Total Lunar Eclipse to Grace Skies on March 3, 2026: What to Know

A total lunar eclipse is set for March 3, 2026, visible across India, Eastern Asia, Australia, and the Americas. The IMD has provided timings, with the event beginning at 3:20 PM IST and totality starting at 4:34 PM IST for observers.

A total lunar eclipse will take place across several time zones on Tuesday, March 3, 2026. In this, the Moon moves from right to left, passing through Earth's shadow.

According to the India Meteorological Department, a total lunar eclipse will occur when the whole Moon comes under the umbral shadow of the Earth, and a partial lunar eclipse occurs only when a part of the Moon comes under the shadow of the Earth.

IMD Confirms Event Details and Visibility

India Meteorological Department, in a post on X, mentioned that a total lunar eclipse is set to occur on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, marking a significant astronomical event with a deep magnitude of 1.155. This phenomenon takes place when the entire Moon enters the Earth's umbral shadow, whereas a partial eclipse is limited to only a portion of the Moon being obscured. This particular total eclipse will be visible to observers across India, as well as in Eastern Asia, Australia, and the Americas".

Viewing Experience in India

In the Indian context, the experience will vary by region. Most of the places in India will observe the ending of the lunar eclipse at the time of moonrise, except some places of North-East India and Andaman and Nicobar Islands, where the end of the totality phase of the eclipse will also be visible.

Eclipse Schedule (IST)

According to Indian Standard Time (IST), the celestial event will follow a specific schedule throughout the afternoon and evening. The eclipse is slated to begin at 15:20 (3:20 PM), with the totality phase starting at 16:34 (4:34 PM). The Moon will remain completely within the Earth's shadow until totality ends at 17:33 (5:33 PM), and the entire eclipse cycle will officially conclude at 18:48 (6:48 PM).

The Science of a Total Lunar Eclipse

A total lunar eclipse occurs when the Sun, Earth, and Moon are precisely aligned, and the Moon passes into the shadow of the Earth. During a total lunar eclipse, the Earth comes between the Sun and the Moon and blocks any direct sunlight from reaching the Moon. (ANI)

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