The first lunar eclipse of this year (2023) will occur on Friday, May 5, 2023. There is also Vaishakh Purnima and Buddha Purnima on this day.
This lunar eclipse will start at 8.45 pm and end at 1:02 am.
According to science, a lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon comes between the Sun and the Earth.
On May 5, the penumbral lunar eclipse will be a relatively subtle astronomical event, as the Moon will only pass through the Earth’s penumbral shadow. During a penumbral lunar eclipse, the Moon moves through the faint outer part of the Earth’s shadow, which causes a subtle darkening of the lunar surface. Unlike a total or partial lunar eclipse, the Moon does not appear to change colour during a penumbral eclipse.
According to the scriptures, on this day, Bhagwan Vishnu and his ‘Avtars’ like Shri Ram and Shri Krishna, should also be especially worshipped on Vaishakh Purnima. Along with worship, devotees should do charity, pilgrimage and take a holy bath to find salvation.
What is a Penumbral Lunar Eclipse?
A Lunar Eclipse occurs when the Earth passes between the Sun and the Moon. During a total eclipse, the Earth’s inner shadow, the umbra, falls on the Moon, rendering it blood red.
Where will the lunar eclipse be visible?
This lunar eclipse will be visible in Europe, Asia, Australia, Pacific Atlantic, Indian Ocean and Africa.
While one can look at a Lunar Eclipse directly, the effect of a penumbral eclipse can be barely perceptible, especially to the untrained eye. It is sometimes only visible in carefully-controlled photographs or by people with extremely acute eyesight.
Will it be seen in India too?
People in Asia, Africa, Australia, and most of Europe will be able to witness the lunar eclipse peak at 10:52 pm IST. The penumbral lunar eclipse will be visible to the naked eye and it will begin at 8:45 pm IST on May 5 and will end at 1:02 am IST on May 6.
About 83 per cent of the world’s total population will be able to see a part of it, and about 56 per cent of the people will be able to see the entire eclipse.
