A total lunar eclipse will be visible across India and several other regions on March 3, 2026. This astronomical event is expected to draw significant attention from both amateur and professional astronomers alike.

Event Timing and Details

The eclipse will begin at 15:20 (3:20 PM) IST, with the totality phase commencing at 16:34 (4:34 PM) IST. Observers can expect the totality to end at 17:33 (5:33 PM) IST, and the entire eclipse will conclude at 18:48 (6:48 PM) IST.

During this event, the total lunar eclipse will have a deep magnitude of 1.155, indicating a significant obscuration of the Moon.

Visibility Across Regions

Observers across most parts of India will be able to see the end of the eclipse as the Moon rises. Notably, some areas in North-East India and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands will witness the end of the totality phase.

Understanding Lunar Eclipses

A total lunar eclipse occurs when the Sun, Earth, and Moon are precisely aligned, causing the Earth to block direct sunlight from reaching the Moon as it passes into Earth’s shadow. This alignment results in a dramatic change in the Moon’s appearance, often giving it a reddish hue.

Public Interest and Reactions