A penumbral lunar eclipse occurred at the Moon’s ascending node of orbit on Monday, November 30, 2020,[1] with an umbral magnitude of −0.2602. 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 3.6 days after apogee (on November 26, 2020, at 19:30 UTC), the Moon's apparent diameter was smaller.[2]
| Penumbral eclipse | |||||||||
 Penumbral eclipse as viewed from Minneapolis, MN, 9:24 UTC | |||||||||
| Date | November 30, 2020 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gamma | −1.1309 | ||||||||
| Magnitude | −0.2602 | ||||||||
| Saros cycle | 116 (58 of 73) | ||||||||
| Penumbral | 260 minutes, 59 seconds | ||||||||
| |||||||||
This eclipse was the last of four penumbral lunar eclipses in 2020, with the others occurring on January 10, June 5, and July 5.
Visibility
editThe eclipse was completely visible over northeast Asia and North America, seen rising over east Asia and Australia and setting over South America.[3]
 
|
 Visibility map |
Gallery
edit-
Minneapolis, 1:45 UT and 9:24 UT -
9:40 UT -
Eclipse details
editShown below is a table displaying details about this particular solar eclipse. It describes various parameters pertaining to this eclipse.[4]
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Penumbral Magnitude | 0.83023 |
| Umbral Magnitude | −0.26023 |
| Gamma | −1.13094 |
| Sun Right Ascension | 16h27m40.0s |
| Sun Declination | -21°44'31.0" |
| Sun Semi-Diameter | 16'13.1" |
| Sun Equatorial Horizontal Parallax | 08.9" |
| Moon Right Ascension | 04h28m46.7s |
| Moon Declination | +20°44'46.4" |
| Moon Semi-Diameter | 14'52.4" |
| Moon Equatorial Horizontal Parallax | 0°54'35.1" |
| ΔT | 69.8 s |
Eclipse season
editThis 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.
| November 30 Ascending node (full moon) |
December 14 Descending node (new moon) |
|---|---|
| |
|
| Penumbral lunar eclipse Lunar Saros 116 |
Total solar eclipse Solar Saros 142 |
Related eclipses
editEclipses in 2020
edit- A penumbral lunar eclipse on January 10.
- A penumbral lunar eclipse on June 5.
- An annular solar eclipse on June 21.
- A penumbral lunar eclipse on July 5.
- A penumbral lunar eclipse on November 30.
- A total solar eclipse on December 14.
Metonic
edit- Preceded by: Lunar eclipse of February 11, 2017
- Followed by: Lunar eclipse of September 18, 2024
Tzolkinex
edit- Preceded by: Lunar eclipse of October 18, 2013
- Followed by: Lunar eclipse of January 12, 2028
Half-Saros
edit- Preceded by: Solar eclipse of November 25, 2011
- Followed by: Solar eclipse of December 5, 2029
Tritos
edit- Preceded by: Lunar eclipse of December 31, 2009
- Followed by: Lunar eclipse of October 30, 2031
Lunar Saros 116
edit- Preceded by: Lunar eclipse of November 20, 2002
- Followed by: Lunar eclipse of December 11, 2038
Inex
edit- Preceded by: Lunar eclipse of December 21, 1991
- Followed by: Lunar eclipse of November 9, 2049
Triad
edit- Preceded by: Lunar eclipse of January 30, 1934
- Followed by: Lunar eclipse of October 2, 2107
Lunar eclipses of 2020–2023
edit| Lunar eclipse series sets from 2020–2023 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Descending node | Ascending node | |||||||
| Saros | Date | Type Viewing |
Gamma | Saros | Date Viewing |
Type Chart |
Gamma | |
111
|
2020 Jun 05
|
Penumbral
|
1.24063 | 116
|
2020 Nov 30
|
Penumbral
|
−1.13094 | |
121
|
2021 May 26
|
Total
|
0.47741 | 126
|
2021 Nov 19
|
Partial
|
−0.45525 | |
131
|
2022 May 16
|
Total
|
−0.25324 | 136
|
2022 Nov 08
|
Total
|
0.25703 | |
141
|
2023 May 05
|
Penumbral
|
−1.03495 | 146
|
2023 Oct 28
|
Partial
|
0.94716 | |
| Last set | 2020 Jul 05 | Last set | 2020 Jan 10 | |||||
| Next set | 2024 Mar 25 | Next set | 2024 Sep 18 | |||||
Saros 116
editIt is part of Saros cycle 116.
Half-Saros cycle
editA 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 123.
| November 25, 2011 | December 5, 2029 |
|---|---|
|
|
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "November 29–30, 2020 Penumbral Lunar Eclipse". timeanddate. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
- ^ "Moon Distances for London, United Kingdom, England". timeanddate. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
- ^ "Penumbral Lunar Eclipse of 2020 Nov 30" (PDF). NASA. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
- ^ "Penumbral Lunar Eclipse of 2020 Nov 30". EclipseWise.com. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
- ^ Mathematical Astronomy Morsels, Jean Meeus, p.110, Chapter 18, The half-saros
External links
edit- Saros cycle 116
- 2020 Nov 30 chart: Eclipse Predictions by Fred Espenak, NASA/GSFC
