February 2036 lunar eclipse explained

Type:total
Date:February 11, 2036
Gamma:−0.3110
Magnitude:1.3007
Saros Ser:124
Saros No:50 of 74
Totality:72 minutes, 8 seconds
Partiality:200 minutes, 53 seconds
Penumbral:314 minutes, 45 seconds
P1:19:35:03
U1:20:32:09
U2:21:35:51
Greatest:22:13:06
U3:22:50:21
U4:23:54:03
P4:0:51:09
Previous:August 2035
Next:August 2036

A total lunar eclipse will occur at the Moon’s ascending node of orbit on Monday, February 11, 2036,[1] with an umbral magnitude of 1.3007. A lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon moves into the Earth's shadow, causing the Moon to be darkened. A total lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon's near side entirely passes into the Earth's umbral shadow. 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. A total lunar eclipse can last up to nearly two hours, while a total solar eclipse lasts only a few minutes at any given place, because the Moon's shadow is smaller. Occurring about 1.2 days after perigee (on February 10, 2036, at 16:00 UTC), the Moon's apparent diameter will be larger.[2]

This lunar eclipse will be the first of an almost tetrad, with the others being on August 7, 2036 (total); January 31, 2037 (total); and July 27, 2037 (partial).

Visibility

The eclipse will be completely visible over Africa, Europe, and west, central, and south Asia, seen rising over much of North and South America and setting over east Asia and 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 11, 2036 Lunar Eclipse Parameters! Parameter! Value
Penumbral Magnitude2.27624
Umbral Magnitude1.30065
Gamma−0.31098
Sun Right Ascension21h40m25.4s
Sun Declination-13°55'30.0"
Sun Semi-Diameter16'12.3"
Sun Equatorial Horizontal Parallax08.9"
Moon Right Ascension09h40m07.3s
Moon Declination+13°37'03.4"
Moon Semi-Diameter16'36.7"
Moon Equatorial Horizontal Parallax1°00'57.8"
ΔT77.0 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 2036

Metonic

Tzolkinex

Half-Saros

Tritos

Lunar Saros 124

Inex

Triad

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 131.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: February 11–12, 2036 Total Lunar Eclipse (Blood Moon). timeanddate. 29 November 2024.
  2. Web site: Moon Distances for London, United Kingdom, England. timeanddate. 29 November 2024.
  3. Web site: Total Lunar Eclipse of 2036 Feb 11. NASA. 29 November 2024.
  4. Web site: Total Lunar Eclipse of 2036 Feb 11. EclipseWise.com. 29 November 2024.
  5. Mathematical Astronomy Morsels, Jean Meeus, p.110, Chapter 18, The half-saros