What does the eclipse of the moon mean. What is a lunar eclipse and how does it happen? What are lunar eclipses

Solar eclipse- an astronomical phenomenon, which consists in the fact that the Moon closes (eclipses) the Sun completely or partially from an observer on Earth. A solar eclipse is possible only on new moons, when the side of the Moon facing the Earth is not illuminated, and the Moon itself is not visible. Eclipses are possible only if the new moon occurs near one of the two lunar nodes (the point of intersection of the visible orbits of the Moon and the Sun), no more than about 12 degrees from one of them. The moon's shadow on the earth's surface does not exceed 270 km in diameter, so a solar eclipse is observed only in a narrow band along the path of the shadow. As the moon turns elliptical orbit, the distance between the Earth and the Moon at the moment of an eclipse can be different, respectively, the diameter of the spot of the moon's shadow on the surface of the Earth can vary widely from maximum to zero (when the top of the cone of the moon's shadow does not reach the surface of the Earth). If the observer is in the shadow band, he sees a total solar eclipse in which the Moon completely hides the Sun, the sky darkens, and planets and bright stars can appear on it.

Around the solar disk hidden by the Moon, one can observe the solar corona, which is not visible under the usual bright light of the Sun. When the eclipse is observed by a stationary ground observer, the total phase lasts no more than a few minutes. The minimum speed of the lunar shadow on the earth's surface is just over 1 km/s. During a total solar eclipse, astronauts in orbit can observe the moving shadow of the Moon on the Earth's surface.

Observers close to the total eclipse may see it as a partial solar eclipse. During a partial eclipse, the Moon passes across the disk of the Sun not exactly in the center, hiding only part of it. In this case, the sky darkens much weaker than during a total eclipse, the stars do not appear. A partial eclipse can be observed at a distance of about two thousand kilometers from the zone of total eclipse.

The totality of a solar eclipse is also expressed by the phase Ф. The maximum phase of a partial eclipse is usually expressed in hundredths of unity, where 1 is the total phase of the eclipse. The full phase can be more than one, for example 1.01, if the diameter of the visible lunar disk is greater than the diameter of the visible solar disk. Partial phases have a value less than 1. At the edge of the lunar penumbra, the phase is 0.

The moment when the leading / trailing edge of the Moon's disk touches the edge of the Sun is called touchdown. The first contact is the moment when the Moon enters the disk of the Sun (the beginning of the eclipse, its partial phase). The last touch (the fourth in the case of a total eclipse) is the last moment of the eclipse, when the moon leaves the disk of the Sun. In the event of a total eclipse, the second touch is the moment when the front of the Moon, having passed all over the Sun, begins to exit the disk. A total solar eclipse occurs between the second and third touches.

According to astronomical classification, if an eclipse at least somewhere on the surface of the Earth can be observed as total, it is called total. If the eclipse can only be observed as a partial eclipse (this happens when the cone of the moon's shadow passes near the earth's surface, but does not touch it), the eclipse is classified as partial. When an observer is in the shadow of the moon, he observes a total solar eclipse. When he is in the penumbra, he can observe a partial solar eclipse. In addition to full and private solar eclipses, there are annular eclipses. An annular eclipse occurs when, at the time of the eclipse, the Moon is at a greater distance from the Earth than during a total eclipse, and the shadow cone passes over the earth's surface without reaching it. Visually, during an annular eclipse, the Moon passes over the disk of the Sun, but it turns out to be smaller than the Sun in diameter, and cannot completely hide it. In the maximum phase of the eclipse, the Sun is covered by the Moon, but a bright ring of the uncovered part of the solar disk is visible around the Moon. The sky during an annular eclipse remains bright, stars do not appear, it is impossible to observe the corona of the Sun. The same eclipse can be seen in different parts of the eclipse band as total or annular. Such an eclipse is sometimes called a total annular (or hybrid) eclipse.

