July 2038 lunar eclipse explained

Type:penumbral
Date:July 16, 2038
Gamma:−1.2837
Magnitude:−0.4938
Saros Ser:149
Saros No:4 of 72
Penumbral:192 minutes, 27 seconds
P1:9:58:13
Greatest:11:35:56
P4:13:10:40
Previous:June 2038
Next:December 2038

A penumbral lunar eclipse will occur at the Moon’s descending node of orbit on Friday, July 16, 2038,[1] with an umbral magnitude of −0.4938. 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 4.9 days before perigee (on July 11, 2038, at 15:35 UTC), the Moon's apparent diameter will be larger.[2]

This eclipse will be the third of four penumbral lunar eclipses in 2038, with the others occurring on January 21, June 17, and December 11.

Visibility

The eclipse will be completely visible over Australia, Antarctica, and the Pacific Ocean, seen rising over east Asia and setting over North and South America.[3]

Eclipse details

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

July 16, 2038 Lunar Eclipse Parameters! Parameter! Value
Penumbral Magnitude0.50125
Umbral Magnitude−0.49383
Gamma−1.28381
Sun Right Ascension07h43m47.7s
Sun Declination+21°17'34.6"
Sun Semi-Diameter15'44.2"
Sun Equatorial Horizontal Parallax08.7"
Moon Right Ascension19h44m13.1s
Moon Declination-22°31'51.1"
Moon Semi-Diameter15'48.9"
Moon Equatorial Horizontal Parallax0°58'02.4"
ΔT78.3 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. The first and last eclipse in this sequence is separated by one synodic month.

Related eclipses

Eclipses in 2038

Metonic

Tzolkinex

Half-Saros

Tritos

Lunar Saros 149

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 156.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: July 16, 2038 Penumbral Lunar Eclipse. timeanddate. 29 November 2024.
  2. Web site: Moon Distances for London, United Kingdom, England. timeanddate. 29 November 2024.
  3. Web site: Penumbral Lunar Eclipse of 2038 Jul 16. NASA. 29 November 2024.
  4. Web site: Penumbral Lunar Eclipse of 2038 Jul 16. EclipseWise.com. 29 November 2024.
  5. Mathematical Astronomy Morsels, Jean Meeus, p.110, Chapter 18, The half-saros