| Type: | total |
| Date: | 6 August 1971 |
| Axis: | 0.0792° |
| Gamma: | -0.07944 |
| Magnitude: | 1.72830 |
| Saros Ser: | 128 |
| Saros No: | 38 of 71 |
| Totality: | 99 minutes, 24.8 seconds |
| Partiality: | 215 minutes, 31.9 seconds |
| Penumbral: | 327 minutes, 33.3 seconds |
| P1: | 16:59:26.4 |
| U1: | 17:55:25.2 |
| U2: | 18:53:28.4 |
| Greatest: | 19:43:10.3 |
| U3: | 20:32:53.2 |
| U4: | 21:30:57.1 |
| P4: | 22:26:49.7 |
| Previous: | February 1971 |
| Next: | January 1972 |
A total lunar eclipse took place on Friday, August 6, 1971, the second of two total lunar eclipses in 1971. A dramatic total eclipse lasting 1 hour, 39 minutes and 24.8 seconds plunged the full Moon into deep darkness, as it passed right through the centre of the Earth's umbral shadow. While the visual effect of a total eclipse is variable, the Moon may have been stained a deep orange or red colour at maximum eclipse. This was a great spectacle for everyone who saw it. The partial eclipse lasted for 3 hours, 35 minutes and 31.9 seconds in total. Occurring only 2.2 days before perigee (Perigee on Monday, August 9, 1971), the Moon's apparent diameter was 3.6% larger than average and the moon passed through the center of the Earth's shadow.
It was completely visible over Africa and Asia, rising over South America, and setting over Australia.
Lunar Saros 128 contains 15 total lunar eclipses between 1845 and 2097 (in years 1845, 1863, 1881, 1899, 1917, 1935, 1953, 1971, 1989, 2007, 2025, 2043, 2061, 2079 and 2097). Solar Saros 135 interleaves with this lunar saros with an event occurring every 9 years 5 days alternating between each saros series.
A lunar eclipse will be preceded and followed by solar eclipses by 9 years and 5.5 days (a half saros).[1] This lunar eclipse is related to two annular solar eclipses of Solar Saros 135.