May 2031 lunar eclipse explained

Type:penumbral
Date:May 7, 2031
Gamma:−1.0694
Magnitude:−0.0892
Saros Ser:112
Saros No:66 of 72
Penumbral:237 minutes, 21 seconds
P1:1:52:06
Greatest:3:41:03
P4:5:49:27
Previous:December 2030
Next:June 2031

A penumbral lunar eclipse will occur at the Moon’s ascending node of orbit on Wednesday, May 7, 2031,[1] with an umbral magnitude of −0.0892. 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 2 days before perigee (on May 9, 2031, at 3:35 UTC), the Moon's apparent diameter will be larger.[2]

Visibility

The eclipse will be completely visible over eastern North America, South America, Antarctica, and west Africa, seen rising over western North America and the eastern Pacific Ocean and setting over Africa, Europe, and the Middle East.[3]

Eclipse details

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

May 7, 2031 Lunar Eclipse Parameters! Parameter! Value
Penumbral Magnitude0.88267
Umbral Magnitude−0.08921
Gamma−1.06949
Sun Right Ascension02h55m49.7s
Sun Declination+16°44'40.2"
Sun Semi-Diameter15'51.2"
Sun Equatorial Horizontal Parallax08.7"
Moon Right Ascension14h54m58.0s
Moon Declination-17°47'29.4"
Moon Semi-Diameter16'18.7"
Moon Equatorial Horizontal Parallax0°59'52.0"
ΔT74.5 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. The first and last eclipse in this sequence is separated by one synodic month.

Related eclipses

Eclipses in 2031

Metonic

Tzolkinex

Half-Saros

Tritos

Lunar Saros 112

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 partial solar eclipses of Solar Saros 119.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: May 6–7, 2031 Penumbral Lunar Eclipse. timeanddate. 21 November 2024.
  2. Web site: Moon Distances for London, United Kingdom, England. timeanddate. 21 November 2024.
  3. Web site: Penumbral Lunar Eclipse of 2031 May 07. NASA. 21 November 2024.
  4. Web site: Penumbral Lunar Eclipse of 2031 May 07. EclipseWise.com. 21 November 2024.
  5. Mathematical Astronomy Morsels, Jean Meeus, p.110, Chapter 18, The half-saros