On March 3, 2026, "Magha Puja Day," prepare to watch the "total lunar eclipse" with a brick-red color, visible to the naked eye throughout Thailand.
On February 23, 2026, the fan pageNARIT, the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand,posted that on March 3, 2026, a lunar eclipse will occur, coinciding with "Magha Puja Day." The event will start approximately from 15:44 to 21:23 (Bangkok local time).
The moon will begin entering Earth's penumbra at 15:44 and move into Earth's umbra, causing a partial lunar eclipse at 16:50, leading into the period of "total lunar eclipse." This will occur from 18:04 to 19:02. Afterwards, the moon will appear partially eclipsed again as it gradually exits Earth's shadow, ending the partial lunar eclipse at 20:17, and leaving the penumbra to conclude the event at 21:23.
In Thailand, on that day, the moon will rise above the eastern horizon around 18:23, coinciding exactly with the total eclipse phase. Observers will see the full moon appear with a brick-red hue rising from the horizon, visible to the naked eye nationwide (times may vary by location) until about 19:02. The observable duration is about 39 minutes. After that, a partial lunar eclipse and penumbral eclipse will follow before the event concludes.
Besides Thailand, this phenomenon can be observed in many parts of the world, including eastern Europe, Asia, Australia, North America, South America, the Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean, the Indian Ocean, the North Pole, and the South Pole.
Regarding the "lunar eclipse phenomenon," it occurs when the sun, Earth, and moon align in a straight line, with Earth positioned between the sun and moon. This happens only on a full moon day or around the 14th-15th lunar day, as the moon passes through Earth's shadow extending into space. Observers on Earth will see the moon gradually become partially eclipsed until it is fully immersed in Earth's shadow, then partially eclipsed again as it moves out of the shadow. Ancient Thais called this phenomenon "Rahu swallowing the moon."
However, a lunar eclipse is a natural event caused by the moon's orbit around Earth. Because the moon's orbital plane is tilted about 5 degrees relative to Earth's orbital plane, the moon does not pass through Earth's shadow every month but shifts to positions "above" or "below" Earth's shadow.
Typically, lunar eclipses occur at least twice a year on average. Visibility depends on geographic location, and the dates, times, and viewing areas can be accurately predicted in advance.