Dates 14 Mar 2006 – 15 Mar 2006 | ||
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Other Instances April 2099 lunar eclipse | ||
A penumbral lunar eclipse took place on March 14, 2006, the first of two lunar eclipses in 2006.
Contents
This was a relatively rare total penumbral lunar eclipse with the moon passing entirely within the penumbral shadow without entering the darker umbral shadow.
Visibility
It was completely visible over Africa and Europe, seen rising over eastern North America, all of South America, and setting over western Asia.
A simulated view of the earth from the center of the moon at maximum eclipse.
Saros series
The eclipse belongs to Saros series 138, and is the 29th of 83 lunar eclipses in the series. The first penumbral eclipse of saros cycle 138 began on October 5, 1503, first partial eclipse on June 13, 1900, and total first will be on September 7, 2044. The last total eclipse will occur on June 8, 2495, last partial on August 13, 2603, and last penumbral eclipse on March 30, 2982.
Metonic cycles (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.