Total lunar eclipse visible in the United States and Canada. PHOTO: Pexels
The Climatic Data Processing Center of the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Thursday confirmed that a total lunar eclipse will be visible in Pakistan on March 3.
According to a press release issued by the PMD, the eclipse will be widely visible in Eastern Europe, Asia, Australia, North and South America, and parts of the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian oceans, as well as the Arctic and Antarctica. However, in Pakistan, the eclipse will be partially visible when the moon rises.
The eclipse will follow a detailed timeline in Pakistan Standard Time (PST). The penumbral eclipse will begin at 1:44 p.m. PST, followed by the partial eclipse starting at 2:50 p.m. PST. The total eclipse will begin at 16:05 PST and peak at 16:34 PST.
The total eclipse phase will end at 17:03 PST and the partial eclipse will end at 18:17 PST. Finally, the penumbral eclipse will end at 7:23 p.m. PST.
Sky watchers in Pakistan are encouraged to look towards the horizon at moonrise for a chance to witness this rare celestial event.
What is the lunar eclipse?
A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth passes between the Sun and the Moon, causing the Earth’s shadow to fall on the Moon. This celestial event can only occur during a full moon when the Sun, Earth, and Moon are aligned in a straight line.
There are three main types of lunar eclipses: total, partial and penumbral. In a total lunar eclipse, the entire Moon passes through the Earth’s umbra (the darkest part of its shadow), causing the Moon to take on a reddish hue, often called a “blood moon.”
Read more: Rare ‘blood moon’ eclipse will dazzle Pakistan
In a partial lunar eclipse, only part of the Moon enters the Earth’s umbra, while the rest remains in the lighter shadow (penumbra).
A penumbral lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes through the Earth’s penumbra, causing subtle shadowing on the Moon’s surface.
Lunar eclipses can be safely observed with the naked eye and are spectacular astronomical events that have been observed and studied for centuries.
