People in India, North America, East Asia, Australia and parts of South America can look forward to a rare sight on March 3. A total lunar eclipse, also known as the Chandra Grahan or ‘Blood Moon’, is set to take over the skies. During this extraordinary event, the Earth lines up perfectly between the Sun and the Moon, casting a shadow that transforms the lunar surface into a stunning red-orange display. Almost 40% of the world’s population will be able to witness at least part of the lunar eclipse.
Unlike a solar eclipse, this lunar eclipse can be safely enjoyed with the naked eye and requires no special protective equipment.
What time does the March 3rd lunar eclipse start in the US?
Phases of the lunar eclipse, according to USA Today:
3:44 a.m. ET – Penumbral eclipse begins; The Moon enters the Earth’s outer shadow
4:50 a.m. ET – Partial eclipse begins; a “bite” appears on the moon.
6:04 a.m. ET – Totality Begins; The moon will turn dark red or orange
7:03 a.m. ET – Totality ends
8:17 a.m. ET – The partial eclipse ends
9:23 a.m. ET – The eclipse is over
What are the timings of the lunar eclipse in India?
Chandra Grahan will start on Tuesday afternoon at 3:20 PM. The phase of totality will start at 16:34 and end at 17:33. According to IMD, the eclipse will end at 6:48 pm in the evening.
“Most places in India will observe the end of the lunar eclipse at the time of moonrise, except some places in northeast India and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands where the end of the total phase of the eclipse will also be visible,” the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said in a post on X.
In cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Kolkata, the partial lunar eclipse will be visible between 5:38 PM and 7:53 PM, depending on the time and date.
Lunar eclipses are among the easiest astronomical events to observe, as all one needs is a clear sky and the naked eye. Binoculars or binoculars can be used for a better viewing experience.
