Partial lunar eclipse to be visible in Nagpur on March 3

Nagpur: Residents of Nagpur and Chandrapur will witness a partial lunar eclipse at moonrise on March 3. It is the only eclipse that will be visible from India in 2026. About 25% of the moon will appear covered in both cities, giving skywatchers in Vidarbha a brief but notable view of the celestial event.According to Suresh Chopane, president of Sky Watch Group, the partial phase of the eclipse will begin at 3.20pm, followed by the total phase at 4.34pm, which will end at 5.32 pm. However, since the Moon will still be below the horizon for most of India during the total phase, a total eclipse will be visible only from Arunachal Pradesh.
Visibility will vary across regions — around 90% of the eclipse will be seen from Kolkata, about 30% from Gadchiroli, nearly 25% from Nagpur and Chandrapur, around 10% from Pune, and only about 1% from Mumbai. Across Vidarbha, the eclipse will be visible roughly between 6.18pm and 7.33pm.Globally, the eclipse will be visible across several regions, including Pakistan, Afghanistan, India, and Australia.Chopane said the event may not appear very dramatic, as the Moon will be low on the eastern horizon, but viewing from terraces, open grounds, or hilltops can improve visibility. Since eclipses are scientific phenomena, people should observe them with curiosity and a scientific outlook, Chopane said.