Total Lunar Eclipse to Grace Skies on March 3, Limited View for Chennai
Stargazers in Chennai are set for a celestial treat, albeit a brief one, as a total lunar eclipse is scheduled for March 3. According to the India Meteorological Department's positional astronomical centre in Kolkata, residents of the city may only witness the final phase of the eclipse for approximately 31 minutes after sunset.
Eclipse Timing and Visibility Details
The moon will rise in Chennai at 6:17 PM, with the eclipse's umbral phase ending shortly after. The total duration from moonrise to the conclusion of this phase will be 31 minutes. The eclipse will begin at 3:20 PM and totality will end at 5:33 PM, making it partially visible from most locations in India, except some extreme western areas.
Globally, this astronomical event will be observable in regions including eastern Asia, Australia, the Pacific Ocean, and the Americas.
Top Cities for Eclipse Viewing in India
While Chennai has a limited window, other Indian cities will enjoy longer viewing times:
- Cuttack: Maximum duration of 58 minutes after moonrise at 5:50 PM.
- Bhubaneswar and Hazaribagh: 57 minutes each after moonrise at 5:51 PM.
- Gaya: 56 minutes after moonrise at 5:52 PM.
Understanding Lunar Eclipses
A lunar eclipse occurs on a full moon day when the Earth aligns between the Sun and the Moon. Unlike solar eclipses, lunar eclipses can be safely viewed with the naked eye without any special protective equipment.
This event is a total lunar eclipse, meaning the entire Moon passes into the Earth's umbral shadow. The magnitude of this eclipse is 1.155, indicating a deep total eclipse. A magnitude greater than 1.0 signifies that the Moon completely enters the Earth's darkest shadow, resulting in an intense 'blood moon' coloration. The umbral shadow will cover the Moon's diameter by roughly 15.5% more than the minimum required for a total eclipse.
Historical and Future Eclipses
The last total lunar eclipse visible in India occurred on September 7-8, 2025. Looking ahead, the next lunar eclipse visible from India will be a partial one on July 6, 2028, as confirmed by the IMD release.
This upcoming eclipse offers a rare opportunity for astronomy enthusiasts across the country to observe a stunning natural phenomenon, with varying viewing times depending on location.
