New Delhi, 2 January: The year 2026 has begun and brings special interest for astronomy enthusiasts. This year, there will be a total of four eclipses – two solar eclipses and two lunar eclipses. However, these eclipses will not be equally visible across India.
Among the four, only one lunar eclipse will be clearly visible in India. The other three eclipses will either not be visible from India or their effect will be minimal, making it difficult to observe them.
The first eclipse of the year will occur on 17 February. This will be a solar eclipse known as an annular or ‘ring of fire’ eclipse. During this eclipse, nearly 96 percent of the Sun will be covered and it will last about 2 minutes and 20 seconds. This eclipse will be visible in South Africa, southern Argentina, and Antarctica, but not in India. Therefore, the traditional ‘Sootak’ period associated with it will not be observed in India.
The first lunar eclipse of 2026 will take place on 3 March and will be fully visible in India. This is the only eclipse that can be directly observed from the country. The lunar eclipse will last approximately 58 minutes during which the Moon will appear reddish, commonly referred to as a ‘Blood Moon’. According to astronomers, this will be the last total lunar eclipse before 2029. The Sootak period for this eclipse will be considered valid in India, maintaining its religious and traditional significance.
The third eclipse of the year will occur on 29 July and will be a solar eclipse. Unfortunately, this eclipse will not be visible in India. It will be observable only from parts of Africa, South America, and Antarctica. As it will not appear in India, the Sootak period for this eclipse will not be applicable here.
The final eclipse of 2026 will be the second lunar eclipse on 28 August. It will be visible in parts of North and South America, Europe, and Africa but not from India. Hence, its Sootak period will also not be recognized in the country.
In summary, four eclipses will occur in 2026, but only the total lunar eclipse on 3 March will be visible in India.
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My name is Ganpat Singh Choughan. I am an experienced content writer with 7 years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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