Bandar Seri Begawan – People in Brunei Darussalam will be able to witness a Total Lunar Eclipse, or Blood Moon, on the evening of Tuesday, 3 March 2026, when the Moon turns a deep red colour as it passes into Earth’s shadow.

What Causes a Total Lunar Eclipse
A total lunar eclipse happens when the Earth moves directly between the Sun and the Moon, causing Earth’s shadow to cover the entire lunar surface. Even though the Moon is fully shaded, it does not disappear from view. Instead, it turns a reddish colour. This red hue is produced when sunlight bends through Earth’s atmosphere, allowing only red light to reach the lunar surface.

Where the Eclipse Will Be Visible Around the World
The astronomical phenomenon will be seen in the evening across Australia and eastern Asia including Brunei Darussalam, overnight throughout the Pacific, and at dawn in North and Central America as well as the far western parts of South America. A partial eclipse will be visible in central Asia and much of South America, while Africa and Europe will not see any part of the eclipse.

Above: 2026 March 03 Total Lunar Eclipse worldwide visibility map by F. Espanak (NASA)

Visibility from Brunei Darussalam
The early stages of the eclipse occur while the Moon is still below the horizon in Brunei. The initial penumbral and partial phases will therefore not be visible locally. The eclipse becomes observable once the Moon rises already in partial eclipse, leading into the full phase of totality.

Key Eclipse Timings for Brunei
The Total Eclipse begins at 7:04 p.m., when the entire Moon enters Earth’s umbra and takes on a noticeably darker tone. This is followed by the Maximum Eclipse at 7:33 p.m., the moment when the Moon is deepest in the Earth’s umbra and appears most vivid red. Totality ends at 8:03 p.m., after which the Moon slowly brightens as it moves out of Earth’s shadow. The partial phase ends at 9:17 p.m., when the Moon is fully within Earth’s penumbra and only a subtle dimming remains.

Key timings in Brunei Darussalam Time (GMT+8) are as follows:

Penumbral Eclipse Begins: 4:44 p.m. (03 Mar 2026) [Not Visible from Brunei]
Partial Eclipse Begins: 5:50 p.m. [Not Visible from Brunei]
Totality Begins: 7:04 p.m.
Maximum Eclipse: 7:33 p.m.
Totality Ends: 8:03 p.m.
Partial Eclipse Ends: 9:17 p.m.
Penumbral Eclipse Ends: 10:23 p.m.

Click Here for LIVE Countdown of the Lunar Eclipse Phases

End of the Eclipse
The eclipse officially concludes when the penumbral phase ends at 10:23 p.m., marking the final stage of this celestial event. At this point, the brightness of the full Moon will return to its normal appearance.

A Deep Total Eclipse with Striking Visuals
This eclipse is classified as a deep total lunar eclipse, with a magnitude of 1.151, indicating that Earth’s umbra covers more than the entire diameter of the Moon. Totality lasts for 58 minutes, while the combined partial‑eclipse phases span more than 2 hours.

Viewing Conditions and What to Expect
The eclipse is safe to view with the naked eye and requires no special equipment. However, an unobstructed view of the eastern horizon is essential, as the Moon will be very low above the horizon when it first becomes visible.

Live Stream
View the live stream from @bruneiastronomy platforms on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.

A Dramatic Moonrise for Brunei
With a clear eastern horizon and favourable weather after sungkai, Brunei’s observers will see the Moon rising around 6:30 p.m., already more than half eclipsed, creating a striking and dramatic sight as it climbs above the landscape. As the eclipse enters totality, the Moon will gradually shift into a coppery‑red glow, with its colour shaped by natural atmospheric conditions such as humidity and fine airborne particles.

A Rare Ramadan Eclipse Before the Next in 2028–2029
This rare celestial event is especially significant as it falls in Ramadan. It is the last total lunar eclipse before the next one occurring on 31 December 2028 – 1 January 2029, which is visible from Brunei. For a total lunar eclipse that again coincides with Ramadan, the wait will be much longer: the next one that falls in Ramadan will occur on 7 July 2047 – 21 years from now.

Press Release:

English and Malay:

Last month, a Japanese amateur astronomer Koichi Itagaki discovered a violent cosmic eruption in the Pinwheel Galaxy on May 19, 2023.

A supernova occurs when the core of a massive star at the end of its life violently collapses as it runs out of fuel.

SN2023ixf is one of the closest supernovae to our Solar system which is approximately 21 million light-years from Earth.

The celestial outburst will be visible in backyard telescopes for the next few months.

Bandar Seri Begawan – Persatuan Astronomi Negara Brunei Darussalam (PABD) held its 4th Annual General Meeting (AGM) yesterday at the Higher Hotel, Kiulap on Sunday afternoon, January 10, 2021.

Present during the AGM were advisors to PABD, Yang Arif Awang Hj Johar bin Hj Mohammad, Judge of the Syarie Court and Dr Haji Norarfan bin Hj Zainal, Rector UNISSA. Also present were about 40 members of PABD and members of the public.

The ceremony began with the welcoming speech by Yang Di Pertua PABD, Awang Hj Mahadi bin Hj Md Tahir. The AGM was then officiated by Yang Arif Awang Hj Johar bin Hj Mohammad, one of the Advisor Board members of PABD.

PABD, also known as Brunei Astronomy, was established in 2003 aims to promote and facilitate activities relating to astronomy. The year 2020 had been a year with astronomical marvel with PABD conducting numerous activities for its members and the public. PABD conducted its first International Observe the Moon Night, an annual event supported by International Astronomical Union (IAU) and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Similarly, PABD successfully organized online observations and in-person event to observe the Dec 26 2019 Annular Eclipse Observations from Sri Aman, June 2020 Partial Solar Eclipse observation and the Jupiter-Saturn Great Conjunction – a rare astronomical occurrence, back in December 21 last year.

The AGM meeting began with the awards presentation by PABD honorary advisors to two international awards recipients, namely NameExoWorlds Brunei Darussalam 2019 and Telescopes for All 2020. The Certificate of Achievement by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) was awarded to Pengiran Mohammad Rezal bin Pengiran Hj Osman, for proposing the winning names Gumala (star) and Mastika (exoplanet) as part of the national campaign organised in Brunei for the IAU100 NameExoWorlds Project as part of the International Astronomical Union’s 100th anniversary celebrations (IAU100) in 2019. Additionally, Making Space for All – MASA, a proposal by PABD for the Telescopes for All by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) in June 2020 was awarded to Dayang Nur Bazilah bte Zainal Abidin. The MASA project aims to create an inclusive environment to promote safety for women and accessibility to differently-abled individuals in astronomy and activities related to it.

There was also presentation of Certificate of Appreciation to seven members of PABD for their outstanding contributions to the society and to eleven PABD Executive Committee members for their excellent services in managing the society.

The AGM was concluded with the appointments of new PABD Executive Committee and proposal of PABD activities for 2021. Eleven newly elected PABD Executive Committee members for 2021/2022 sessions are:

• Yang Dipertua (President): Awang Hj Mahadi bin Hj Md Tahir
• Naib Yang Dipertua (Vice President): Hj Abdul Aziz bin Hj Akop
• Setiausaha Agung (Secretary General): Hazarry bin Hj Ali Ahmad
• Timbalan Setiausaha I (Deputy Secretary I): Pg Shahdani bin Pg Anom
• Timbalan Setiausaha II (Deputy Secretary II): Dr Hj Md Hussain bin Pehin Penyurat Hj Ahmad
• Bendahari Agung (Treasurer General): Shaifulbahri bin Haji Ahmad
• Five (5) Ordinary Executive (Exco) members: 
  • Md Qawien bin Hj Md Jamil
  • Loo Kuan Look 
  • Mohammad Hussaini bin Ali Hassan 
  • Nur Bazilah binti Zainal Abidin
  • Farah Laila Nabilah binti Abdullah Chia

The year 2021 too stores impressive astronomical events in which PABD will certainly take opportunities to organize activities for the occasions. Anyone interested to join PABD as a member can visit their website www.bruneiastronomy.org. 

Download:

Bandar Seri Begawan – The western horizon was generally pretty clear and Venus was visible late afternoon yesterday (Jun 14, 2018) , but it was very windy and cloudy (from altitude about 6 degree and below) near the horizon where the moon was located in the sky.

The 15 hour old Syawal 1439H new moon crescent was sighted for only few seconds during the new moon observation through Theodolite and CCD  at around 6.53 pm (20 minutes after sunset) from Bukit Agok, Tutong, Brunei Darussalam.

Present at the Syawal 1439 moon sighting was Hj Mahadi bin Hj Md Tahir, the president of The Astronomical Society of Brunei Darussalam with 5 members.

Here are some stunning photos of the event, from Brunei Darussalam.

The eclipse will be visible from North/East Europe, Asia, Australia, North/East Africa, North America, North/West South America, Pacific, Atlantic, Indian Ocean, Arctic, Antarctica on the 31st January 2018.

The table below shows the time (in Brunei Local Time) at different stages of the Total Lunar Eclipse on January 31, 2018 from Brunei Darussalam:

[Source: www.timeanddate.com]

How does the moon eclipse look like in Brunei?

