en.Malanginspirasi.com – Indonesians from all over the regions can witness a total lunar eclipse on Tuesday, March 3, 2026.
The Deputy for Geophysics at The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), Nelly Florida Riama, explained that a lunar eclipse occurs due to the dynamic positions of the Sun, Earth, and Moon.
She added that it only occurs during the full moon phase.
A total lunar eclipse specifically occurs when the Sun, Earth, and Moon are aligned.
“This causes the Moon to enter completely into the Earth’s inner shadow (umbra). This phenomenon presents a beautiful sight; if the sky is clear, the Moon will appear red at the peak of the eclipse,” said Nelly in Jakarta, Monday (March 2).
Overall, the eclipse will last 5 hours, 41 minutes, and 51 seconds from the beginning to the end.
Partiality will last 3 hours, 27 minutes, and 47 seconds. Totality during the Moon is completely within Earth’s umbra will last 59 minutes, 27 seconds.
Whenever the sky is clear, the Moon will appear to turn red at the peak of the eclipse.
This red color is the result of Rayleigh scattering in Earth’s atmosphere, where short-wavelength (blue) sunlight is scattered, while long-wavelength (red) light escapes to reach the Moon’s surface.
The Exact Starting Time of the Total Lunar Eclipse
Based on BMKG data, Acting Director of Engineering Seismology, Potential Geophysics, and Time Signs, Fachri Radjab, explained that the total lunar eclipse will begin at 6:03:56 PM WIB (Western Indonesian Time).
It will reach its peak at 6:33:39 PM WIB, 7:33:39 PM WITA, and 8:33:39 PM WIT.
Furthermore, observers in eastern Indonesia have better visibility because they can observe the initial phases of the eclipse at moonrise.
Conversely, in western Indonesia, the eclipse will be observed already in progress (totality or peak phase) shortly after moonrise.
“This phenomenon will truly end at 9:24 PM WIB (or midnight WIT) when the moon exits Earth’s penumbral shadow. It is better for anyone to find an observation location with minimal light pollution and a clear view of the sky in the direction of moonrise,” he said.
The prediction of eclipses during the year 2026 will be two solar eclipses and two lunar eclipses.
However, only the total lunar eclipse on March 3, 2026, will be observable from Indonesia.
Astronomically, this eclipse is the 27th of 71 members of the Saros 133 series.
This phenomenon previously occurred on February 21, 2008. The prediction was that would reappear in association with the moon on March 13, 2044.
