Total lunar eclipse on March 3 to be visible across India with totality from 4.34 pm to 5.33 pm
New Delhi: A total lunar eclipse will occur on Tuesday, March 3, 2026 which will begin at 3.20pm IST and end at 6.48pm IST, according to a notification published by the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
According to The Hindu, the eclipse will be visible from most parts of India. It's totality will occur between 4.34 and 5.33 p.m. IST, when the Moon is entirely immersed in the Earth's deepest shadow.
A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth passes directly between the Sun and the Moon during a full moon. It casts its shadow on the lunar surface. During totality, the Moon appears red due to a phenomenon known as Rayleigh scattering. During this phenomenon shorter wavelengths of light are scattered more strongly by the Earth’s atmosphere, allowing the longer red wavelengths to reach and illuminate the Moon.
According to the India Meteorological Department, most of the country will view the eclipse's last phase at moonrise. However, in areas of the Northeast and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the end of the complete phase will be evident. Cities include Chennai and Kanniyakumari are anticipated to see the eclipse for up to 31 minutes.
There are three distinct forms of lunar eclipses. During a total lunar eclipse, the Moon enters the Earth's umbra and may seem scarlet. A partial eclipse happens when a section of the Moon passes through the Earth's darkest shadow. A penumbral eclipse happens when the Moon crosses into the Earth's feeble outer shadow, resulting in a slight reducing that is occasionally difficult to see with the human eye.
The last lunar eclipse visible from India occurred on September 7-8, 2025, and it was also a total eclipse. The next partial lunar eclipse viewable from India will occur on July 6-7, 2028, with the next total lunar eclipse set for December 31, 2028.
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Karnataka govt ready to assist stranded students amid Iran–Israel conflict: Minister Parameshwara
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Sunday said the state government was closely monitoring the situation arising out of the ongoing armed conflict between Israel and Iran and was prepared to extend all necessary assistance to stranded people, especially students from Karnataka.
He said reports had been received that several students from different districts had travelled to the region and were unable to return due to the escalating hostilities.
“From Chikkaballapura district, around 150 people — all of them schoolchildren and college students — have gone there. We have received news that they are stranded there. We will try to reach them. Whatever help is required, the state government is ready to provide. We will get in touch with the concerned authorities,” he said.
Asked how he viewed the recurring conflicts between countries, the Home Minister said, “These are matters related to international relationships between countries. Some of these countries have been raising issues against each other’s policies. Now it has come to a stage where Iran is involved, the United States is involved, and Israel is involved. We will see whether this gets resolved or escalates.”
Expressing concern over civilian casualties, he said it is "unfortunate" that children, particularly the younger generation — about 85 people — have lost their lives.
On reports of schools being hit in the conflict, Parameshwara said this was not what people would expect from countries. "Hopefully, it gets resolved as early as possible."
Responding to a question that global conflicts appear to be expanding from Russia–Ukraine to now the US, Iran and Israel, he said, “It is not a good message. We have not seen this kind of situation after the Second World War. Now it is picking up — one country after another. It should not be escalated in the interest of humanity.”
