Mangalore, December 11: Star-gazers across the coastal Karnataka turned their eyes skyward overnight for the spectacular sight of a total lunar eclipse on Saturday evening.
The year's second and last total lunar eclipse started at 6.15 pm and lasted till around 9.50 pm. For 51 minutes starting at IST 7.36 pm to 8.27 pm the Earth's shadow completely blocked the moon.
It was an awe-inspiring sight to see the moon turn a shade somewhere between copper and orange.
An eclipse is of course caused when the moon passes behind the earth, which blocks the sun's rays.
Clear skies over coastal region ensured that stargazers of the city could catch the eclipse without hindrance, as opposed to June's event, which was something of a disappointment due to heavy cloud cover.
Large number of astronomy enthusiasts and sky-gazers had gathered St Agnes College in city and Poornaprajna College in Udupi to have a firsthand experience of the one of the best sky events of this year. Sky-watching arrangements were made at both colleges.
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