First of Two 2012 Lunar Eclipses Happens June 4 as Partial Eclipse

Summary: The first of two 2012 lunar eclipses happens Monday, June 4, as a partial eclipse with visibility over five continents

Earth visibility chart and eclipse data for partial lunar eclipse of Monday, June 4, 2012: "Permission is freely granted to reproduce this data when accompanied by an acknowledgment, Eclipse Predictions by Fred Espenak, NASA GSFC Emeritus," via NASA Eclipse Web Site

The first of two 2012 lunar eclipses happens Monday, June 4, as a partial eclipse that favors the Pacific Ocean and its five bordering continents.

Their advantageous locations in the South West Pacific Ocean allow observers in eastern Australia, New Zealand and most of New Guinea to enjoy viewing the entire ecliptic event.

All eclipse visibility is available to the United States’ two non-contiguous states, Alaska and Hawaii. South central Alaska, including the state’s capital of Anchorage, and the Aleutian Islands fall within the region of entire ecliptic visibility. Desirably located in the central Pacific Ocean, the Hawaiian archipelago experiences complete viewing of the June 2012 lunar eclipse.

Eleven of the United States’ 16 territories are found in the Pacific Ocean. All eclipse visibility is afforded to all 11: American Samoa, Baker Island, Guam, Howland Island, Jarvis Island, Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, Midway Islands, the Northern Marianas Islands, Palmyra Atoll and Wake Island.

On the NASA Eclipse Web Site, retired astrophysicist Fred Espenak, known as “Mr. Eclipse,” notes the influence of moonrise and moonset upon eclipse visibility. The eclipse’s start before moonrise prevents observers in eastern Asia from viewing the beginning. Moonset before the eclipse’s end affects the Americas. Moonset before the event starts places New England and eastern Canada within the region of non-visibility. Observers in western Canada and the western continental United States are able to view the event, up to sometime after mid-eclipse, when moonset occurs.

Africa and Europe are excluded from the June 2012 eclipse’s visibility regions. Central and western Asia also fall within the non-visibility area.

The first of two 2012 lunar eclipses begins Monday, June 4, with the lunar surface’s contact with Earth’s lighter, outer penumbral shadow. First contact with the penumbra occurs at 8:48:09 Universal Time (4:48 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time). P1 is the designator for the instant of first penumbral contact.

The partial eclipse begins with contact with Earth’s umbra at 9:59:53 UT (5:59 a.m. EDT). U1 designates the instant of entrance into the darkest, innermost part of Earth’s shadow. During the partial eclipse, part of the umbra covers a portion, but not all, of the visible lunar surface.

Greatest eclipse takes place at 11:03:13 UT (7:03 a.m. EDT). Greatest eclipse marks the instant of the closest lunar passage to the axis of Earth’s shadow.

The partial eclipse ends with last umbral contact at 12:06:30 UT (8:06 a.m. EDT). U4 designates the instant of last umbral contact.

The June 2012 lunar event ends with last penumbral contact. The penumbral eclipse ends at 13:18:17 UT (9:18 a.m. EDT). P4 is the designator for exit from the penumbra.

The June 2012 lunar eclipse has a total duration of 4 hours 30 minutes 8 seconds. The total duration represents the length of the event’s penumbral eclipse.

The event’s partial eclipse lasts for 2 hours 6 minutes 37 seconds. Partiality’s time span accounts for passage of a portion of the lunar surface through Earth’s umbra.

The June 2012 partial lunar eclipse is the first of two 2012 lunar eclipses. The year’s second ecliptic event occurs five and four-fifths months later. On Wednesday, Nov. 28, a penumbral eclipses appears as the year’s second lunar eclipse.

The June 2012 partial lunar eclipse breaks the pattern of total lunar eclipses that prevailed for almost a year. All three lunar eclipses occurring between December 2011 and December 2012 were total lunar eclipses.

The June 2012 lunar eclipse belongs to Saros Series 140. The Saros cycle links eclipses into families, known as series. A Saros cycle numbers approximately 6,585.3 days (18 years 11 days 8 hours).

The first of two 2012 lunar eclipses opens the year’s lineup of lunar eclipses, favors the Pacific Ocean with complete visibility and breaks the pattern of total lunar eclipses that endured from December 2011 to December 2012.

graphic of "orientation of the earth as viewed from the center of the moon during greatest eclipse" for partial lunar eclipse June 4, 2012: Tom Ruen (SockPuppetForTomruen at English Wikipedia), Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Acknowledgment

My special thanks to talented artists and photographers/concerned organizations who make their fine images available on the internet.

