| Date | November 29, 1974 |
|---|---|
| Gamma | 0.3054 |
| Magnitude | 1.2896 |
| Saros ser | 125 |
| Saros no | 46 of 72 |
| Totality | 75 minutes, 45 seconds |
| Partiality | 208 minutes, 57 seconds |
| Penumbral | 333 minutes, 4 seconds |
| P 1 | 12:26:47 |
| U 1 | 13:28:55 |
| U 2 | 14:35:31 |
| Greatest | 15:13:22 |
| U 3 | 15:51:15 |
| U 4 | 16:57:52 |
| P 4 | 17:59:52 |
| Previous | June 1974 |
| Next | May 1975 |
A total lunar eclipse occurred at the Moon’s descending node of orbit on Friday, November 29, 1974,[1] with an umbral magnitude of 1.2896. 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 3.6 days before perigee (on December 3, 1974, at 6:40 UTC), the Moon's apparent diameter was larger.[2]
Visibility
The eclipse was completely visible over Asia, Australia, and Alaska, seen rising over much of Africa, Europe, and the Middle East and setting over much of North America and the eastern Pacific Ocean.[3]
Eclipse details
Shown below is a table displaying details about this particular solar eclipse. It describes various parameters pertaining to this eclipse.[4]
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Penumbral Magnitude | 2.30575 |
| Umbral Magnitude | 1.28961 |
| Gamma | 0.30540 |
| Sun Right Ascension | 16h20m46.5s |
| Sun Declination | -21°29'03.2" |
| Sun Semi-Diameter | 16'13.0" |
| Sun Equatorial Horizontal Parallax | 08.9" |
| Moon Right Ascension | 04h20m41.2s |
| Moon Declination | +21°46'53.8" |
| Moon Semi-Diameter | 15'57.5" |
| Moon Equatorial Horizontal Parallax | 0°58'34.1" |
| ΔT | 45.3 s |
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.
| November 29 Descending node (full moon) | December 13 Ascending node (new moon) |
|---|---|
| Total lunar eclipse Lunar Saros 125 | Partial solar eclipse Solar Saros 151 |
Related eclipses
Eclipses in 1974
- A partial lunar eclipse on June 4.
- A total solar eclipse on June 20.
- A total lunar eclipse on November 29.
- A partial solar eclipse on December 13.
Metonic
- Preceded by: Lunar eclipse of February 10, 1971
- Followed by: Lunar eclipse of September 16, 1978
Tzolkinex
- Preceded by: Lunar eclipse of October 18, 1967
- Followed by: Lunar eclipse of January 9, 1982
Half-Saros
- Preceded by: Solar eclipse of November 23, 1965
- Followed by: Solar eclipse of December 4, 1983
Tritos
- Preceded by: Lunar eclipse of December 30, 1963
- Followed by: Lunar eclipse of October 28, 1985
Lunar Saros 125
- Preceded by: Lunar eclipse of November 18, 1956
- Followed by: Lunar eclipse of December 9, 1992
Inex
- Preceded by: Lunar eclipse of December 19, 1945
- Followed by: Lunar eclipse of November 9, 2003
Triad
- Preceded by: Lunar eclipse of January 28, 1888
- Followed by: Lunar eclipse of September 29, 2061
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 annular solar eclipses of Solar Saros 132.
| November 23, 1965 | December 4, 1983 |
|---|---|
See also
Notes
- ^ "November 29–30, 1974 Total Lunar Eclipse (Blood Moon)". timeanddate. Retrieved 4 January 2025.
- ^ "Moon Distances for London, United Kingdom, England". timeanddate. Retrieved 4 January 2025.
- ^ "Total Lunar Eclipse of 1974 Nov 29". NASA. Retrieved 4 January 2025.
- ^ "Total Lunar Eclipse of 1974 Nov 29". EclipseWise.com. Retrieved 4 January 2025.
- ^ Mathematical Astronomy Morsels, Jean Meeus, p.110, Chapter 18, The half-saros