Join us at ARIES to witness the Lunar Eclipse of March 3, 2026. Watch an eclipsed Moon rise at 06:11 pm.

A Total Lunar Eclipse is occurring on 3 March, 2026. As per Indian Standard Time (IST), it begins at 02:14:25 pm and ends at 07:53:06 pm. The entire duration of the eclipse will be visible mainly over Pacific Ocean, East Asian region such as Japan, Fiji, western North America, New Zealand, Australia etc. Some East Asian countries will miss the initial penumbral phase but will be able to observe the partial as well as total umbral phase.

In India, only the North East states and Andaman & Nicobar Islands will get to observe the last few minutes of the totality after the Moon rises. For most of India, including Uttarakhand, the total phase will get over before the moonrise. In Nainital, a partially eclipsed Moon with just about half the Moon inside the umbra (darker shadow of the Earth) will rise at 06:11:41 pm. The Moon will exit the Umbra at 06:47 pm ending the partial phase. The penumbral phase (not visible to naked eyes) ends at 07:53 pm.

ARIES will start its live stream 5:30 pm onward with an explanation of how a Lunar Eclipse occurs, followed by the live streaming of the eclipse. Please click here to go to our YouTube Channel or scan the QR code in the flyer below. 

If you are in Nainital then you are welcome to join us at our science centre 6:00 pm onward to see the eclipse in person. Please click here for its location on map.

Though it is a Total Lunar Eclipse, the total phase will end before the Moon rises in Nainital. Only the extreme eastern regions of India will get to see the last stages of the totality, just after the moonrise. From the rest of India, including Uttarakhand, it will be visible only as a Partial Lunar Eclipse.

Unlike solar eclipses which require special protective filters, lunar eclipses are perfectly safe to observe with naked eyes, telescopes or binocular. Eclipses are natural celestial phenomena. It is perfectly safe to eat, drink, cook or go outside during an eclipse.