Sky watchers of Bengal will be in for a treat today as the city joins the list of places where a rare total lunar eclipse, also called the Blood Moon or Chandra Grahan, will be visible. The celestial spectacle will light up the sky on Tuesday, March 3, turning the Moon a fiery red hue as it passes through the Earth’s shadow.
Chandra Grahan 2026: Start and End Time, Duration
This time Chandra Grahan will stretch up to 5 hours 39 minutes. This duration refers to the period between the beginning and the end of all phases of the eclipse. The total length will be 58 minutes, partial stages 2 hours 29 minutes and penumbra stages 2 hours 12 minutes.
Timing of eclipse in Bengaluru
The eclipse will begin to form from 18:28.
Beginning of the partial lunar eclipse: 18:28
Maximum in Bengaluru: 6:30 PM
Penumbral eclipse ends: 7:53 p.m
Duration: 1 hour 25 minutes
Tips for viewing the total lunar eclipse
According to a Space.com report, lunar eclipses, unlike solar eclipses, are completely safe to view with the naked eye. Sky watchers are advised to choose a spot with a clear and unobstructed view of the eastern horizon for the best experience. Using binoculars or small binoculars can improve the view even more.
Tips for photographing the Blood Moon
1. Use a DSLR or Mirrorless Camera: A telephoto lens (200-600mm) works best.
2. Adjust the exposure: Increase the ISO (400-1600) and slow down the shutter speed (1-2 seconds).
3. Steady setup: Use a tripod to prevent blur.
Everything you need to know about the total lunar eclipse
A total lunar eclipse is a cosmic event that occurs when the Earth, Moon, and Sun line up on a full moon night. During a total lunar eclipse, people on the night side of Earth can observe the Earth’s umbral shadow falling on the Moon.
Much of this astronomical event will be visible in the northeastern states – Assam, Tripura, Nagaland, Manipur, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, West Bengal and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands – as the Moon rises earlier in these areas.
