| Date | October 8, 1995 |
|---|---|
| Gamma | 1.1179 |
| Magnitude | −0.2115 |
| Saros ser | 117 |
| Saros no | 51 of 72 |
| Penumbral | 247 minutes, 37 seconds |
| P 1 | 14:00:20 |
| Greatest | 16:04:11 |
| P 4 | 18:07:56 |
| Previous | April 1995 |
| Next | April 1996 |
A penumbral lunar eclipse occurred at the Moon’s descending node of orbit on Sunday, October 8, 1995,[1] with an umbral magnitude of −0.2115. 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 6.5 days before apogee (on October 15, 1995, at 3:05 UTC), the Moon's apparent diameter was smaller.[2]
Visibility
The eclipse was completely visible over Asia and Australia, seen rising over much of Africa and Europe and setting over northwestern North America and the central Pacific Ocean.[3]
Eclipse details
Shown below is a table displaying details about this particular lunar eclipse. It describes various parameters pertaining to this eclipse.[4]
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Penumbral Magnitude | 0.82527 |
| Umbral Magnitude | −0.21146 |
| Gamma | 1.11794 |
| Sun Right Ascension | 12h54m53.0s |
| Sun Declination | -05°52'15.5" |
| Sun Semi-Diameter | 16'00.5" |
| Sun Equatorial Horizontal Parallax | 08.8" |
| Moon Right Ascension | 00h53m37.8s |
| Moon Declination | +06°52'47.3" |
| Moon Semi-Diameter | 15'26.5" |
| Moon Equatorial Horizontal Parallax | 0°56'40.2" |
| ΔT | 61.4 s |
Eclipse season
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.
| October 8 Descending node (full moon) | October 24 Ascending node (new moon) |
|---|---|
| Penumbral lunar eclipse Lunar Saros 117 | Total solar eclipse Solar Saros 143 |
Related eclipses
Eclipses in 1995
- A partial lunar eclipse on April 15.
- An annular solar eclipse on April 29.
- A penumbral lunar eclipse on October 8.
- A total solar eclipse on October 24.
Metonic
- Preceded by: Lunar eclipse of December 21, 1991
- Followed by: Lunar eclipse of July 28, 1999
Tzolkinex
- Preceded by: Lunar eclipse of August 27, 1988
- Followed by: Lunar eclipse of November 20, 2002
Half-Saros
- Preceded by: Solar eclipse of October 3, 1986
- Followed by: Solar eclipse of October 14, 2004
Tritos
- Preceded by: Lunar eclipse of November 8, 1984
- Followed by: Lunar eclipse of September 7, 2006
Lunar Saros 117
- Preceded by: Lunar eclipse of September 27, 1977
- Followed by: Lunar eclipse of October 18, 2013
Inex
- Preceded by: Lunar eclipse of October 29, 1966
- Followed by: Lunar eclipse of September 18, 2024
Triad
- Preceded by: Lunar eclipse of December 7, 1908
- Followed by: Lunar eclipse of August 8, 2082
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 solar eclipses of Solar Saros 124.
| October 3, 1986 | October 14, 2004 |
|---|---|
See also
References
- ^ "October 8–9, 1995 Penumbral Lunar Eclipse". timeanddate. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
- ^ "Moon Distances for London, United Kingdom, England". timeanddate. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
- ^ "Penumbral Lunar Eclipse of 1995 Oct 08". NASA. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
- ^ "Penumbral Lunar Eclipse of 1995 Oct 08". EclipseWise.com. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
- ^ Mathematical Astronomy Morsels, Jean Meeus, p.110, Chapter 18, The half-saros