Don't miss the live broadcast of the "total lunar eclipse" on Magha Puja Day, 3 March 2026, the phenomenon of the "brick-red moon" or "Rahu swallowing the moon" lasting a total of 39 minutes
On 3 March 2026, the Facebook pageNARIT, the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand,will live broadcast the phenomenon of the "total lunar eclipse" on Magha Puja Day, 3 March 2026, from approximately 15:44 to 21:23 (Thailand time, Bangkok).
In Thailand, observation will begin when the moon rises above the horizon around 18:23 to the east, coinciding with the total eclipse phase. Thus, the full moon will appear brick-red from moonrise until about 19:02, lasting 39 minutes. After this, a partial lunar eclipse and penumbral eclipse will follow until the phenomenon ends. It will be visible to the naked eye across Thailand.
The "lunar eclipse" occurs when the Sun, Earth, and Moon align in the same plane, with Earth positioned between the Sun and Moon. This happens only on a full moon day, around the 14th to 15th lunar day. As the Moon passes through Earth's shadow in space, observers see the moon gradually become crescent-shaped until it is fully within Earth's shadow, then crescent-shaped again as it exits. Ancient Thais called this phenomenon "Rahu swallowing the moon."
However, although the Moon orbits Earth monthly, a lunar eclipse does not occur every full moon because the Moon's orbital plane is tilted about 5 degrees relative to Earth's orbit. As a result, the Moon usually passes above or below Earth's shadow. On average, lunar eclipses occur at least twice per year.
Thanks to the Facebook page of NARIT, the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand.