{"id":19021,"date":"2026-03-04T01:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-03-03T17:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bruneiastronomy.org\/web\/?p=19021"},"modified":"2026-03-04T09:42:39","modified_gmt":"2026-03-04T01:42:39","slug":"2026-march-03-a-glimpse-of-the-shadow-bruneians-witness-the-ramadan-lunar-eclipse","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bruneiastronomy.org\/web\/2026\/03\/2026-march-03-a-glimpse-of-the-shadow-bruneians-witness-the-ramadan-lunar-eclipse\/","title":{"rendered":"2026 March 03 – A Glimpse of the Shadow: Bruneians Witness the Ramadan Lunar Eclipse"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Hazarry bin Haji Ali Ahmad, the Astronomical Society of Brunei Darussalam.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

SUMMARY:<\/strong>

Event Overview: <\/strong>While it was a total lunar eclipse, the view in Brunei was largely obscured by clouds. Despite the weather challenges, the event served as a significant gathering for the local astronomy community in the Sultanate.

Community Engagement: <\/strong>Bruneian enthusiasts and members of the Astronomical Society of Brunei Darussalam (PABD) engaged in private observations and shared the event via live feed of the phenomenon and social media to ensure others could still participate in the experience.

Future Eclipses:<\/strong> The next time a total lunar eclipse will coincide with Ramadan is July 7, 2047. Upcoming lunar events for Brunei include a partial lunar eclipse on July 6, 2028, and a total lunar eclipse on December 31, 2028 (extending into New Year’s Day 2029).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This eclipse was especially meaningful as it occurred in the evening of mid Ramadan, a month when many families in Brunei are having sungkai<\/em> (breaking the fast) and nightly prayers. The timing of moonrise eclipse allowed more people than usual to step outside, look up, and experience the event together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A specific alignment of the Sun, Earth and Moon must coincide with the middle of the holy month for such an event to occur. A total lunar eclipse during Ramadan is exceptionally rare, repeating only once every 22 Hijri years – or roughly every 45 eclipse seasons, equivalent to about 21 years in the Gregorian calendar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: Satellite image during the total lunar eclipse showing most parts in Brunei were covered by clouds \/ Zoom Earth<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Eclipse Largely Obscured, but Partial Phase Visible<\/strong>
The eclipse began with thick clouds covering most of the eastern horizon. Many skywatchers couldn\u2019t see the early stages at all in Brunei, and even totality was mostly hidden behind the cloud layer. But the excitement didn\u2019t fade -everyone kept watching, waiting, and hoping for gaps in the clouds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, clearer skies during the later part of the partial phase allowed observers to catch brief but rewarding views. The Moon\u2019s emergence from Earth\u2019s umbra was visible through gaps in the clouds, revealing the curved shadow line across the lunar surface.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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PABD Members Gather for a Private Observation Session<\/strong>
Persatuan Astronomi Negara Brunei Darussalam (PABD) conducted a private observation session at the residence of one of its members in Tutong, attended by five members, while other members also carried out their own observations from home. Telescopes and imaging equipment were set up early, and although the team faced long periods of overcast skies, they remained prepared for any moment of clarity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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From the observation site, the eclipse first became visible to the naked eye at 8.01 pm, when a soft orange glow from the Moon – emerging at the end of totality – appeared faintly through the thin clouds.

As the Moon slowly emerged out of the Earth’s umbra, observers noted several distinct features:<\/p>\n\n\n\n