From 2 to 5 solar eclipses can occur on Earth per year, of which no more than two are total or annular. On average, 237 solar eclipses occur in a hundred years, of which 160 are partial, 63 are total, and 14 are annular. At a certain point on the earth's surface, eclipses in the major phase occur quite rarely, and total solar eclipses are even more rare.

Moon eclipse

Moon eclipse An eclipse occurs when the Moon enters the cone of shadow cast by the Earth. The diameter of the spot of the Earth's shadow at a distance of 363,000 km (the minimum distance of the Moon from the Earth) is about 2.5 times the diameter of the Moon, so the entire Moon can be obscured. At each moment of the eclipse, the degree of coverage of the Moon's disk by the Earth's shadow is expressed by the phase of the eclipse F. The magnitude of the phase is determined by the distance 0 from the center of the Moon to the center of the shadow. In astronomical calendars, the values \u200b\u200bof and 0 are given for different moments of the eclipse.

When the Moon during an eclipse completely enters the shadow of the Earth, they speak of a total lunar eclipse, when partially - a partial eclipse. A lunar eclipse can be observed on half of the Earth's territory (where the Moon is above the horizon at the time of the eclipse). The view of the shadowed Moon from any point of observation is negligibly little different from another point, and is the same. Maximum theoretically possible duration full phase lunar eclipse is 108 minutes; such were, for example, the lunar eclipses of August 13, 1859, July 16, 2000.

During an eclipse (even a total one), the Moon does not disappear completely, but becomes dark red. This fact is explained by the fact that the Moon, even in the phase of a total eclipse, continues to be illuminated. The sun's rays passing tangentially to the earth's surface are scattered in the earth's atmosphere and due to this scattering partially reach the moon. Since the earth's atmosphere is most transparent to the rays of the red-orange part of the spectrum, it is these rays that reach the surface of the moon during an eclipse to a greater extent, which explains the color of the lunar disk. In fact, this is the same effect as the orange-red glow of the sky near the horizon (dawn) before sunrise or just after sunset. The Danjon scale is used to estimate the brightness of an eclipse.

Phases of a lunar eclipse

An observer on the Moon, at the time of a total (or partial, if he is on the shaded part of the Moon) lunar eclipse, sees a total solar eclipse (an eclipse of the Sun by the Earth).

If the Moon only partially falls into the total shadow of the Earth, a partial eclipse is observed. With it, part of the Moon is dark, and part, even in the maximum phase, remains in partial shade and is illuminated by the sun's rays.

Views of the Moon during a lunar eclipse

Around the cone of the Earth's shadow there is a penumbra - a region of space in which the Earth obscures the Sun only partially. If the Moon passes through the penumbra but does not enter the shadow, a penumbral eclipse occurs. With it, the brightness of the Moon decreases, but only slightly: such a decrease is almost imperceptible to the naked eye and is recorded only by instruments. Only when the Moon in a penumbral eclipse passes near the cone of total shadow, with clear sky you can see a slight darkening from one edge of the lunar disk.

Every year there are at least two lunar eclipses, however, due to the mismatch of the planes of the lunar and earth orbits, their phases differ. Eclipses are repeated in the same order every 6585 days (or 18 years 11 days and 8 hours - a period called saros); knowing where and when a total lunar eclipse was observed, one can accurately determine the time of subsequent and previous eclipses that are clearly visible in this area. This cyclicity often helps to accurately date the events described in the historical annals.

The question of what a lunar eclipse is, how and what it affects, and whether it is worth being afraid of, occupies many.

In astrology, the moon is very important, because it symbolizes the soul, emotions, the ability to adapt to external circumstances and your unconscious. That is why it is important to know what should and should not be done during a lunar eclipse.

An eclipse is the moment when the Moon hides in the shadow of the Earth and we cannot see it. In this case, the Earth is located on a line between the center of the Moon and the center of the Sun.

