`No superstition, please’: First eclipse of 2025 on Mar 14; will not be visible in India

Hyderabad: The first eclipse of 2025, a total lunar eclipse, will take place on March 14. However, it will not be visible in India.

According to the Planetary Society, India, the eclipse will be observed in regions covering the Pacific, the Americas, West Europe, West Africa, and parts of the Atlantic Ocean.

The event will begin at 3:56 a.m. IST and conclude at 10:02 a.m. IST. The umbral phase, when the Moon visibly darkens, will occur from 5:09 a.m. IST to 8:48 a.m. IST, with totality lasting from 6:26 a.m. IST to 7:32 a.m. IST.

No Eclipses Visible in India Since 2023

The last lunar eclipse visible in India was a partial eclipse on October 28, 2023. In 2024, two solar eclipses and one lunar eclipse occurred, but none were visible from India. The next eclipse observable in the country will be a total lunar eclipse on September 7, 2025.

Online Misinformation About Eclipse Visibility

N. Sri Raghunandan Kumar, Director of the Planetary Society, India, speaking to NewsMeter, cautioned against misleading information circulating on social media. “Several posts and videos are creating hype without specifying that this eclipse is not visible in India. Many people are being misled into believing they can witness it from their location,” he said.

While the eclipse cannot be seen directly in India, enthusiasts can watch live streams from observatories worldwide. “Anyone interested can follow the event on YouTube or other platforms broadcasting from regions where the eclipse is visible,” Kumar added.

Where to Watch the Eclipse

The best locations to view this eclipse will be North and South America, where all phases, including totality, will be visible. In other parts of the world, the eclipse will appear partial, depending on the Moon’s position at sunrise or sunset.

Experts advise checking reliable sources before assuming visibility.

“It’s important to refer to authentic astronomical data rather than viral social media posts. Lunar eclipses are fascinating events, but they need to be understood scientifically,” said Kumar.