NEW DELHI, Jan 2: Skywatchers in India will get to witness only one eclipse in 2026, even as the year features a total of four eclipses worldwide, including two solar and two lunar events.
The visible event will be a total lunar eclipse on March 3, during which the Moon will take on a reddish hue for nearly 58 minutes. Astronomers describe it as a blood moon and say it will be the last total lunar eclipse until 2029.
The first eclipse of the year, an annular solar eclipse on February 17, will not be visible from India. Known as the “Ring of Fire,” the eclipse will see about 96 percent of the Sun obscured and will be observable in parts of South Africa, southern Argentina and Antarctica. Since it is not visible in India, Sutak Kala will not be applicable.
Another solar eclipse is scheduled for July 29, but it will also be limited to regions of Africa, South America and Antarctica, leaving India outside its visibility zone.
The final eclipse of the year, a lunar eclipse on August 28, will be visible in Europe, Africa and the Americas, but not in India.
In all, while 2026 will feature four celestial events, Indian observers will only be able to view the March 3 total lunar eclipse.
