Stargazers across India are preparing their telescopes and clearing their schedules for the first major celestial event of the year. The total lunar eclipse occurring on March 3, 2026, is set to be a spectacular sight, but whether you can see it depends entirely on your coordinates.
As the Earth slides between the Sun and the Moon, it casts a deep, rusty shadow that transforms our satellite into a brilliant crimson orb.
WHY DOES THE MOON TURN RED DURING TOTALITY?
The phenomenon of the Moon turning red during a total lunar eclipse is often called a Blood Moon. Even when the Earth completely blocks direct sunlight, some light reaches the lunar surface.
The atmosphere of the Earth filters out shorter blue wavelengths and allows longer red wavelengths to pass through and bend towards the Moon.
If you were standing on the lunar surface during this time, you would see every sunrise and sunset on Earth happening simultaneously in a glowing ring.
Imagine standing on the Moon and looking at Earth, which is perfectly blocking the Sun like a giant, dark ball. Around this dark Earth, you will see a thin, glowing ring of red light because our atmosphere bends the sunlight from every single sunrise and sunset around the planet and focuses it towards you.
WILL THE LUNAR ECLIPSE BE VISIBLE IN INDIA?
The short answer is yes, but with a significant catch. While the total phase of the eclipse will be visible in its entirety over parts of the Americas and Western Europe, observers in India will only witness the concluding stages.
By the time the Moon rises over the Indian horizon on the evening of March 3, it will already be emerging from the deepest part of the shadow of the Earth.
For those tracking the celestial spectacle in India, the Moon will rise during the penumbral phase.
The penumbral phase occurs when the Moon passes through the outer, lighter part of the shadow of the Earth, resulting in a subtle shading where the lunar surface appears slightly dimmed rather than completely dark or red.
In New Delhi, the Moon rises at 18:18 IST, while in Mumbai, the moonrise occurs slightly later at 18:38 IST.
At these times, the Moon will appear slightly darker than usual but will have already finished the totality phase. The eclipse officially ends at 21:23 IST, giving enthusiasts a few hours to observe the subtle shading as the Moon regains its full silver glow.
HOW CAN YOU BEST OBSERVE THE EVENT?
Unlike solar eclipses, a lunar eclipse is 100 per cent safe to view with the naked eye. You do not need special filters or glasses. To get the best view in India, find a spot with an unobstructed view of the eastern horizon.
While the dramatic red totality happens before the Moon rises for us, the exit from the shadow remains a poetic sight for any cinephile or nature lover.
