May 1985 lunar eclipse
Total eclipse
Date4 May 1985
Gamma0.35197
Magnitude1.23687
Saros cycle121 (54 of 84)
Totality67 minutes, 41.5 seconds
Partiality198 minutes, 57.6 seconds
Penumbral310 minutes, 20.4 seconds
Contacts (UTC)
P117:21:14.4
U118:16:54.8
U219:22:33.0
Greatest19:56:24.1
U320:30:14.5
U421:35:52.4
P422:31:34.8

A total lunar eclipse took place on Saturday, May 4, 1985, the first of two total lunar eclipses in 1985, the second being on October 28, 1985.[1]

This lunar eclipse is the first of a tetrad, four total lunar eclipses in series. The last series was in 1967 and 1968, starting with an April 1967 lunar eclipse, while the next was in 2003 and 2004, starting with a May 2003 lunar eclipse.

Visibility

It is seen rising over the whole of Africa, Middle East, Europe and Asia. The eclipse was sighted over the Philippines at night. The second also followed on October 28, 1985.

Eclipses of 1985

Lunar year series

Lunar eclipse series sets from 1984–1987
Descending node   Ascending node
Saros Date
Viewing		 Type
Chart		 Gamma Saros Date
Viewing		 Type
Chart		 Gamma
111 1984 May 15
 Penumbral
 1.11308 116 1984 Nov 08
 Penumbral
 −1.08998
121 1985 May 04
 Total
 0.35197 126 1985 Oct 28
 Total
 −0.40218
131 1986 Apr 24
 Total
 −0.36826 136 1986 Oct 17
 Total
 0.31887
141 1987 Apr 14
 Penumbral
 −1.13641 146 1987 Oct 07
 Penumbral
 1.01890
Last set 1984 Jun 13 Last set 1983 Dec 20
Next set 1988 Mar 03 Next set 1988 Aug 27

Metonic series

This eclipse is the second of four Metonic cycle lunar eclipses on the same date, May 4–5, each separated by 19 years:

The metonic cycle repeats nearly exactly every 19 years and represents a Saros cycle plus one lunar year. Because it occurs on the same calendar date, the earth's shadow will in nearly the same location relative to the background stars.

Metonic events: May 4 and October 28
Descending node Ascending node
  1. 1966 May 4 - Penumbral (111)
  2. 1985 May 4 - Total (121)
  3. 2004 May 4 - Total (131)
  4. 2023 May 5 - Penumbral (141)
  1. 1966 Oct 29 - Penumbral (116)
  2. 1985 Oct 28 - Total (126)
  3. 2004 Oct 28 - Total (136)
  4. 2023 Oct 28 - Partial (146)
  5. 2042 Oct 28 - Penumbral (156)

Saros series

It is a member of Saros cycle 121.

Half-Saros cycle

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 annular solar eclipses of Solar Saros 128.

April 29, 1976 May 10, 1994

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Hermit Eclipse: Saros cycle 121
  2. ↑ Mathematical Astronomy Morsels, Jean Meeus, p.110, Chapter 18, The half-saros


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