October 1986 lunar eclipse

A total lunar eclipse took place on Friday, October 17, 1986, the second of two total lunar eclipses in 1986, the first being on April 24, 1986. The Moon was plunged into darkness for 1 hour, 13 minutes and 41 seconds, in a deep total eclipse which saw the Moon 24.545% of its diameter inside the Earth's umbral shadow. The visual effect of this depends on the state of the Earth's atmosphere, but the Moon may have been stained a deep red colour. The partial eclipse lasted for 3 hours, 36 minutes and 49.5 seconds in total. The Moon was 5.4 days before apogee (Apogee on Thursday, October 23, 1986), making it 3.3% smaller than average.[1]

October 1986 lunar eclipse
Total eclipse
Date17 October 1986
Gamma0.31887
Magnitude1.24545
Saros cycle136 (18 of 72)
Totality73 minutes, 41 seconds
Partiality216 minutes, 49.5 seconds
Penumbral353 minutes, 17.4 seconds
Contacts (UTC)
P116:21:22.9
U117:29:32.5
U218:41:07.2
Greatest19:17:58.8
U319:54:48.2
U421:06:22.0
P422:14:40.3

Visibility

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It was completely visible over Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia, seen rising over Europe, Africa on the evening of Friday, October 17, 1986, and setting over Asia, Australia on the morning of Saturday, October 18, 1986.

 

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Eclipses of 1986

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Lunar year series

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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

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This eclipse is the third of four Metonic cycle lunar eclipses on the same date, October 17–18, 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 lunar eclipse sets 1948–2005
Descending node   Ascending node
Saros Date Type Saros Date Type
111 1948 Apr 23 Partial 116 1948 Oct 18 Penumbral
   
121 1967 Apr 24 Total 126 1967 Oct 18 Total
   
131 1986 Apr 24 Total 136 1986 Oct 17 Total
   
141 2005 Apr 24 Penumbral 146 2005 Oct 17 Partial
   

Half-Saros cycle

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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 total solar eclipses of Solar Saros 143.

October 12, 1977 October 24, 1995
   

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ Hermit Eclipse: Saros cycle 136
  2. ^ Mathematical Astronomy Morsels, Jean Meeus, p.110, Chapter 18, The half-saros
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