Depending on how much the Moon has gone into the shadow, eclipses are total, partial and penumbral. The latter relate to periods when the Moon does not even go into the shadow itself, but into the area around it - penumbra.

Every year, on average, there are two lunar eclipses, a maximum of three. However, in some years there is not a single lunar eclipse.

Periods of lunar eclipses

Lunar eclipses in 2019:

January 21, 2019- total lunar eclipse in the sign of Leo. Beginning at 2:34:45 UT, maximum at 5:12:12 UT, ending at 7:49:37 UT.
July 16-17, 2019- partial lunar eclipse in the sign of Capricorn. Beginning at 18:41:45 UT on July 16, maximum at 21:30:36 UT, ending at 0:19:34 UT.

influence of lunar eclipses

Why are eclipses and lunar eclipses in particular given so much attention? The fact is that the Sun and the Moon are the most significant points not only of the firmament of heaven, but also of your horoscope.

The lunar eclipse raises important internal questions. In addition, eclipses always occur on the axis of the Moon's nodes, which is also called the axis of Fate.

That is why the influence of eclipses is considered deep and karmic.

Important: this will help to avoid failures

There are several common mistakes that commit during the eclipse. For example, ignoring warnings that the eclipse is an emotionally unstable period, and at any moment a quarrel can arise literally from scratch.

During the period of a lunar eclipse, there can be serious mistakes and confusion in business and relationships, so you should not make important meetings and negotiations for this period. Also during the eclipse it is better to spend less time on outdoors, since it is believed that it takes away your luck.

Eight ways to avoid bad luck during a lunar eclipse:

Do not start anything new and important. Negotiations, meetings, new projects and tasks should be postponed for another period.
Do not plan moving, long-term travel and trips. In general, try not to be outside for long periods of time during the eclipse.
Postpone the wedding, you should not play a wedding on this day.
You should not quit your job or start a new one, as well as discuss any significant issues with management.
Don't lend money, don't take loans. It is also not necessary to accept or give gifts on this day, especially large ones.
It is better to postpone planned operations, planned visits to the dentist.
Do not enter into large financial transactions.
Carefully check all documents that need to be sent or signed, there is a high probability of making a serious mistake.

During the lunar eclipse, try to postpone important things as much as possible. It is better to focus on routine matters, your hobbies and planning.

What is good to do during a lunar eclipse

Lunar eclipses have their own special character. Therefore, knowing it, you can spend this time for the benefit of yourself and your future.

During a lunar eclipse, you can do the following:

Bring long-term projects and tasks to completion. The period of the lunar eclipse can give a good "kick" to those who are used to postponing everything until the last moment. In general, it is good to complete any business.
This period is very good in order to complete obsolete relationships.
It is favorable to complete something unnecessary, to refuse bad habits. For example, it is good to stop drinking, smoking, overeating, and junk food.
It's good to look for something lost, there's a good chance of finding it. It doesn't matter if you were looking for a person, thing or information.
Complete the reorganization, relocation, repair, rearrangement of furniture.
Summarize, rethink your experience, complete the training.
Make plans for the future, prepare a list of goals and desires. For example, the practice of preparing is very well suited.

Do not forget that the energy of the lunar eclipse period is conflicting, so it is better to spend this time alone.

features of lunar eclipses in the signs of the zodiac

The moon governs the subconscious and daily affairs, the daily behavior of each person.

The lunar eclipse provokes changes in the collective mood, which is better to foresee and take into account during this period.

Depending on which sign the Moon is in at the time of the eclipse, the manifestations of general moods will be different.

How will the lunar eclipse affect different signs zodiac:

In signs Aries and Libra issues of the sphere of relations, both personal and public, come to the fore. Mergers and acquisitions of companies, marriages and divorces - all this will be in the spotlight. With an eclipse in the sign of Libra, there is a high probability of the emergence or completion of court cases, legal issues.

