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Rare Blood Moon Aligns With Holi Celebrations
3 Mar
Summary
- A total lunar eclipse, or 'Blood Moon,' occurred on March 3, 2026.
- The event coincided with Holi week, a rare astronomical alignment.
- The Moon appeared red for about 58 minutes during the eclipse.
On March 3, 2026, India and the world experienced a breathtaking total lunar eclipse, popularly termed a 'Blood Moon.' This celestial spectacle was particularly significant for India, occurring during the week of Holi, a confluence of events that astronomers note happens only once in a century. The eclipse saw the Moon journey completely through Earth's darkest shadow, adopting a distinctive deep copper-red color visible across continents.
The astronomical phases commenced in the afternoon, with visibility in India during the evening as the Moon ascended. Optimal viewing in India was pinpointed between 6:33 PM and 6:40 PM IST. The entire eclipse spanned about 5 hours and 39 minutes, with the intense 'totality' phase, where the Moon glowed red, lasting for approximately 58 minutes.
This phenomenon was observable by over 3.3 billion people globally, including audiences in North America, East Asia, Australia, and the Pacific. A total lunar eclipse happens when Earth aligns perfectly between the Sun and Moon, casting its shadow. The Moon's red appearance is due to Rayleigh scattering in Earth's atmosphere, which filters blue light and refracts red light, essentially showcasing Earth's simultaneous sunrises and sunsets.
