February 2027 lunar eclipse explained

Type:penumbral
Date:February 20, 2027
Gamma:−1.0480
Magnitude:−0.0549
Saros Ser:143
Saros No:19 of 73
Penumbral:240 minutes, 59 seconds
P1:21:12:20
Greatest:23:12:51
P4:1:13:19
Previous:August 2026
Next:July 2027

A penumbral lunar eclipse will occur at the Moon’s descending node of orbit on Saturday, February 20, 2027,[1] with an umbral magnitude of −0.0549. 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 1.5 days after perigee (on February 19, 2027, at 11:45 UTC), the Moon's apparent diameter will be larger.[2]

Visibility

The eclipse will be completely visible over Africa, Europe, and west, central, and south Asia, seen rising over North and South America and setting over east Asia and western Australia.[3]

Eclipse details

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

February 20, 2027 Lunar Eclipse Parameters! Parameter! Value
Penumbral Magnitude0.92861
Umbral Magnitude−0.05491
Gamma−1.04803
Sun Right Ascension22h16m18.3s
Sun Declination-10°43'53.9"
Sun Semi-Diameter16'10.5"
Sun Equatorial Horizontal Parallax08.9"
Moon Right Ascension10h14m23.7s
Moon Declination+09°47'16.6"
Moon Semi-Diameter16'26.8"
Moon Equatorial Horizontal Parallax1°00'21.6"
ΔT72.5 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 2027

Metonic

Tzolkinex

Half-Saros

Tritos

Lunar Saros 143

Inex

Triad

Saros 143

It is part of Saros cycle 143.

Metonic series

This is the last of five Metonic lunar eclipses.

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 150.

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: February 20–21, 2027 Penumbral Lunar Eclipse. timeanddate. 19 November 2024.
  2. Web site: Moon Distances for London, United Kingdom, England. timeanddate. 19 November 2024.
  3. Web site: Penumbral Lunar Eclipse of 2027 Feb 20. NASA. 19 November 2024.
  4. Web site: Penumbral Lunar Eclipse of 2027 Feb 20. EclipseWise.com. 19 November 2024.
  5. Mathematical Astronomy Morsels, Jean Meeus, p.110, Chapter 18, The half-saros