Image credits:

Earth visibility chart and eclipse data for partial lunar eclipse of Monday, June 4, 2012: "Permission is freely granted to reproduce this data when accompanied by an acknowledgment, Eclipse Predictions by Fred Espenak, NASA GSFC Emeritus," via NASA Eclipse Web Site @ https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/OH/OHfigures/OH2012-Fig03.pdf

graphic of "orientation of the earth as viewed from the center of the moon during greatest eclipse" for partial lunar eclipse June 4, 2012: Tom Ruen (SockPuppetForTomruen at English Wikipedia), Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons @ https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lunar_eclipse_from_moon-2012Jun04.png

For further information:

Espenak, Fred. “Eclipses During 2012.” NASA Eclipse Web Site > Lunar Eclipses.
Available via NASA Eclipse Web Site https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/OH/OH2012.html

Espenak, Fred. "Figure 3 Partial Lunar Eclipse of 2012 Jun 04." NASA Eclipse Web Site > Lunar Eclipses > Lunar Eclipse Page > Lunar Eclipses Past and Future: Eclipses During 2012 > Eclipses During 2012: 2012 Jun 04 Partial Lunar Eclipse: Partial Lunar Eclipse of June 04.
Available via NASA Eclipse Web Site @ https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/OH/OHfigures/OH2012-Fig03.pdf

Espenak, Fred. “Greatest Eclipse.” NASA Eclipse Web Site > Solar Eclipses > Glossary of Solar Eclipse Terms.
Available via NASA Eclipse Web Site https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEhelp/SEglossary.html

Espenak, Fred. “Lunar Eclipses: 2011-2020.” NASA Eclipse Web Site > Lunar Eclipses.
Available via NASA Eclipse Web Site https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/LEdecade/LEdecade2011.html

“June 4, 2012 -- Partial Lunar Eclipse.” Time And Date > Sun & Moon > Eclipses.
Available via Time And Date @ https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/lunar/2012-june-4

Marriner, Derdriu. "June 4, 2012, Partial Lunar Eclipse Belongs to Saros Series 140." Earth and Space News. Wednesday, May 23, 2012.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2012/05/june-4-2012-partial-lunar-eclipse.html

Marriner, Derdriu. “Second of Two 2011 Total Lunar Eclipses Happens Saturday, Dec. 10.” Earth and Space News. Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2011.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2011/12/second-of-two-2011-total-lunar-eclipses.html

June 4, 2012, Partial Lunar Eclipse Belongs to Saros Series 140

Summary: The Monday, June 4, 2012, partial lunar eclipse belongs to Saros cycle 140, a series of 77 similar lunar eclipses.

Penumbral lunar eclipse of Sunday, Sep. 25, 1597, opened Saros 140’s lineup of 77 lunar eclipses: "Permission is freely granted to reproduce this data when accompanied by an acknowledgment, Eclipse Predictions by Fred Espenak (NASA's GSFC)," via NASA Eclipse Web Site

The Monday, June 4, 2012, partial lunar eclipse belongs to Saros cycle 140, which comprises 77 lunar eclipses with similar geometries.

June’s partial lunar eclipse begins Monday, June 4, at 08:48:09 Universal Time, according to NASA’s Eclipse Web Site. Greatest eclipse takes place at 11:03:13 UT. Greatest eclipse indicates the instant of the moon’s closest passage to the axis of Earth’s shadow. The eclipse ends at 13:18:17 UT.

June 2012’s partial lunar eclipse appears as number 24 in the lineup of 77 lunar eclipses that compose Saros cycle 140. Similar geometries group the 77 lunar eclipses into a family, known as a series.

Retired NASA astrophysicist Fred Espenak’s EclipseWise website describes Saros 140 lunar eclipses as sharing the geometry of occurring at the moon’s ascending node. With each succeeding eclipse in Saros 140, the lunar movement is southward with respect to the ascending node.

The ascending node and a descending node pair as intersecting points of Earth’s orbit by the moon’s orbit. The two nodes attest to the approximately 5.1 degree tilt of the lunar orbit with respect to Earth’s orbit. The ascending node corresponds to the moon’s orbital crossing to the north of Earth’s orbit. The descending node concerns the lunar orbital crossing to the south of Earth’s orbit.

