Chandra Grahan 2026: When did we first see Lunar Eclipse? These 5 facts will blow your mind!

The first lunar eclipse of 2026 began today at 3:21 PM and will last until 6:47 PM. But did you know when humans first saw a Chandra Grahan? Come on, let's check out 5 mind-blowing facts...

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First recorded lunar eclipse in history

So, when did people first see a lunar eclipse? The earliest record comes from a book, 'Zhou Shu', found in a tomb from China's Zhou dynasty. This book says that humans first noted a lunar eclipse on January 29, 1137 BC. That's over 3,158 years ago!

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Why the moon turns red during a lunar eclipse

Ever wondered why the moon looks red during an eclipse? It's because the moon is in Earth's shadow. Sunlight passes through our atmosphere and splits into 7 colours. Red light doesn't scatter much and hits the moon, reflecting straight to our eyes. That's why we call it a 'Blood Moon'.

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Frequency of lunar eclipses

According to NASA, a lunar eclipse usually happens twice a year, but sometimes even three times. Data from centuries shows that only about 29% of these are total eclipses. You can see a total lunar eclipse from the same spot every 2.5 years. The whole show lasts for about 30 minutes to an hour, making it a super special experience.

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Lunar eclipse helped measure Earth's size

A lunar eclipse isn't just pretty to look at; it has also helped in major scientific discoveries. About 2,100 years ago, Greek scientists used the eclipse to measure Earth's diameter and figure out just how big our planet is.

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Lunar eclipse helped measure Earth-Moon distance

Back in 400 BC, a Greek scientist named Aristarchus figured out the distance between the Earth and the Moon just by observing a lunar eclipse. Years later, Claudius Ptolemy used this very data to create the world's oldest map, known today as the Ptolemy World Map.