Gujarat, along with the rest of India, will witness a rare celestial spectacle on the night of September 7-8—a total lunar eclipse lasting 82 minutes, making it one of the longest of the decade.The last such eclipse visible across India was on July 27, 2018. The next total lunar eclipse will be on December 31, 2028, while a partial eclipse is expected on March 3, 2026.As per IST, the penumbral phase begins at 8:58 pm, followed by the umbral phase at 9:57 pm. The total eclipse will run from 11:01 pm to 12:22 am, peaking at 11:42 pm. During this time, the Moon will turn a striking copper-red as it passes fully into Earth’s shadow.Around 80% of the global population will be able to view the event. In Gujarat, science centers in Rajkot, Patan, Bhavnagar, and Bhuj, along with district centers statewide, will stay open late with telescopes, interactive sessions, astrophotography guidance, and stargazing activities.
