Shillong, March 3: Residents of Meghalaya are likely to witness the concluding phase of a total lunar eclipse on Tuesday evening, March 3, with Shillong expected to offer one of the clearest views in the country, according to officials of the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
In Shillong, moonrise is expected at 5.23 pm, while the totality phase of the eclipse will end at 5.33 pm. The full eclipse will conclude at 6.48 pm, giving observers a viewing window of around one hour and 25 minutes from moonrise. IMD officials said prevailing weather conditions are likely to remain favourable across most parts of Meghalaya.
An IMD official said the current forecast indicated generally clear to partly cloudy skies over Shillong and adjoining areas on Tuesday evening, which should allow people to witness the eclipse without major weather-related obstruction.
Another official noted that visibility would depend on localised cloud cover at the time of moonrise. If the eastern horizon remains clear around sunset, residents will be able to observe the moon emerging from the Earth’s shadow with its characteristic reddish hue.
While most parts of India are set to witness only the final stages of the celestial event, Meghalaya and other northeastern states are better placed to observe the end of the totality phase due to their geographical location.
Astronomy enthusiasts pointed out that this will be the last total lunar eclipse visible from India until 2028, making the event a significant opportunity for skywatchers in the region.
