January 2020 lunar eclipse explained

Type:penumbral
Date:January 10, 2020
Gamma:1.0726
Magnitude:−0.1146
Saros Ser:144
Saros No:16 of 71
Penumbral:244 minutes, 34 seconds
P1:17:07:45
Greatest:19:09:59
P4:21:12:19
Previous:July 2019
Next:June 2020

A penumbral lunar eclipse occurred at the Moon’s ascending node of orbit on Friday, January 10, 2020,[1] with an umbral magnitude of −0.1146. A lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon moves into the Earth's shadow, causing the Moon to be darkened. A penumbral lunar eclipse occurs when part or all of the Moon's near side passes into the Earth's penumbra. Unlike a solar eclipse, which can only be viewed from a relatively small area of the world, a lunar eclipse may be viewed from anywhere on the night side of Earth. Occurring about 2.8 days before perigee (on January 13, 2020, at 15:20 UTC), the Moon's apparent diameter was larger.[2]

This eclipse was the first of four penumbral lunar eclipses in 2020, with the others occurring on June 5, July 5, and November 30.

Visibility

The eclipse was completely visible over east Africa, Europe, and Asia, seen rising over the west Africa and northern North America and setting over Australia and the central Pacific Ocean.[3]

Eclipse details

Shown below is a table displaying details about this particular solar eclipse. It describes various parameters pertaining to this eclipse.[4]

January 10, 2020 Lunar Eclipse Parameters! Parameter! Value
Penumbral Magnitude0.89692
Umbral Magnitude−0.11460
Gamma1.07270
Sun Right Ascension19h26m32.0s
Sun Declination-21°56'49.6"
Sun Semi-Diameter16'15.9"
Sun Equatorial Horizontal Parallax08.9"
Moon Right Ascension07h26m45.8s
Moon Declination+23°00'02.8"
Moon Semi-Diameter16'04.8"
Moon Equatorial Horizontal Parallax0°59'00.8"
ΔT69.5 s

Eclipse season

See also: Eclipse cycle. This eclipse is part of an eclipse season, a period, roughly every six months, when eclipses occur. Only two (or occasionally three) eclipse seasons occur each year, and each season lasts about 35 days and repeats just short of six months (173 days) later; thus two full eclipse seasons always occur each year. Either two or three eclipses happen each eclipse season. In the sequence below, each eclipse is separated by a fortnight.

Related eclipses

Eclipses in 2020

Metonic

Tzolkinex

Half-Saros

Tritos

Lunar Saros 144

Inex

Triad

Saros 144

It is part of Saros cycle 144.

Half-Saros cycle

A lunar eclipse will be preceded and followed by solar eclipses by 9 years and 5.5 days (a half saros).[5] This lunar eclipse is related to two partial solar eclipses of Solar Saros 151.

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: January 10–11, 2020 Penumbral Lunar Eclipse. timeanddate. 17 November 2024.
  2. Web site: Moon Distances for London, United Kingdom, England. timeanddate. 17 November 2024.
  3. Web site: Penumbral Lunar Eclipse of 2020 Jan 10. NASA. 17 November 2024.
  4. Web site: Penumbral Lunar Eclipse of 2020 Jan 10. EclipseWise.com. 17 November 2024.
  5. Mathematical Astronomy Morsels, Jean Meeus, p.110, Chapter 18, The half-saros