| Date | November 6, 1976 |
|---|---|
| Gamma | −1.1276 |
| Magnitude | −0.2593 |
| Saros ser | 145 |
| Saros no | 9 of 71 |
| Penumbral | 265 minutes, 47 seconds |
| P 1 | 20:48:18 |
| Greatest | 23:01:12 |
| P 4 | 1:14:05 |
| Previous | May 1976 |
| Next | April 1977 |
A penumbral lunar eclipse occurred at the Moon’s descending node of orbit on Saturday, November 6, 1976,[1] with an umbral magnitude of −0.2593. 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 only about 8 hours after apogee (on November 6, 1976, at 14:40 UTC), the Moon's apparent diameter was smaller.[2]
Visibility
The eclipse was completely visible over Africa, Europe, and west and central Asia, seen rising over North and South America and setting over east, northeast, and south Asia and western Australia.[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 | 0.83827 |
| Umbral Magnitude | −0.25934 |
| Gamma | −1.12760 |
| Sun Right Ascension | 14h48m49.1s |
| Sun Declination | -16°14'19.9" |
| Sun Semi-Diameter | 16'08.5" |
| Sun Equatorial Horizontal Parallax | 08.9" |
| Moon Right Ascension | 02h49m39.2s |
| Moon Declination | +15°14'41.2" |
| Moon Semi-Diameter | 14'42.3" |
| Moon Equatorial Horizontal Parallax | 0°53'58.2" |
| ΔT | 47.4 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.
| October 23 Ascending node (new moon) | November 6 Descending node (full moon) |
|---|---|
| Total solar eclipse Solar Saros 133 | Penumbral lunar eclipse Lunar Saros 145 |
Related eclipses
Eclipses in 1976
- An annular solar eclipse on April 29.
- A partial lunar eclipse on May 13.
- A total solar eclipse on October 23.
- A penumbral lunar eclipse on November 6.
Metonic
- Preceded by: Lunar eclipse of January 18, 1973
- Followed by: Lunar eclipse of August 26, 1980
Tzolkinex
- Preceded by: Lunar eclipse of September 25, 1969
- Followed by: Lunar eclipse of December 20, 1983
Half-Saros
- Preceded by: Solar eclipse of November 2, 1967
- Followed by: Solar eclipse of November 12, 1985
Tritos
- Preceded by: Lunar eclipse of December 8, 1965
- Followed by: Lunar eclipse of October 7, 1987
Lunar Saros 145
- Preceded by: Lunar eclipse of October 27, 1958
- Followed by: Lunar eclipse of November 18, 1994
Inex
- Preceded by: Lunar eclipse of November 28, 1947
- Followed by: Lunar eclipse of October 17, 2005
Triad
- Preceded by: Lunar eclipse of January 6, 1890
- Followed by: Lunar eclipse of September 7, 2063
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 152.
| November 2, 1967 | November 12, 1985 |
|---|---|
See also
Notes
- ^ "November 6–7, 1976 Penumbral Lunar Eclipse". timeanddate. Retrieved 4 January 2025.
- ^ "Moon Distances for London, United Kingdom, England". timeanddate. Retrieved 4 January 2025.
- ^ "Penumbral Lunar Eclipse of 1976 Nov 06". NASA. Retrieved 4 January 2025.
- ^ "Penumbral Lunar Eclipse of 1976 Nov 06". EclipseWise.com. Retrieved 4 January 2025.
- ^ Mathematical Astronomy Morsels, Jean Meeus, p.110, Chapter 18, The half-saros