Total Lunar Eclipse on 3 March 2026: Schedule and Best Viewing Locations in West Nusa Tenggara

Residents in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) will have the opportunity to witness a rare natural phenomenon—a total lunar eclipse on Tuesday evening, 3 March 2026. The Meteorological, Climatological and Geophysical Agency (BMKG) describes this moment as particularly special and photogenic for sky photography enthusiasts.

An observer from Mataram Geophysical Station, Daffa Andhika Pramadhana, explained that the Moon’s recent rising makes this eclipse particularly beautiful for documentation. The eclipse’s low position on the eastern horizon creates a dramatic visual effect.

The exotic red colour visible on the Moon’s surface during the total phase is caused by Earth’s atmosphere refracting the red spectrum of sunlight. This scientific process is similar to the reddish sky phenomenon observed at sunset.

According to BMKG’s 2026 Almanac, this total lunar eclipse will not only cross Indonesia but can also be observed across the Americas, Australia, and much of Asia.

Despite the astronomically ideal positioning of the Moon, BMKG forecasts that most of NTB will experience cloudy conditions on the evening of the eclipse, potentially hindering direct observation.

Regarding physical impacts, BMKG confirms this phenomenon will not significantly affect tidal changes. Tidal variations are primarily influenced by the Moon’s general phases, wind, and waves rather than lunar eclipses.

The 3 March 2026 total lunar eclipse is recorded as the 27th member of 71 in the Saros 133 series. Historically, eclipses associated with this series previously occurred on 21 February 2008. For those missing this evening’s event, a similar phenomenon in the same Saros series will not occur again for 18 years, on 13 March 2044.