Catch the Moon’s grand exit at 6.19pm today

Chandigarh: A rare celestial treat awaits the Tricity on Tuesday evening, with the Moon set to rise already wearing a fading veil of Earth's shadow. While most of India will witness the full drama of a total lunar eclipse, skywatchers in the north-west will catch only its final act — a fleeting but striking glimpse of the Moon emerging from darkness.According to the India Meteorological Department, the eclipse will unfold between 3.20pm and 6.48pm (IST). The "total phase," when the Moon is completely submerged in Earth's umbral shadow, will occur from 4.34pm to 5.33pm.
But by the time the Moon rises over the Tricity, the total phase will have ended. Instead, residents will get to see the Moon slowly step out of the Earth's inner shadow — the final umbral phase — for a brief window just after moonrise, offering a short yet captivating show in the eastern sky.Approximate moonrise timings:Chandigarh: 6.19pmAmritsar: 6.30pmJalandhar: 6.25pmDelhi/North Haryana: 6.20–6.25pmScience behind the spectacle:A total lunar eclipse occurs on a full Moon day when the Earth aligns perfectly between the Sun and the Moon, casting its dark "umbral" shadow over the lunar surface. This specific eclipse carries a magnitude of 1.155, indicating a deep immersion into the Earth's shadow.If you miss Tuesday's event, you will have a long wait ahead. While the last total lunar eclipse visible from India occurred on Sept 7-8, 2025, the next one is not expected for over two years. The next visible lunar event will be a partial lunar eclipse on July 6, 2028.Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Holi wishes, messages and quotes !