Timezone / Date

You have not selected a timezone for eclipse timings, so all times are shown in UT (essentially GMT).

Accuracy

Due to the erratic rotation of the Earth, the time and location of the eclipse cannot be forecast perfectly. This eclipse's time is estimated to be accurate ± 0m11s (with 95% confidence). This equates to an error in longitude of ± 0.049 degrees, or around ± 5 km (3.1 miles) at the latitude of greatest eclipse.

A total eclipse of the Moon occurs on Thursday 20 December, 2029 UT, lasting from 19:42 on 20 Dec–01:40 on 21 Dec UT. A shallow total eclipse will see the Moon in relative darkness for 53 minutes and 42 seconds. The Moon will be 12% of its diameter into the Earth's umbral shadow, and should be significantly darkened for viewers in eastern North and South America, all of Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, and most of Asia. The partial eclipse will last for 3 hours and 33 minutes in total.

The timings of the phases of the eclipse are as follows. You will be able to see each phase of the eclipse if the Moon is up at the corresponding time as seen from your location; however the penumbral phase will be very difficult to see in practice, so you may want to start watching at the partial phase:

Penumbral eclipse begins: 19:42:53 UT
Partial eclipse begins: 20:55:17 UT
Total eclipse begins: 22:15:05 UT
Maximum eclipse: 22:41:54 UT
Total eclipse ends: 23:08:45 UT
Partial eclipse ends: 00:28:34 on 21 Dec UT
Penumbral eclipse ends: 01:40:51 on 21 Dec UT

During this eclipse the Moon will be just 4 days past apogee, making it fairly small. At maximum eclipse it will be 0.508° in apparent diameter, which is 4.3% smaller than average. The statistics page has information on the ranges of the sizes of the Sun and Moon, and the Moon data page displays detailed information on the Moon's key dates.

Interactive Map

This map shows the visibility of the eclipse at various stages. The bright area in the middle will see the whole eclipse; the coloured bands to the right will see the start of the eclipse, and those on the left will see the end. Note that the map is approximate, and if you are near the edge of the area of visibility, the moon will be very close to the horizon and may not be practically visible.

You can use the zoom controls to zoom in and out, and pan to see areas of interest. Hover your mouse over the tags to see what will be visible from each area on the map. The green marker in the centre shows where the Moon will be directly overhead at maximum eclipse.

The interactive map is currently not available.

Overview Map

This map sourced from NASA Goddard Space flight Center: GSFC Eclipse Web SiteGSFC Eclipse Web Site
The primary source of all the information on eclipses presented here at Hermit Eclipse. (NASA Goddard Space flight Center)
https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse.html shows the visibility of the eclipse. (Click on it for the full-sized version.)

Eclipse Season and Saros Series

This eclipse season contains 2 eclipses:

This is the 24th eclipse in lunar Saros series 135.The surrounding eclipses in this Saros series are:

This Saros series, lunar Saros series 135, is linked to solar Saros series 142. The nearest partner eclipses in that series are:

Eclipse Parameters

UT Date/time (max) 22:41:54 on 20 Dec UT TDT Date/time (max) 22:43:12 on 20 Dec TDT
Saros Series 135 Number in Series 24
Penumbral Magnitiude 2.2008 Central Magnitiude 1.1174
Gamma -0.3811 Path Width (km)
Delta T 1m18s Error ± 0m11s (95%)
Penumbral Duration 5h58m Partial Duration 3h33m
Total Duration 53m42s
Partial Rating Total Rating
Sun Distance 147167997 km (1.5%) Moon Distance 398129 km (83.0%)
Sun Diameter 0.542° Moon Diameter 0.500° - 0.508°
Apogee 13:59 on 16 Dec UT Perigee 15:34 on 1 Jan UT
Contact p1 19:42:53 on 20 Dec UT Contact p2
Contact u1 20:55:17 on 20 Dec UT Contact u2 22:15:05 on 20 Dec UT
Max eclipse 22:41:54 on 20 Dec UT
Contact u3 23:08:45 on 20 Dec UT Contact u4 00:28:34 on 21 Dec UT
Contact p3 Contact p4 01:40:51 on 21 Dec UT

Note that while all dates and times on this site (except where noted) are in UT, which is within a second of civil time, the dates and times shown in NASA's eclipse listingsGSFC Eclipse Web Site
The primary source of all the information on eclipses presented here at Hermit Eclipse. (NASA Goddard Space flight Center)
https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse.html are in the TDT timescale.

The Sun and Moon distances are shown in km, and as a percentage of their minimum - maximum distances; hence 0% is the closest possible (Earth's perihelion, or the Moon's closest possible perigee) and 100% is the farthest (aphelion, the farthest apogee). The statistics page has information on the ranges of sizes of the Sun and Moon, and the Moon data page displays detailed information on the Moon's key dates.

Data last updated: 2015-06-21 22:11:46 UTC.