Assam witnesses year’s last lunar eclipse; next total eclipse in 2025

Guwahati: Assam, like several other parts of the country, on Tuesday, witnessed the year’s last lunar eclipse.

According to officials, as the time of the moonrise in the state was later than that of the start of the eclipse, the initial phase of it was not visible here.

At 2.39 PM, the lunar eclipse began, and at 3.36 PM, it reached its totality. However, the moon rose in Guwahati around 4.34 PM, hence the phenomenon was visible only after that here, officials added.

Meanwhile, Guwahati witnessed both the entire eclipse until 5.12 PM and the partial eclipse until 6.19 PM, officials stated.

As per officials, east of Guwahati, such as Dibrugarh and Jorhat, witnessed the eclipse for a longer duration as the moon rose earlier in those parts.

There are no special arrangements were made for viewing the event as a lunar eclipse can be seen without any eye protective gear, the official further added.

However, Guwahati Planetarium curator Babul Bora urged the public not to associate any superstition with eclipses as there is no scientific evidence to back beliefs like eating food during the eclipse period will bring harm.