In signs Cancer and Capricorn issues of real estate and job change, emphasis on family matters are becoming relevant. There is also a high likelihood of topics related to elderly relatives or children.

In signs Taurus and Scorpio the focus shifts to money matters. The hot question will be “How to make money”, there may be disputes about property, problems with loans, investments and mortgages. Another theme of a lunar eclipse in one of these signs is birth and death, big money gains or big losses.

In signs Gemini and Sagittarius on the agenda are topics of travel and means of transportation. It may be possible or necessary to purchase vehicle. This is a time of learning something new, exchanging information, broadening one's horizons. In a negative aspect, it brings problems in all the above issues.

In signs Virgo and Pisces a lunar eclipse raises issues of focus on a specific task or work of people, including routine homework. Also, this period can exacerbate health issues and stimulate a visit to the doctor. Another one significant topic is the topic of bad habits and harmful behavior that can be manifested under the influence of the negative aspects of the eclipse.

The most important thing that will help you pass the period of the lunar eclipse without loss is attentiveness and caution, especially if you yourself were born during the eclipse, or it affects important points in your horoscope. For example, a lunar eclipse is in Aquarius and you were born under the sign of Aquarius.

So, let's summarize what you need and do not need to do during the period of the Lunar eclipse:

A few days before and after the start date of the eclipse, you should be more careful and accurate, as the energy of the eclipse affects for a long time.
Check if the eclipse point coincides with a significant point in your horoscope (the position of the Sun, Moon, etc.). If yes, then you should be especially careful.
During the day and hours of the eclipse, be less outdoors, as it is believed that this can take away your luck.
Use recommendations on eight ways to avoid failure during the lunar eclipse, do not start important and significant business, meetings and projects during this period.
Spend the period of the lunar eclipse doing tasks and activities that correspond to the energy of this period. See above for recommendations and a list of such cases.
Take into account the peculiarities of collective behavior during the eclipse, based on what sign of the Zodiac the Moon is in at the time of the eclipse.
Be more careful and careful during the lunar eclipse.

You can choose the best solution for your situation at a consultation, read more about which you.

Have questions? Please write them in the comments to this article. I will also be grateful for your response.

Best regards and best wishes,

The Moon shines with the reflected light of the Sun; therefore, when it falls into the shadow of the Earth (Fig. 30), it ceases to shine - a lunar eclipse occurs. Strictly speaking, the Moon continues to shine due to the fact that part of the Sun's rays, refracted in the Earth's atmosphere, illuminates the Moon, and we see it as a dark red disk. Blue rays are scattered in the earth's atmosphere, as a result, a person sees during the day blue sky and the red sun at sunset.

The shadow of the Earth has the shape of a cone, the cross-sectional diameter of which at the distance of the Moon is 2.5 times the diameter of the Moon, so the lunar eclipse lasts quite a long time. The maximum duration of a total lunar eclipse is 1 hour 45 minutes. The eclipse is visible throughout the night hemisphere of the Earth. The eclipse may be complete, if the Moon enters the shadow completely, or private, if only part of the Moon falls into the shadow.

When the shadow of the Moon falls on the Earth, a solar eclipse occurs (Fig. 30). It may be complete where the shadow falls and private in the area in the lukewarm. If at the time of the eclipse the Moon is at the point of the orbit farthest from the Earth, and the Earth is at the point closest to the Sun, then the disk of the Moon does not completely cover the disk of the Sun, and annular eclipse.

The shadow of the Moon draws on the Earth a long strip with a width of no more than 200 km, the width of the penumbra can be several thousand kilometers. Therefore, total solar eclipses are seen very rarely in each specific area, on average once every 300 years. In Moscow, the next total solar eclipse will be in 2126 (the previous one was in 1887). The maximum duration of a total solar eclipse (at the equator) is 7.5 minutes. In areas far from the equator, the eclipse, as a rule, lasts no more than 2-2.5 minutes.

