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Wikipedia / December 2011 lunar eclipse

A total lunar eclipse occurred at the Moon’s descending node of orbit on Saturday, December 10, 2011, with an umbral magnitude of 1.1076. 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 4.8 days after apogee (on December 5, 2011, at 20:10 UTC), the Moon's apparent diameter was smaller.

Visibility

The eclipse was completely visible over east and northern Asia, Australia, and northern North America, seen rising over Europe and east and central Africa, and setting over North America.

Images

Gallery

Asia Australia and Oceania

Europe and Middle East North America

Timing

Times for Australia

The eclipse occurred on Saturday evening in Australia. Eastern Daylight Saving Time: (+11:00 UTC)

  • Penumbral Eclipse Begins: 22:33:32 EDST

  • Partial Eclipse Begins: 23:45:42 EDST

  • Total Eclipse Begins: 01:06:16 EDST

  • Greatest Eclipse: 01:31:49 EDST

  • Total Eclipse Ends: 01:57:24 EDST

  • Partial Eclipse Ends: 03:17:58 EDST

  • Penumbral Eclipse Ends: 04:30:00 EDST

Times for India

The eclipse was visible from India in the evening, given in India Standard Time (UTC+5:30):

  • Penumbral eclipse begins (P1): 17:04 IST

  • Partial eclipse begins (U1): 18:16 IST

  • Total eclipse begins (U2): 19:36 IST

  • Mid-eclipse: 20:02 IST

  • Total eclipse ends (U3): 20:27 IST

  • Partial eclipse ends (U4): 21:48 IST

  • Penumbral eclipse ends (P4): 23:00 IST

Times for North America

The eclipse was visible on Saturday morning before sunrise over North America. For most locations, the moon set before full lunar eclipse. Only Alaska and northernmost Canada will be able to witness the entire event.

Eclipse details

Shown below is a table displaying details about this particular lunar eclipse. It describes various parameters pertaining to this eclipse.

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.

Related eclipses

Eclipses in 2011

Metonic

Tzolkinex

Half-Saros

Tritos

Lunar Saros 135

Inex

Triad

Lunar eclipses of 2009–2013

Saros 135

Tritos series

Inex series

Half-Saros cycle

A lunar eclipse will be preceded and followed by solar eclipses by 9 years and 5.5 days (a half saros). This lunar eclipse is related to two total solar eclipses of Solar Saros 142.

See also

References

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