Blood Moon 2026 HIGHLIGHTS: Year's first lunar eclipse comes to an end

The first lunar eclipse of 2026 has ended. Millions across the world witnessed a rare phenomenon known as the Blood Moon.

Lunar Eclipse 2026 LIVE Updates: Blood Moon seen rising over Havana on March 3, 2026.

Lunar Eclipse 2026 LIVE updates: Blood Moon graces Moscow skies.

The Blood Moon as seen in Beijing.

People across the world have started uploading pictures of the Blood Moon on the internet.

The Blood Moon has entered its peak phase in India.

The ongoing total lunar eclipse is approaching totality. The totality is the period when the Moon is entirely within Earth’s shadow. This period will start at 5:21 pm IST and conclude at 6:23 pm. The eclipse will reach its peak at 5:58 pm IST. The peak is the best and the clearest part of the totality phase, when the Moon is closest to the Earth's shadow.

The ongoing total lunar eclipse is approaching its crescendo, which is the blood-red colour that the Moon will take. Visuals have shown that the process has already begun as the Moon is slowly beginning to take up a fading shade of red. 

The clock is ticking down, and the Moon is warming up to change colours. 

The rare phenomemon will be visible in many cities in India, as well as across the world. In the northeastern parts of India, cities like Guwahati and Siliguri will have a good view. Other places like Kolkata will also offer a much better view than the cities in the nation's western regions.

Meanwhile, global cities like New York City, Los Angeles, Tokyo, Seoul, and Sydney are the known names amongst the lucky locations that will be able to see the red orb in the sky.

The lunar eclipse has begun and thousands await the main event. The Moon is expected to turn red soon. The phase in which the Moon will be clad in red will begin at around 5:11 pm IST, though the Moon will remain partially shadowed until 7:39 pm IST. And bear in my mind that looking at the blood-red Moon is completely safe. So savour the view, click pictures, and record videos. 

The partial phase of the lunar eclipse will start at 16:17 IST.

The most exciting part, the total eclipse, will commence at 17:11 IST and reach its peak at 17:58 IST.

The total phase will conclude around 18:45 IST, though the Moon will remain partially shadowed until 19:39 IST.

The first lunar eclipse of 2026 is special because the timing of the Moon's entry into the deepest part of the Earth's shadow aligns perfectly with the transition between day and night for millions of people.

While the total eclipse is a global event, the Selenelion effect is a regional treasure. In the Eastern United States and parts of Canada, early risers are currently looking for that haunting copper-toned Moon in the West while dawn breaks in the East.

In India, the maximum phase of this eclipse occurs at 5:04 PM IST. Because the Moon is passing deep into the shadow of the Earth, it takes on a dark red or orange hue, a phenomenon often called a Blood Moon.

This happens because Earth's atmosphere filters out blue light, allowing only the longer red wavelengths to reach the lunar surface and bounce back to our eyes.

Imagine looking at the horizon to see a blood-red Moon sinking in the West while the Sun begins to glow in the East at the exact same time. This is the magic of a Selenelion, a rare cosmic alignment that is captivating skywatchers right now.

On March 3, 2026, the Earth is witnessing a total lunar eclipse with a twist that seems to break the rules of geometry. While the Sun and Moon are technically positioned 180 degrees apart during an eclipse, a rare optical trick allows both to be visible simultaneously.

The lunar eclipse began with the penumbral phase at 15:12 IST. This will be followed by the partial eclipse starting at 16:17 IST.

The most exciting part, the total eclipse, will commence at 17:11 IST and reach its peak at 17:58 IST.

The total phase will conclude around 18:45 IST, though the Moon will remain partially shadowed until 19:39 IST.

Moon will turn blood-red during today's lunar eclipse. (Photo: AP)

The entire event will wrap up by 20:43 IST.

Because the Moon will be below the horizon for much of India during the early stages, the best views will occur during the later part of the evening.

The first lunar eclipse of the year has begun in India. Watch it online here.

We are just minutes away from the beginning of the total lunar eclipse. The eclipse will last for almost 58 minutes and will feature a brief window when the Moon will wear a red hue, marking a rare spectacle in the sky.

The year's first lunar eclipse is set to occur in India in less than 30 minutes.

While the eclipse is harmless to watch, superstitions and myths often convince people to keep their gazes away. But there is a loophole. You can live stream the Moon turning red here:

The lunar eclipse will begin with the penumbral phase at 15:12 IST, followed by the partial eclipse starting at 16:17 IST.

The most exciting part, the total eclipse, will commence at 17:11 IST and reach its peak at 17:58 IST.

The total phase will conclude around 18:45 IST, though the Moon will remain partially shadowed until 19:39 IST.

The alignment of the Earth, Sun and Moon during a total lunar eclipse casts a dark shadow over the lunar surface, creating a spectacular sight often called a Blood Moon.

For those in India, the event offers a unique opportunity to witness the mechanics of our solar system in real time.

The lunar eclipse will begin with the penumbral phase at 15:12 IST, followed by the partial eclipse starting at 16:17 IST.

The most exciting part, the total eclipse, will commence at 17:11 IST and reach its peak at 17:58 IST.

The total phase will conclude around 18:45 IST, though the Moon will remain partially shadowed until 19:39 IST.