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Free Public Viewing at Indira Gandhi Planetarium
Up to 39 Minutes of Eclipse Visibility Expected
Anytime News Network | Pooja Srivastava
An extraordinary celestial event will grace the skies on March 3, 2026, as the first total lunar eclipse of the year takes place. While the complete phase of the eclipse will not be fully visible from Lucknow, residents will have the opportunity to witness the concluding partial phase for approximately 39 minutes, weather permitting.
To mark this occasion, Indira Gandhi Planetarium, Lucknow is organizing a special public sky-watching session within its premises. The event will be conducted free of cost, allowing citizens to observe the eclipse through telescopes. The program is being arranged in collaboration with the Uttar Pradesh Amateur Astronomers Club and will continue from evening until 7:00 PM.
In Lucknow, sunset is scheduled at 6:08 PM. By that time, the total phase of the eclipse (which runs from 4:34 PM to 5:33 PM IST) will have concluded. However, the partial phase will remain visible until 6:47 PM, and the penumbral phase will end at 7:53 PM. Observers may notice the Moon appearing slightly dimmed or reddish near the eastern horizon after moonrise.
A lunar eclipse occurs when Earth positions itself between the Sun and the Moon, casting its shadow on the lunar surface. During totality, the Moon can appear red or copper-colored due to Rayleigh scattering, where Earth’s atmosphere filters out shorter blue wavelengths of sunlight and allows red light to pass through. This phenomenon is popularly known as a “Blood Moon.”
The March 3 eclipse offers astronomy enthusiasts and the general public a rare opportunity to witness a fascinating demonstration of celestial mechanics and atmospheric science, making it a must-watch event for sky lovers in Lucknow.