An eclipse can only occur on a full moon (lunar) or a new moon (solar). Figures 31, 32 show the projections onto the celestial sphere of the disks of the Moon and the Sun for the moments of three successive new moons and two successive full moons. The angle between the ecliptic and the lunar orbit is greatly exaggerated.

Transit of Venus across the disk of the sun

Twice a century, Venus passes between the Earth and the Sun so that its disk is projected onto the disk of the Sun (Fig. 9). Such a passage, for example, took place on June 8, 2004 at 9:10–20 am Moscow time. It lasted about 6 hours (for each place of observation, the time of the beginning and end of the passage is slightly different). You need to observe the passage on a screen onto which the image of the Sun is projected. The planet is visible as a small dark circle moving against the background of the Sun's disk. If the diameter of the projection of the solar disk is 10 cm (which is available to the school telescope), then the diameter of the projection of Venus is 3 mm. With the naked eye (protected by a dense filter), only people with very sharp eyesight can see it. It is very interesting to observe the moment when the planet crosses the edge of the solar disk. It was at such a moment, in 1761, that M. V. Lomonosov noticed that the disk of Venus, which had already partially crossed the edge of the disk, was surrounded by radiance (Fig. 10). He quite correctly concluded that this is the result of the refraction of the light of the Sun in the upper layers

The diameter of the spot of the Earth's shadow at a distance of 363,000 km (the minimum distance of the Moon from the Earth) is about 2.6 times the diameter of the Moon, so the entire Moon can be obscured. At each moment of the eclipse, the degree of coverage of the Moon's disk by the Earth's shadow is expressed by the phase of the eclipse. The phase value Φ is determined by the distance θ from the center of the Moon to the center of the shadow. In astronomical calendars, the values of Φ and θ are given for different moments of the eclipse.

When the Moon during an eclipse completely enters the shadow of the Earth, they talk about total lunar eclipse when partially - about partial eclipse. When the Moon enters only the penumbra of the Earth, they speak of partial penumbral eclipse. The necessary conditions for the onset of a lunar eclipse are the full moon and the proximity of the Moon to the node of its orbit (that is, to the point where the Moon's orbit intersects the plane of the ecliptic); A lunar eclipse occurs when both of these conditions are met simultaneously.

Full eclipse

A lunar eclipse can be observed on the entire hemisphere of the Earth, facing the Moon at that moment (that is, where the Moon is above the horizon at the time of the eclipse). The view of the darkened Moon from any point on the Earth where it is generally visible is almost the same - this is the fundamental difference between lunar eclipses and solar eclipses, which are visible only in a limited area. The maximum theoretically possible duration of the total phase of a lunar eclipse is 108 minutes; such were, for example, lunar eclipses July 26, 1953, July 16, 2000. In this case, the Moon passes through the center of the earth's shadow; total lunar eclipses of this type are called central, they differ from non-central ones in longer duration and lower brightness of the Moon during the total phase of the eclipse.

During an eclipse (even a total one), the Moon does not disappear completely, but becomes dark red. This is due to the fact that the Moon, even in the phase of a total eclipse, continues to be illuminated. The sun's rays passing tangentially to the earth's surface are scattered in the earth's atmosphere and due to this scattering partially reach the moon. Since the earth's atmosphere is most transparent to the rays of the red-orange part of the spectrum, it is these rays that reach the surface of the moon during an eclipse to a greater extent, which explains the color of the lunar disk. In fact, this is the same effect as the orange-red glow of the sky near the horizon (dawn) before sunrise or just after sunset. The Danjon scale is used to estimate the brightness of the Moon during an eclipse.

