Lunar Eclipse 2026: Check Date, Time, India Visibility, Worldwide View and Dos & Don’ts

Lunar Eclipse 2026: The first total lunar eclipse of 2026 will take place on March 3, which Indians refer to as Chandra Grahan. The upcoming celestial event will take place after the February solar eclipse, and it will be visible in various regions across the globe. Unlike solar eclipses, lunar eclipses are completely safe to watch with the naked eye, making them a favourite among casual skywatchers and astronomy enthusiasts alike.

Lunar Eclipse 2026 Date

The first lunar eclipse of 2026 will take place on Tuesday, March 3, and it will be a total lunar eclipse.
A second lunar eclipse, which will be partial in nature, is scheduled later in the year on August 28, 2026.

Lunar Eclipse 2026 Time

• The penumbral phase of the eclipse starts at 08:44 according to UTC, and the partial phase starts at 09:50. The total eclipse starts at 11:04 and ends at 12:02, while the peak eclipse occurs at 11:34, and the entire event concludes at 15:38.
• The eclipse will be visible in India at 6:26 PM during moonrise according to Indian Standard Time. The maximum visible phase will occur between 6:33 PM and 6:40 PM, which will end at 6:46 PM.

Lunar Eclipse 2026: Visible from India?

Yes. The lunar eclipse will be partially visible in India, mainly during the ending phases at moonrise, as totality occurs earlier.

Lunar Eclipse 2026: Visible Worldwide?

The eclipse will be visible across Eastern Europe, Asia, Australia, North and South America, and over the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans, as well as the Arctic and Antarctic regions, depending on night-time visibility.

Lunar Eclipse 2026: Who Can See?

The best views will be from northeast Asia, northwestern North America, and the central Pacific. The eclipse will be visible to observers in India and Australia at moonrise, while observers in the Americas will see it at moonset.

Lunar Eclipse 2026: Dos & Don’ts

• Do: Watch with the naked eye or binoculars, no filters needed. The observers must follow Sutak timings while they observe traditional customs.
• Don’t: Ignore weather conditions, as clear skies are essential. Traditional food restrictions are cultural, not scientific.

The March 3, 2026, lunar eclipse offers a safe, stunning skywatching experience for India and much of the world.