A spectacular total lunar eclipse will take place on the night of March 13-14, coinciding with Holi festival celebrations. The eclipse creates a fascinating scenario, commonly known as the Blood Moon, because the Moon’s surface turns orange-red in color. This occurs due to Rayleigh scattering, which scatters blue and violet wavelengths in the atmosphere, allowing red light to illuminate the Moon and produce the phenomenon.
Skywatchers and astronomers will have an excellent view of the eclipse as it becomes visible across Western Africa, Western Europe, North America, and South America. Some of the best locations for viewing the total lunar eclipse that night include New York City, Los Angeles, and Paris, with Madrid close behind. This astonishing celestial event will last for about 65 minutes. Since the eclipse coincides with a MicroMoon phase, the Moon will appear smaller due to its greater distance from Earth.
Will It Be Visible In India?
The entire lunar eclipse will be visible to the naked eye, allowing anyone in the viewing regions to observe it without special equipment. However, the Blood Moon will not be visible in India, as the eclipse will occur during daylight hours in the country. This rare cosmic alignment with the Holi festival carries special cultural significance, drawing attention from the global astronomical community.
