May 1976 lunar eclipse

A partial lunar eclipse took place on Thursday, May 13, 1976, the first of two lunar eclipses in 1976, the second being a penumbral lunar eclipse on November 6, 1976. At maximum eclipse, a small bite out of the Moon should have been visible. The eclipse lasted for 1 hour, 15 minutes and 23.8 seconds, with just 12.17% of the Moon in shadow at maximum. Occurring only 1.1 days after perigee (Perigee on Wednesday, May 12, 1976), the Moon's apparent diameter 5.4% larger than average.[1]

May 1976 lunar eclipse
Partial eclipse
Date13 May 1976
Gamma0.95860
Magnitude0.12170
Saros cycle140 (23 of 79)
Partiality75 minutes, 23.8 seconds
Penumbral251 minutes, 54.4 seconds
Contacts (UTC)
P117:48:22.8
U119:16:36.2
Greatest19:54:21.1
U420:32:00.0
P422:00:17.2

Eclipse season

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This is the second eclipse this season.

First eclipse this season: Annular solar eclipse of April 29, 1976

Saros series

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Lunar Saros 140, repeating every 18 years and 11 days, has a total of 77 lunar eclipse events including 28 total lunar eclipses. This is the 22nd member of Lunar Saros 140. The previous event was the May 1958 lunar eclipse. The next event is the May 1994 lunar eclipse.

Previous event: Partial Lunar Eclipse on Saturday, May 3, 1958

This event: Partial Lunar Eclipse on Thursday, May 13, 1976

Next event: Partial Lunar Eclipse on Wednesday, May 25, 1994

Visibility

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It was completely visible over South America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia, seen rising over South America, Europe and Africa, and setting over Asia and Australia. At the greatest eclipse about 12.17% of the Moon was covered by the Earth's shadow.

 

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Eclipses in 1976

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Lunar year series

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Lunar eclipse series sets from 1973–1976
Ascending node   Descending node
Saros Date
Viewing
Type
Chart
Gamma Saros Date
Viewing
Type
Chart
Gamma
110 1973 Jun 15
 
Penumbral
 
−1.32166 115 1973 Dec 10
 
Partial
 
0.96441
120 1974 Jun 04
 
Partial
 
−0.54887 125 1974 Nov 29
 
Total
 
0.30540
130 1975 May 25
 
Total
 
0.23674 135 1975 Nov 18
 
Total
 
−0.41343
140 1976 May 13
 
Partial
 
0.95860 145 1976 Nov 06
 
Penumbral
 
−1.12760
Last set 1973 Jul 15 Last set 1973 Jan 18
Next set 1977 Apr 04 Next set 1977 Sep 27

Half-Saros cycle

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A lunar eclipse will be preceded and followed by solar eclipses by 9 years and 5.5 days (a half saros).[2] This lunar eclipse is related to two partial solar eclipses of Solar Saros 147.

May 9, 1967 May 19, 1985
   

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ Hermit Eclipse: Saros cycle 140
  2. ^ Mathematical Astronomy Morsels, Jean Meeus, p.110, Chapter 18, The half-saros
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