Partial lunar eclipse on Oct 28 – When, where and how to watch

• After the solar eclipse earlier this month, a lunar eclipse is scheduled on October 28 .
• This partial eclipse can be seen from most parts of the world.
• The last lunar eclipse (on Nov 8, 2022) was a total eclipse and the next one will occur on September 17, 2024.

Lunar eclipse happens when the sun, earth and the moon align in a straight line. Sky watchers are getting excited about one more lunar eclipse that will occur in the night sky on October 28-29, 2023. Earlier on October 14, 2023, the world witnessed a solar eclipse, which was not visible in India, but was seen from some parts of the western United States and the Pacific Ocean. The upcoming lunar eclipse will be a partial eclipse, meaning only part of the moon will be shadowed during the process.

Time and date of lunar eclipse

On October 28, the moon will enter the penumbral phase around midnight Indian Standard Time (IST). The umbral phase, referring to the peak of the eclipse, will start during the early hours of October 29, 2023. The umbral phase of the lunar eclipse will extend from 1:05 am and 2:24 am on October 29. The partial lunar eclipse will happen over a total duration of 1 hour and 19 minutes.

The lunar eclipse can be watched from several countries including Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, North America, North/East South America, the Pacific, the Atlantic, the Indian Ocean, the Arctic and Antarctica. Sky gazers in India can enjoy clear views of the lunar eclipse. During the time of the eclipse, the moon will be 62 degrees above the horizon.

To be able to watch the upcoming partial lunar eclipse, you will not need any special equipment, though the event can be better captured with a camera with a telescopic lens. A set of binoculars can make the moon watching a comfortable experience for you. The crucial condition necessary to watch the spectacular eclipse is a clear sky, which may be a rare thing to expect during the monsoon season. If you are not lucky enough to watch the lunar eclipse this time, you can wait till September 17, 2024 to witness the next lunar eclipse.

Take away

A lunar eclipse can happen only on a full moon day when the moon, earth and the sun align themselves in a straight line. Since the moon and sun are aligned in a straight line with the earth in between, the earth’s shadow falls on the surface of the moon resulting in an eclipse of the earth’s natural satellite. When the three celestial bodies are not aligned in a perfect straight line, the resulting eclipse will be a partial one and this will be the case of the lunar eclipse on October 28, 2023. With a number of streaming websites and televisions live-broadcasting the event, there are hardly any chances for you to miss the wonderful spectacle.