An observer who is at the time of a total or partial shadow lunar eclipse on the shaded part of the Moon sees a total eclipse of the Sun by the Earth.

partial eclipse

If the Moon falls into the total shadow of the Earth only partially, there is partial eclipse. At the same time, that part of the Moon, on which the Earth's shadow falls, turns out to be dark, but the part of the Moon, even in the maximum phase of the eclipse, remains in partial shade and is illuminated by the sun's rays. An observer on the Moon, located in the penumbra, sees a partial eclipse of the Sun by the Earth.

penumbral eclipse

Around the cone of the Earth's shadow there is a penumbra - a region of space in which the Earth obscures the Sun only partially. If the Moon passes through the penumbra, but does not enter the shadow, penumbral eclipse. With it, the brightness of the Moon decreases, but only slightly: such a decrease is almost imperceptible to the naked eye and is recorded only by instruments. Only when the Moon in a penumbral eclipse passes near the cone of total shadow, in a clear sky, one can notice a slight darkening from one edge of the lunar disk. If the moon is completely in partial shade (but not touching the shadow), such an eclipse is called full penumbra; if only part of the moon enters the penumbra, such an eclipse is called private penumbral. Total penumbral eclipses are rare, unlike partial ones; the last total penumbral eclipse was March 14, 2006, and the next one will occur only in 2042.

Periodicity

Due to the discrepancy between the planes of the lunar and earth orbits, not every full moon is accompanied by a lunar eclipse, and not every lunar eclipse is complete. The maximum number of lunar eclipses per year is 4 (for example, this will happen in 2020 and 2038), the minimum number of lunar eclipses is two per year. Eclipses are repeated in the same order every 6585⅓ days (or 18 years 11 days and ~8 hours - a period called saros); knowing where and when a total lunar eclipse was observed, one can accurately determine the time of subsequent and previous eclipses that are clearly visible in this area. This cyclicity often helps to accurately date the events described in the historical annals.

The last lunar eclipse occurred on January 21, 2019 (total).

It should be noted that lunar eclipses are often accompanied by preceding (two weeks) or subsequent (two weeks later) solar eclipses. This is due to the fact that during those two weeks during which the Moon passes half of its orbit, the Sun does not have time to move away from the line of nodes of the lunar orbit, and as a result, the conditions necessary for the onset of a solar eclipse (new moon and the Sun near the node) are met. Sometimes there are even three consecutive eclipses (solar, lunar and solar or lunar, solar and lunar), separated by two weeks. For example, a sequence of three eclipses was observed in 2013: April 25 (lunar, partial), May 10 (solar, annular) and May 25 (lunar, partial penumbral). Another example is in 2011: June 1 (solar, private), June 15 (lunar, full), July 1 (solar, private). The time when the Sun is near the node of the lunar orbit and eclipses can occur is called eclipse season; its duration is about a month.

The next lunar eclipse sometimes occurs in a lunar month (then, approximately in the middle between these two eclipses, a solar eclipse always occurs), but more often it occurs about six months later, in the next eclipse season. During this time the sun celestial sphere passes along the ecliptic from one node of the lunar orbit to another (the line of nodes of the lunar orbit also moves, but more slowly), and the set of conditions necessary for a lunar eclipse is restored again: the full moon and the Sun near the node. The period between successive passages by the Sun of the nodes of the lunar orbit is 173.31 days, half of the so-called

TASS-DOSIER. On January 31, 2018, from 15:51 to 17:08 Moscow time, almost throughout Russia, except for the western and southwestern regions, it will be possible to observe a total lunar eclipse. The moon will be in the earth's shadow for about 77 minutes. In this case, the eclipse will coincide with a supermoon - this is the name of the periods when natural satellite closest to the earth. Among other things, it will also be a "blue" moon, that is, the second full moon in one calendar month (the first was on January 2). The coincidence of three events at once - the "blue" Moon, supermoon, eclipse - is a rare occurrence, in last time this was in 1866.

All phases of this astronomical phenomenon will be able to see the inhabitants of Siberia and Far East. In Moscow, the "bloody" supermoon will rise over the horizon after 17:00. However, the cloudiness predicted for this day will prevent Muscovites and guests of the capital from seeing the final phase of the eclipse. The lunar eclipse will also be visible from Eastern Europe, East Africa, Asia, Australia, Pacific Ocean and North America. The TASS-DOSIER editors have prepared material on lunar eclipses.