This video shows what the eclipse approximately looks like in Brunei. This is a simulation made by a software, StarryNight Pro.

When is the next eclipse visible in Brunei?

How to watch Live Stream of Jan 31, 2018 Lunar Eclipse?

Please follow these steps to enjoy video streams of the phenomenon:

1. Please go to Brunei Astronomy Facebook site and Click Here to view video live feed from Mini-Observatory in Keriam, Tutong. Brunei Darussalam from 6.30 pm on the day of the eclipse.
2.  Look for new video posting on the site (which has “live” posted on the video)

Where can I go for Eclipse Observation in Brunei ?

[Please email us, if you are organizing any eclipse observation]

Total Eclipse of the Moon Sunat Prayer

The Eclipse Sunat Prayer will be held at all mosques, surau and religious halls nationwide on the night of the phenomenon. The Sunat prayer will take place after Fardu Isyak prayer. The focal point of the event will be at the Omar Ali Saifuddien mosque in the capital.  Source: RTB

The meeting will take place:

Date: Wednesday June 07, 2017 corresponding to 12 Ramadan 1438H

Time: 2.30 – 5.30 pm

Venue: Meeting Room, Jame’ Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque

All Executive Committees and Members of the society (PABD) are welcome to attend.

Bandar Seri Begawan – The official first day of Ramadan falls tomorrow (27th May 2017) in Brunei Darussalam as the moon crescent of Ramadan was sighted by the officials (of the new moon sighting committee) in this country.

By Hazarry Hj Ali Ahmad

What happens during a partial solar eclipse?

A perfect  alignment of the Earth-Moon-Sun bodies is required for a solar eclipse to occur. As seen from a location on Earth, a solar eclipse happens when the moon moves in front of the Sun thus block the Solar Disk. A simulation of the partial Solar Eclipse as seen from Brunei in the morning of March 9, 2016 is shown in the video above. Since we will only witness the partial obscuration of the sun by the moon, features that are normally visible during totality such as corona and darkening of the sky/surrounding will not be observable from Brunei.

Visibility
On March 9th, 2016 Wednesday, the total solar eclipse will be visible from Sumatra, Borneo, Sulawesi and from locations in the Pacific ocean.
The eclipse will be partial for people in South and East Asia (including Brunei) and northern and eastern Australia. The eclipse map below shows the limiting magnitude of the solar eclipse around our neighboring countries (note the different partial obscuration based on the magnitude) and total solar eclipse only happens on the small stretch totality path.

Eclipse timing for Brunei Darussalam
The eclipse which will start at 7.30am, will last for about two hours and 24 minutes in Brunei. The maximum phase of the eclipse will occur at 8.37am with the moon covering 76.5 per cent of the sun’s disc. The partial eclipse will end when the moon leaves the sun’s edge at 9.54am. Diagrams of the eclipse sequence or phases and Local Time from Brunei are as follow,

Where to See the Eclipse in Brunei?
The celestial spectacle will be visible anywhere in Brunei as long as we have a clear sky. Do make sure that you have an unblocked Eastern horizon i.e. free from trees, buildings etc. The venue for national solar eclipse observation will be announced as soon as we have confirmation (please let us know via email at hazarry@bruneiastronomy.org, if you are organising any solar eclipse observation).

1. Masjid Pekan Seria. Organise by Ahli-Ahli Khas Masjid Pekan Seria

Protect Your Eyes!

Watching a solar eclipse will be a breath taking experience especially because of it’s rarity, mystery and religious beliefs. However, it comes with a warning! Our sun emits dangerous radiations. Never look directly at the Sun without proper solar filter. Solar UV radiation can burn the retinas at the back of your eyes, and cause permanent damage or even blindness. Avoid using improper solar filters such CD, plastic bag, sunglasses, exposed x-ray film etc. to view the sun as harmful radiation can still pass through these objects.  You can buy a solar eclipse glass here at the Mall Gadong, Brunei. Another safe method of viewing the sun is to use a projection of the sun using small pin-hole camera or binocular or a small telescope.

Past and Future eclipses in Brunei

• Last 2012 May 21 Solar (Partial) and 2013 May 10 Solar (Partial)
• Future 2019 Dec 26 Solar (Partial)
  So, the next solar eclipse will not happen until 2019 in Brunei and more reasons for us not to miss this astronomical show.

Upcoming lunar eclipses:

• 2017 Aug 7 / Aug 8 Lunar (Partial)
• 2018 Jan 31 / Feb 1 Lunar (Total)
• 2018 Jul 28 Lunar (Total)
• 2019 Jul 17 Lunar (Partial)

[youtube width=”602″ height=”350″ video_id=”JVnSelj3QhA”]

//FOR PRESS RELEASE