A lunar eclipse can occur only the night of a full moon because it takes place only when the Earth, sun and moon are very closely or exactly aligned with the Earth in the middle, which is called syzyg (Photo : Reuters)
The Earth, the moon and the sun will be in a perfect alignment this Saturday resulting to a lunar eclipse of this century.
According to CNN, this astronomical wonder will start at 3:16 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time, when the moon will begin to cast its shadow on the Earth. The event will continue for the next hour and 45 minutes and will run until 4:58 p.m. This is also being called as the Red Moon or the Bloody Moon as the moon will appear totally red during the time of total lunar eclipse.
The total lunar eclipse will last for 4 minutes and 43 seconds, to be exact. According to NASA, it is the shortest lunar eclipse in the history.
Los Angeles Times reported that everyone across the globe will not be able to witness this celestial event. The people who love in West North America will get the best view of the Red Moon. Those who fall towards the west of the Mississippi River will have the best view of the eclipse. Only places in South America, China, India and Russia will be able see the eclipse, and the people who live in Greenland, Europe, Iceland, Africa or the Middle East will not be able to witness it, unfortunately.
There is one more extraordinary thing related to this lunar eclipse according to NASA. Lunar eclipse occur only twice in a year but this lunar eclipse in the third one to take place in one year. Apr. 15, 2014 and Sep. 28, 2014 were when the previous lunar eclipses were observed.