A Saros cycle of approximately 6,585.3 days (18 years 11 days 8 hours sets the periodicity and recurrence of eclipses. A Saros series consists of 70 or more lunar eclipses, with each separated from its successor by a Saros cycle. A Saros series typically ends in 12 to 15 centuries.

Saros series 140 lasts for 1,370.29 years, according to NASA Eclipse Web Site. Saros series 140 continues for 15 centuries. Saros series 140 spans the 16th through 30th centuries.

Lunar eclipses in Saros cycle 140 present a sequence order of 20 penumbral lunar eclipses, eight partial lunar eclipses, 28 total lunar eclipses, seven partial lunar eclipses and 14 penumbral lunar eclipses. Penumbral lunar eclipses occur with the most frequency in Saros series 140, with a total of 34 occurrences. Total lunar eclipses appear as the second most frequent lunar eclipse type in the series, with a total of 28 occurrences.

The 16th century’s penumbral eclipse of Sunday, Sep. 25, 1597, initiated Saros cycle 140. This event staged its greatest eclipse over the southwestern Pacific Ocean, north of Papua New Guinea’s island of New Ireland (Irlandia Baru).

The 30th century’s penumbral eclipse of Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2968, ends Saros series 140. This event’s greatest eclipse will take place over the Arabian Peninsula’s Rub’ al Khali Desert in southeastern Saudi Arabia.

The Monday, June 4, 2012, partial lunar eclipse occurs as number four within the sequence of eight partial lunar eclipses in Saros series 140. This event will experience its greatest eclipse over the South Pacific Ocean, east of the Kingdom of Tonga and west of Rarotonga in the Cook Islands.

The total lunar eclipse of Wednesday, May 25, 1994, is the immediate predecessor of June 2012’s partial lunar eclipse. This event’s greatest eclipse took place over the state of Mato Grosso do Sul in Brazil’s Central-West Region.

The May 1994, partial lunar eclipse appears as number three within the sequence of eight partial lunar eclipses in Saros series 140. This eclipse occurs as number 23 in the series’ lineup of 77 lunar eclipses.

The partial lunar eclipse of Saturday, June 15, 2030, is the successor of the Monday, June 4, 2012, partial lunar eclipse in Saros series 140. This event’s greatest eclipse will take place over the central South Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar and west of Australia.

The June 2030 eclipse occurs as number five within the sequence of eight partial lunar eclipses in Saros series 140. This eclipse appears as number 25 in the series’ lineup of 77 lunar eclipses.

The takeaway for the Monday, June 4, 2012, partial lunar eclipse is that the astronomical event occurs as number 24 in Saros series 140’s lineup of 77 lunar eclipses and as number four in the series’ sequence of eight partial lunar eclipses.

Penumbral lunar eclipse of Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2968, will close Saros 140’s lineup of 77 lunar eclipses: "Permission is freely granted to reproduce this data when accompanied by an acknowledgment, Eclipse Predictions by Fred Espenak (NASA's GSFC)," via NASA Eclipse Web Site

Acknowledgment

My special thanks to talented artists and photographers/concerned organizations who make their fine images available on the internet.

Image credits:

Penumbral lunar eclipse of Sunday, Sep. 25, 1597, opened Saros 140’s lineup of 77 lunar eclipses: "Permission is freely granted to reproduce this data when accompanied by an acknowledgment, Eclipse Predictions by Fred Espenak (NASA's GSFC)," via NASA Eclipse Web Site @ https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/5MCLEmap/1501-1600/LE1597-09-25N.gif

Penumbral lunar eclipse of Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2968, will close Saros 140’s lineup of 77 lunar eclipses: "Permission is freely granted to reproduce this data when accompanied by an acknowledgment, Eclipse Predictions by Fred Espenak (NASA's GSFC)," via NASA Eclipse Web Site @ https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/5MCLEmap/2901-3000/LE2968-01-06N.gif

For further information:

Espenak, Fred. “Eclipses During 2012.” NASA Eclipse Web Site > Lunar Eclipses > Lunar Eclipses: Past and Future.
Available via NASA Eclipse Web Site @ https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/OH/OH2012.html

Espenak, Fred. “Key to Catalog of Lunar Eclipse Saros Series." NASA Eclipse Web Site > Lunar Eclipses > Catalog of Lunar Eclipse Saros Series > Lunar Eclipses of Saros Series 1 to 180.
Available via NASA Eclipse Web Site @ https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/LEsaros/LEsaroscatkey.html

