10 and will end
around 2.42 a.m. on January 11.”

“The greatest eclipse when about 90% of the moon will be covered by the partial shadow region of the Earth will be at 00:41 a.m. The eclipse will hence last for a
little more than 4 hours,” he said.

The penumbral lunar eclipse will not be very distinguishable from a full moon and if clouds remain clear it can be seen from all parts of the country with naked
eyes.

No special equipment would be needed to watch the penumbral lunar eclipse.

Apart from India, countries across Asia, Europe and Africa will be able to see the eclipse. Not only these countries, but even Australia will be able to see the eclipse.
However, the US will not get to witness the year’s first lunar eclipse.

There are three types of lunar eclipse — total, partial and penumbral. This time, it is going to be a penumbral lunar eclipse.

A penumbral lunar eclipse happens when the Sun, Earth and the Moon are imperfectly aligned. In this case, the Earth blocks some of the Sun’s light from
directly reaching the Moon’s surface and covers all or part of the Moon with the outer part of its shadow, which is also called the penumbra. It appears more of
a ‘grey moon’ and often known as the ‘Wolf Moon’ eclipse.

As per the religious beliefs, many people in India don't worship or visit the temple during this time. Cooking and consuming food during the time of the
lunar eclipse is also prohibited.