November 2012 lunar eclipse explained

Type:penumbral
Date:November 28, 2012
Gamma:−1.0869
Magnitude:−0.1859
Saros Ser:145
Saros No:11 of 71
Penumbral:276 minutes, 0 seconds
P1:12:14:59
Greatest:14:32:59
P4:16:50:59
Previous:June 2012
Next:April 2013

A penumbral lunar eclipse occurred at the Moon’s descending node of orbit on Wednesday, November 28, 2012,[1] with an umbral magnitude of −0.1859. 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 only about 3 minutes before apogee (on November 28, 2012, at 14:36 UTC), the Moon's apparent diameter was smaller.[2]

Visibility

The eclipse was completely visible over much of Asia and Australia, seen rising over Europe, the Middle East, and east Africa and setting over North America and the eastern Pacific Ocean.[3]

Images

Eclipse details

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

November 28, 2012 Lunar Eclipse Parameters! Parameter! Value
Penumbral Magnitude0.91685
Umbral Magnitude−0.18589
Gamma−1.08693
Sun Right Ascension16h19m43.5s
Sun Declination-21°26'15.1"
Sun Semi-Diameter16'12.8"
Sun Equatorial Horizontal Parallax08.9"
Moon Right Ascension04h20m01.1s
Moon Declination+20°27'44.7"
Moon Semi-Diameter14'42.2"
Moon Equatorial Horizontal Parallax0°53'57.7"
ΔT66.9 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 2012

Metonic

Tzolkinex

Half-Saros

Tritos

Lunar Saros 145

Inex

Triad

Lunar eclipses of 2009–2013

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.

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 total solar eclipses of Solar Saros 152.

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: November 28–29, 2012 Penumbral Lunar Eclipse. timeanddate. 15 November 2024.
  2. Web site: Moon Distances for London, United Kingdom, England. timeanddate. 15 November 2024.
  3. Web site: Penumbral Lunar Eclipse of 2012 Nov 28. NASA. 15 November 2024.
  4. Web site: Penumbral Lunar Eclipse of 2012 Nov 28. EclipseWise.com. 15 November 2024.
  5. Mathematical Astronomy Morsels, Jean Meeus, p.110, Chapter 18, The half-saros