Espenak, Fred. “Partial 1994 May 25." NASA Eclipse Web Site > Lunar Eclipses > Lunar Eclipse Page: Lunar Eclipse Catalogs: Catalog of Lunar Eclipse Saros Series > Catalog of Lunar Eclipse Saros Series: Lunar Eclipses of Saros Series 1 to 180: Summary of Saros Series 126 to 150: 140 > Catalog of Lunar Eclipse Saros Series: Saros Series 140: 23 -15 1994 May 25.
Available via NASA Eclipse Web Site @ https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/5MCLEmap/1901-2000/LE1994-05-25P.gif

Espenak, Fred. “Partial 2012 Jun 04." NASA Eclipse Web Site > Lunar Eclipses > Lunar Eclipse Page: Lunar Eclipse Catalogs: Catalog of Lunar Eclipse Saros Series > Catalog of Lunar Eclipse Saros Series: Lunar Eclipses of Saros Series 1 to 180: Summary of Saros Series 126 to 150: 140 > Catalog of Lunar Eclipse Saros Series: Saros Series 140: 24 -14 2012 Jun 04.
Available via NASA Eclipse Web Site @ https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/5MCLEmap/2001-2100/LE2012-06-04P.gif

Espenak, Fred. “Partial 2030 Jun 15." NASA Eclipse Web Site > Lunar Eclipses > Lunar Eclipse Page: Lunar Eclipse Catalogs: Catalog of Lunar Eclipse Saros Series > Catalog of Lunar Eclipse Saros Series: Lunar Eclipses of Saros Series 1 to 180: Summary of Saros Series 126 to 150: 140 > Catalog of Lunar Eclipse Saros Series: Saros Series 140: 25 -13 2030 Jun 15.
Available via NASA Eclipse Web Site @ https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/5MCLEmap/2001-2100/LE2030-06-15P.gif

Espenak, Fred. “Partial Lunar Eclipse of 1994 May 25.” EclipseWise > Lunar Eclipses > Lunar Eclipse Links > Six Millennium Catalog of Lunar Eclipses -2999 to +3000 (3000 BCE to 3000 CE) > 1901 to 2000 (1901 CE to 2000 CE).
Available via EclipseWise @ http://eclipsewise.com/lunar/LEprime/1901-2000/LE1994May25Pprime.html

Espenak, Fred. “Partial Lunar Eclipse of 2012 Jun 04.” EclipseWise > Lunar Eclipses > Lunar Eclipse Links > Six Millennium Catalog of Lunar Eclipses -2999 to +3000 (3000 BCE to 3000 CE) > 2001 to 2100 (2001 CE to 2100 CE).
Available via EclipseWise @ http://eclipsewise.com/lunar/LEprime/2001-2100/LE2012Jun04Pprime.html

Espenak, Fred. “Partial Lunar Eclipse of 2030 Jun 15.” EclipseWise > Lunar Eclipses > Lunar Eclipse Links > Six Millennium Catalog of Lunar Eclipses -2999 to +3000 (3000 BCE to 3000 CE) > 2001 to 2100 (2001 CE to 2100 CE).
Available via EclipseWise @ http://eclipsewise.com/lunar/LEprime/2001-2100/LE2030Jun15Pprime.html

Espenak, Fred. “Penumbral 1597 Sep 25." NASA Eclipse Web Site > Lunar Eclipses > Lunar Eclipse Page: Lunar Eclipse Catalogs: Catalog of Lunar Eclipse Saros Series > Catalog of Lunar Eclipse Saros Series: Lunar Eclipses of Saros Series 1 to 180: Summary of Saros Series 126 to 150: 140 > Catalog of Lunar Eclipse Saros Series: Saros Series 140: 01 -37 1597 Sep 25.
Available via NASA Eclipse Web Site @ https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/5MCLEmap/1501-1600/LE1597-09-25N.gif

Espenak, Fred. “Penumbral 2968 Jan 06." NASA Eclipse Web Site > Lunar Eclipses > Lunar Eclipse Page: Lunar Eclipse Catalogs: Catalog of Lunar Eclipse Saros Series > Catalog of Lunar Eclipse Saros Series: Lunar Eclipses of Saros Series 1 to 180: Summary of Saros Series 126 to 150: 140 > Catalog of Lunar Eclipse Saros Series: Saros Series 140: 77 39 2968 Jan 06.
Available via NASA Eclipse Web Site @ https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/5MCLEmap/2901-3000/LE2968-01-06N.gif

