December 2011 lunar eclipse explained

bgcolor=#e7dcc3 colspan=2Total Lunar Eclipse
10 December 2011
align=center colspan=2
Singapore, 14:40 UTC
align=center colspan=2
The Moon passes right to left through the Earth's shadow
align=center bgcolor=#c0d0e0135 (23 of 71)
align=center bgcolor=#c0d0e0-0.3882
align=center bgcolor=#c0d0e01.1061
align=center bgcolor=#c0b0e0 colspan=2Duration (hr:mn:sc)
align=center bgcolor=#b0a0e0 Totality 0:51:08
align=center bgcolor=#c0a0e0 Partial 3:32:15
align=center bgcolor=#d0d0e0 Penumbral 5:56:21
align=center bgcolor=#a0d0e0 colspan=2Contacts (UTC)
align=center bgcolor=#d0d0e0 P1 11:33:36
align=center bgcolor=#c0a0e0 U1 12:45:43
align=center bgcolor=#b0a0e0 U2 14:06:16
align=center bgcolor=#a0a0e0Greatest 14:31:49
align=center bgcolor=#b0a0e0 U3 14:57:24
align=center bgcolor=#c0a0e0 U4 16:17:58
align=center bgcolor=#d0d0e0 P4 17:29:57
align=center colspan=2
The Moon's hourly motion across the Earth's shadow in the constellation of Taurus
A total lunar eclipse took place on 10 December 2011. It was the second of two total lunar eclipses in 2011, the first having occurred on June 15. A lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon is positioned just right in its orbit to pass through Earth's shadow.

Visibility

Asia, Australia, and other areas of the Pacific had the best visibility. European countries only saw a partial eclipse of a rising moon, while northwestern North America saw a partial eclipse of a setting moon.

The eclipse was seen over the Philippines despite cloudy and rainy weather over parts of Luzon and other areas. Photos were taken by groups of amateur astronomers from the Astronomical League of the Philippines (ALP).

South America and portions of West Africa missed the eclipse completely as it happened in the early morning.

Gallery

AsiaAustralia and Oceania

Europe and Middle EastNorth America

Contact timing by location

Times for Australia

The eclipse occurred on Saturday evening in Australia. Eastern Daylight Saving Time: (+11:00 UTC)

Times for India

The eclipse was visible from India in the evening, given in India Standard Time (UTC+5:30):

Times for North America

The eclipse was visible on Saturday morning before sunrise over North America. For most location the moon set before full lunar eclipse. Only Alaska and northernmost Canada will be able to witness the entire event.

ContactNorth AmericaUTC
AST
(UTC−9)
PST
(UTC−8)
MST
(UTC−7)
CST
(UTC−6)
EST
(UTC−5)
Penumbral begins (P1)2:34 am3:34 am4:34 am5:34 am6:34 am11:34
Partial begins (U1)3:46 am4:46 am5:46 am6:46 am7:46 am12:46
Totality begins (U2)5:06 am6:06 am7:06 am8:06 am9:06 am14:06
Mid-eclipse5:32 am6:32 am7:32 am8:32 am9:32 am14:32
Totality ends (U3)5:57 am6:57 am7:57 am8:57 am9:57 am14:57
Partial ends (U4)7:18 am8:18 am9:18 am10:18 am11:18 am16:18
Penumbral ends (P4)8:30 am 9:30 am10:30 am11:30 am12:30 pm17:30
(Table entries are given a dark background for invisibility due to moonset)

Related eclipses

Eclipses of 2011

It was preceded by the partial solar eclipse of November 25, 2011.

Half-Saros cycle

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 total solar eclipses of Solar Saros 142.

Lunar year (354 days)

This eclipse is the one of four lunar eclipses in a short-lived series. The lunar year series repeats after 12 lunations or 354 days (shifting back about 10 days in sequential years). Because of the date shift, the Earth's shadow will be about 11 degrees west in sequential events.

See also

External links

Live Webcasts

Notes and References

  1. Mathematical Astronomy Morsels, Jean Meeus, p.110, Chapter 18, The half-saros