A celestial phenomenon will unfold before the eyes of sky gazers this weekend when this year's first lunar eclipse will be visible from several parts of the world.
The entire Southern hemisphere while some parts of North America will get a chance to visualize this eclipse. People in India will not be able to watch this event on May 15 and 16.
The year 2022 will have a total of two full lunar eclipses, the first one on May 16, while the second one is due to take place on November 8, 2022.
Those interested to watch the lunar eclipse can do so by visiting the official website of NASA. The American space agency will also be live streaming the event on its social media platforms and YouTube channel.
As per NASA, total lunar eclipses occur when the whole moon passes through the innermost part of Earth's shadow called the umbra. During such periods, Earth blocks all sunlight from reaching the lunar surface directly. Instead, light from the sun gets scattered by the earth's atmosphere is reflected off the moon's surface, which gives it the characteristic reddish copper colour and hence the name 'Blood Moon'.
The partial phase of the moon eclipse will begin on (0228 GMT on May 16) before peaking on May 16 at (0411 GMT). The event will end at 1:55 a.m. (0555 GMT).
According to Indian Standard Time, the eclipse will begin at 7:02 am on May 16 and its partial phase beginning at 7:57 am. Its totality phase will commence at 8:59 am and at 10:23 am. The eclipse will end at 12:20 pm.
From astrological perspective, this lunar eclipse is happening in Scorpio sign due to which, the people of Scorpio zodiac may have some mental tension. As far big planets are concerned, Dev Guru Jupiter will be in Pisces and Saturn will be in Aquarius. Sutak (inauspicious) period will not be valid this eclipse in India.