A total eclipse of the Moon occurs on Tuesday 16 December, 2206 UT, with maximum eclipse at 08:11 UT. A dramatic total eclipse lasting 1 hour and 40 minutes will plunge the full Moon into deep darkness, as it passes right through the centre of the Earth's umbral shadow. While the visual effect of a total eclipse is variable, the Moon may be stained a deep orange or red colour at maximum eclipse. This will be a great spectacle for everyone who sees it. The partial eclipse will last for 3 hours and 50 minutes in total.
The penumbral eclipse lasts for 6 hours and 10 minutes.
The partial eclipse lasts for 3 hours and 50 minutes.
The total eclipse lasts for 1 hour and 40 minutes.
Maximum eclipse is at 08:11:29 UT.
During this eclipse the Moon will be just 4 days past apogee, making it fairly small.
At maximum eclipse it will be 0.505° in apparent
diameter, which is 4.9% 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 maximum eclipse,
when it will be visible within the bright area on the map. 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. 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)
shows the visibility of the eclipse. (Click on it for the
full-sized version.)
Eclipse Season and Saros Series
This eclipse season contains 3 eclipses:
This is the 39th eclipse in lunar Saros series 138.The surrounding eclipses in this Saros series are:
This Saros series, lunar Saros series 138,
is linked to solar Saros series 145. The
nearest partner eclipses in that series are:
Eclipse Parameters
| UT Date/time (max) | 08:11:29 on 16 Dec UT |
TDT Date/time (max) | 08:19:07 on 16 Dec TDT |
| Saros Series | 138 |
Number in Series | 39 |
| Penumbral Magnitiude | 2.6685 |
Central Magnitiude | 1.5802 |
| Gamma | 0.1275 |
Path Width (km) | |
| Delta T | 7m38s |
Error | ± 4m54s (95%) |
| Penumbral Duration | 6h10m |
Partial Duration | 3h50m |
| Total Duration | 1h40m |
| |
| Partial Rating | |
Total Rating | |
| Sun Distance | 147293321 km (4.1%) |
Moon Distance | 400284 km (87.2%) |
| Sun Diameter | 0.541° |
Moon Diameter | 0.497° - 0.505° |
| Apogee | 12:51 on 12 Dec UT |
Perigee | 12:08 on 28 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)
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 22:11:47 UTC.