Lunar eclipses

Lunar eclipses only occur on a full moon, when the Earth is between the Moon and the Sun, blocking its only satellite from sunlight. There are total (the so-called blood moon), partial (partial) and penumbral lunar eclipses. In the first case, the Moon is completely in the shadow of the Earth, in the second - partially, in the third - the Moon is covered only by the penumbra from the Earth.

The most spectacular are total and partial lunar eclipses, although the Moon does not cease to be visible - the rays of the Sun that have passed through the earth's atmosphere continue to fall on it. The moon darkens completely or partially, becoming orange-red to red-brown (Earth's atmosphere is most transparent for this part of the spectrum). During a penumbral eclipse, the disk of the Earth's satellite only slightly darkens.

Lunar eclipses can be observed on the entire earth's hemisphere, where at this moment the Moon is above the horizon. This is their difference from solar eclipses, which are usually visible from a small area of the Earth.

Lunar eclipses last, on average, two hours. In this case, the change in the color of the moon occurs almost imperceptibly to the observer.

Story

Chaldean astronomers learned to predict lunar eclipses several centuries BC. e. They also discovered the so-called draconian period (about 6585 days, another name is saros) - a cycle after which lunar and solar eclipses are repeated. One of the first reliable references to the observation of an eclipse of the moon is contained in ancient Chinese chronicles and refers to 1137 BC. e.

Famous is the total lunar eclipse on March 1, 1504 Then the navigator, the discoverer of America, Christopher Columbus, knowing in advance about the upcoming phenomenon, was able to successfully use this. During his fourth and last journey, his caravels were caught in a severe storm and were forced to stand on the northern coast of Jamaica in the summer of 1503, waiting for help from Spain. Initially, Columbus managed to supply his expedition with provisions, exchanging it from the Indians for trinkets brought from Europe. However, at the beginning of the winter of 1504, the natives began to bring less food. Knowing that an eclipse would soon take place, Columbus called the leaders (caciques) of the Indians and announced to them that the Spanish god was angry and was going to take the Moon from the inhabitants of Jamaica. When, at the time he predicted, the moon darkened and then turned crimson, the Indians begged for mercy and thereafter generously supplied the expedition with provisions until its return to Spain in June 1504.

In the 19th century, catalogs of lunar and solar eclipses for long periods were published: in 1856 - "Tables of indications of the times of solar and lunar eclipses from 1840 to 2001" by the Russian amateur astronomer Fyodor Semenov, in 1887 - "The Canon of Eclipses" (from 1207 BC to 2163) by the Austrian astronomer Theodor Oppocelzer. Currently National Administration US Aeronautics and Research outer space(NASA) has information about the date, time and location of every eclipse since 2000 BC. e. until the year 3000.

Periodicity

Every year, on average, there are two to four lunar eclipses. It happens and five a year, but extremely rarely. The last time this happened was in 1879 (four penumbral and one private). The next five lunar eclipses on Earth can only be seen in 2132 (one partial and four penumbral).

The last total eclipse of the moon was observed on September 28, 2015. There were two lunar eclipses in 2016: March 23 and September 16 - all penumbral. In 2017 - two: February 11, penumbral, and August 7 - private.

There will be two lunar eclipses in 2018, both total. The first one will take place on January 31st. The next - July 27 - will be the longest in the XXI century - 103 minutes. A 100-minute total lunar eclipse occurs on average five times per century. Over the past two hundred years (since 1901), the record was the eclipse of July 16, 2000, which lasted 106.5 minutes.

Four lunar eclipses can be observed at once in 2020, but all of them will be penumbral. The previous similar case was in 2009 (three penumbral and one private), it also became the first in the 21st century.