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Image Credits: Surya and Chandra Grahan
October 2023 is a special time for skywatchers and astronomers alike. For this date, two very special phenomena will be taking place- a Solar Eclipse (Surya Grahan) and a Lunar Eclipse (Chandra Grahan).
At 7:15 AM EDT on October 20th, a Partial Solar Eclipse or Surya Grahan will be visible in North America, South America, and parts of Europe. This eclipse will be annular, which means it will form a ‘ring of fire’ in the sky.
The partial eclipse will last for about 3 hours and 16 minutes, with its maximum occurring at 11:03 AM EDT. During the peak of the eclipse, the Moon will cover up to 90% of the Sun.
At 1:44 PM EDT, a Total Lunar Eclipse (Chandra Grahan) begins and will be visible in parts of North and South America. This eclipse will be total, meaning that when the Moon passes in front of the Sun, the moon will cover it completely.
It will then last for over 4 hours, with its maximum point occurring at 4:24 PM EDT. During this time, the lunar eclipse will be visible all across the Americas.
Though both eclipses will be visible in certain parts of the world, the best place to catch a glimpse of either one is by going to a dark spot away from any light pollution. After all, the phenomenon will be best observed without any other lights pointing towards the sky.
For those who can’t make it, there are websites dedicated to offering streaming live footage of either type of eclipse. With these websites, you can watch the amazing sight of eclipses from the comfort of your home.
October 2023 will be a memorable date for sky-watchers and astronomy lovers alike, so make sure to mark it in your calendars. The spectacular sight of a partial solar eclipse combined with a total lunar eclipse makes it a unique event that many people should see firsthand.