Tonight’s sky offers a rare and spectacular treat. A total lunar eclipse — popularly called a Blood Moon — will unfold on Tuesday, turning the full moon a deep copper-red for nearly an hour. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has confirmed that the eclipse will be visible from most parts of India, including Chandigarh, Punjab and Haryana.For residents of northwest India, however, the viewing experience comes with a catch: the eclipse begins and enters totality while the moon is still below the horizon. Moonrise in the region falls close to — or shortly before — the eclipse’s final umbral phase, meaning skywatchers will catch the moon emerging from Earth’s shadow, already bathed in a dark rust-red glow. The spectacle lasts only a short window before the eclipse ends at 18:48 IST, so timing and a clear eastern horizon are everything.What is a total lunar eclipse? It occurs on a full moon night when Earth positions itself directly between the sun and the moon, casting its umbral shadow over the entire lunar disc. Unlike a solar eclipse, it requires no special equipment to watch — naked-eye viewing is completely safe. The deep reddish hue comes from sunlight refracting through earth’s atmosphere and bending onto the lunar surface — essentially every sunrise and sunset on earth, projected onto the moon simultaneously.The eclipse is also visible from East Asia, Australia, the Pacific Ocean and the Americas, making it a global event. In India, only a few locations in the extreme western parts of the country will miss out entirely.ECLIPSE TIMELINE — INDIAN STANDARD TIME (IST)15:20 — Eclipse begins. Moon enters earth’s penumbral shadow. Subtle darkening, not yet dramatic.16:34 — Total phase begins. Moon fully enters umbra. Blood Moon effect at its peak.17:33 — Total phase ends. Moon begins emerging from umbral shadow.18:19–18:30 — Moonrise over Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh. Final umbral phase visible at the horizon.18:48 — Eclipse ends completely. Moon exits Earth’s shadow.VISIBILITY — CITY BY CITYChandigarhMoonrise: 18:19 | Eclipse ends: 18:48 | Window: 29 minutesPunjabJalandhar moonrise: 18:25 | Window: 23 minutesAmritsar moonrise: 18:30 | Window: 18 minutesHaryana and Delhi NCRNorth Haryana moonrise: 18:20 | Window: 28 minutesDelhi/NCR moonrise: 18:25 | Window: 23 minutesVIEWER’S ADVISORY AND TIPSNo special equipment needed. Total lunar eclipses are completely safe to watch with the naked eye. Binoculars or a small telescope will reveal more colour and detail.Head out before 18:15 IST. Set up in an open area with a clear, unobstructed eastern horizon. Buildings and trees can block the low-rising moon and cut into your already narrow viewing window.The moon will appear darkened, not totally red. By moonrise, the total phase has ended. The moon will be in partial shadow — still distinctly reddish-orange at its edge — as it clears the horizon.Rural areas will have the best views. City light pollution dims the spectacle. Head to open fields, rooftops or hillsides away from urban glare for the richest colours.You have until 18:48 IST. After that, the moon exits Earth’s shadow and returns to its normal bright white. Do not delay.Next chance: The next lunar eclipse visible from India is a partial one on July 6, 2028 — far less dramatic. Tonight’s total eclipse is a rare event. The last total lunar eclipse from Indian skies was on September 7-8, 2025.KEY FACTSTotal duration of eclipse: 3 hours 28 minutesTotal (Blood Moon) phase: 59 minutesMagnitude: 1.155Next lunar eclipse from India: 6 July 2028 (Partial)(Source: IMD)