One of the longest total lunar eclipses will occur on the night of 15th June and be visible everywhere in India.

The celestial event, the first lunar eclipse this year, will be best visible almost near the zenith, according to Director (Research and Academics), M P Birla planetarium D P Duari.

It can be seen in Kolkata sky from 12:52 am to 2:32 am, making it one of the longest in recent times.

After the totality, the partial eclipse will end around 3:52 am in the early hours of 16th June.

Other than India, it will be visible from the eastern half of Africa, the Middle East, central Asia and western Australia.

Observers throughout Europe will miss the early stages of the eclipse because it will occur before moonrise.

The next lunar eclipse, also to be visible from India, will be a total one on 10th December this year but will last only 25 minutes, Duari said.

He said that on 31st January, 2018, Kolkatans will be able to view another total lunar eclipse.