
Total Lunar Eclipse of 2026 will occur on 3rd March, Tuesday. A lunar eclipse occurs during a full Moon phase. Earth moves directly between the Sun and Moon. Earth’s shadow then falls across lunar surface. India will witness this night sky event. Clear skies will offer the best viewing conditions. Astronomers expect strong public interest nationwide.
India to see the last total Lunar Eclipse until 2029?
India will witness a total lunar eclipse on 03 March 2026, offering skywatchers a brief evening spectacle. Many parts of Eastern Asia and Southeast Asia will see at least the latter stages of the eclipse as the Moon rises during or after totality.
Which Indian Cities will see this night sky event?
North India will see the total lunar eclipse on 3rd March that will begin from 6:02 PM IST to 6:22 PM IST. These cities are:
| Indian Cities (North India) | Timings (IST) | Eclipse Visibility Duration |
| Delhi | 6:22 PM | 25 min |
| Lucknow | 5:55 PM | 51 min |
| Patna | 6:02 PM | 45 min |
Middle India: The total lunar eclipse in these cities will begin from 6:21 PM to 6:40 PM IST.
| Indian Cities (Middle India) | Timings (IST) | Eclipse Visibility Duration |
| Mumbai | 6:21 PM | 26 min |
| Bhopal | 6:40 PM | 7 min (very brief) |
South India will see this eclipse in the evening that will begin from 6:21 PM to 6: 35 PM IST. These cities are:
| Indian Cities (South India) | Timings (IST) | Eclipse Visibility Duration |
| Chennai | 6:21 PM | 25 min |
| Bengaluru | 6:32 PM | 20 min |
| Hyderabad | 6:26 PM | 14 min |
Timing In India to witness Total Lunar Eclipse 2026
On 03 March, India will see limited stages. The Moon will rise already partly eclipsed. In New Delhi and Noida, timing remains exact. Moonrise aligns with the partial phase. The visible period will be short.
The observable stage begins at 18:22 IST. Maximum visibility follows at 18:27 IST. The eclipse ends locally by 18:47 IST. Clear skies will determine viewing success and unobstructed horizons will improve the spectacle.
Total Lunar Eclipse: March 3, 2026A total lunar eclipse will occur when the whole Moon comes under the umbral shadow of the Earth and the partial lunar eclipse occurs only when a part of the Moon comes under shadow of the Earth. •When: Tuesday, March 3, 2026 •Magnitude:… pic.twitter.com/BKXyEKhoAj — India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) March 2, 2026
What Makes the 2026 Lunar Eclipse Different?
Astronomers expect a different visual outcome. The Moon will skim the umbra’s upper edge. Light will pass through higher stratospheric layers. These layers contain less dust contamination. The altered path changes transmitted wavelengths significantly.
Scientists say ozone plays a decisive role. The effect involves Chappuis absorption bands. They are named after James Chappuis. Ozone molecules absorb yellow and red light. This filtering allows blue hues to dominate. A navy or turquoise fringe may appear. The boundary of Earth’s shadow glows differently.
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