Be ready with your telescope as first lunar eclipse of the year is on cards!

Kolkata: Behold! as the first celestial event of this new year 2020 is all set to make you go crazy with its mesmerizing beauty that will cover the night moon on January 10.

This penumbral lunar eclipse can be seen from all corners of India, including West Bengal. So, all the sky-watchers and astronomical enthusiasts be ready to capture the eclipse that will begin at 10.37 pm on January 10 and will end around 2.42 am on January 11.

The lunar eclipse on Friday will be the first of four penumbral lunar eclipses that will take place this year, Duari said, adding, the other three penumbral lunar eclipses will occur on June 5, July 5 and November 30.

ALSO READ: To all sky gazers 2020 will bring you 6 eclipses, 3 to be visible in India

The penumbral lunar eclipse will also be visible from different countries in Asia, Africa, Australia and Europe, he said.

In a normal lunar eclipse, the moon passes through the central part of the earth's shadow called umbra, and one witnesses considerable darkening of the lunar disc.

But in case of January 10 penumbral lunar eclipse there will be only a slight dimming of the lunar surface, the statement quoted Duari as saying.

"To a naked eye it is sometimes a little difficult to recognise a penumbral lunar eclipse, though it is interesting to see the larger than usual appearance of the moon, and the shifts in shadow during the 4-hour period," the renowned astrophysicist said.

Asked if the event would be clearly visible from Kolkata, Duari said, Skygazers across the state, including Kolkata, will be able to witness the celestial event only if the weather does not play a spoilsport.

ALSO READ: What ‘Fate’ the US flag met that marked human-footprints on Moon?