Espenak, Fred. “Penumbral Lunar Eclipse of 1597 Sep 25.” EclipseWise > Lunar Eclipses > Lunar Eclipse Links > Six Millennium Catalog of Lunar Eclipses -2999 to +3000 (3000 BCE to 3000 CE) > 1501 to 1600 (1501 CE to 1600 CE).
Available via EclipseWise @ http://eclipsewise.com/lunar/LEprime/1501-1600/LE1597Sep25Nprime.html

Espenak, Fred. “Penumbral Lunar Eclipse of 2968 Jan 06.” EclipseWise > Lunar Eclipses > Lunar Eclipse Links > Six Millennium Catalog of Lunar Eclipses -2999 to +3000 (3000 BCE to 3000 CE) > 2901 to 3000 (2901 CE to 3000 CE).
Available via EclipseWise @ http://eclipsewise.com/lunar/LEprime/2901-3000/LE2968Jan06Nprime.html

Espenak, Fred; Jean Meeus. "Saros Series 140." NASA Eclipse Web Site > Lunar Eclipses > Catalog of Lunar Eclipse Saros Series.
Available via NASA Eclipse Web Site @ https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/LEsaros/LEsaros140.html

Marriner, Derdriu. “Dec. 10, 2011, Total Lunar Eclipse Belongs to Saros Series 135.” Earth and Space News. Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2011.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2011/11/dec-10-2011-total-lunar-eclipse-belongs.html

Marriner, Derdriu. “June 15, 2011, Total Lunar Eclipse Belongs to Saros Series 130.” Earth and Space News. Wednesday, June 15, 2011.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2011/06/june-15-2011-total-lunar-eclipse.html

Smith, Ian Cameron. “Penumbral Lunar Eclipse of 25 Sep, 1597 AD.” Moon Blink > Hermit Eclipse > Eclipse Database > Full Solar Catalog > 1001-2000 AD > 1501 AD > 1581-1600 AD.
Available @ https://moonblink.info/Eclipse/eclipse/1597_09_25

Smith, Ian Cameron. “Penumbral Lunar Eclipse of 6 Jan, 2968 AD.” Moon Blink > Hermit Eclipse > Eclipse Database > Full Solar Catalog > 2001-3000 AD > 2901 AD > 2961-2980 AD.
Available @ https://moonblink.info/Eclipse/eclipse/2968_01_06

Smith, Ian Cameron. “Partial Lunar Eclipse of 4 Jun, 2012 AD.” Moon Blink > Hermit Eclipse > Eclipse Database > Full Lunar Catalog > 2001-3000 AD > 2001 AD > 2001-2020 AD.
Available @ https://moonblink.info/Eclipse/eclipse/2012_06_04

Smith, Ian Cameron. “Partial Lunar Eclipse of 15 Jun, 2030 AD.” Moon Blink > Hermit Eclipse > Eclipse Database > Full Lunar Catalog > 2001-3000 AD > 2001 AD > 2021-2040 AD.
Available @ https://moonblink.info/Eclipse/eclipse/2030_06_15

Smith, Ian Cameron. “Partial Lunar Eclipse of 25 May, 1994 AD.” Moon Blink > Hermit Eclipse > Eclipse Database > Full Solar Catalog > 1001-2000 AD > 1901 AD > 1981-2000 AD.
Available @ https://moonblink.info/Eclipse/eclipse/1994_05_25

First 2012 Solar Eclipse Is Annular Solar Eclipse Sunday, May 20

Summary: The first 2012 solar eclipse is an annular solar eclipse Sunday, May 20, favoring eastern Asia, the North Pacific Ocean and western North America.

Earth visibility chart and eclipse data for partial solar eclipse of May 20, 2012: "Permission is freely granted to reproduce this data when accompanied by an acknowledgment, Eclipse Predictions by Fred Espenak, NASA GSFC Emeritus," via NASA Eclipse Web Site

The first 2012 solar eclipse is an annular solar eclipse Sunday, May 20, with a 240 to 300 kilometer-wide (149.129 to 186.411 mile-wide) path of annularity favoring eastern Asia, the North Pacific Ocean and western North America.

On the NASA Eclipse Web Site, retired astrophysicist Fred Espenak, known as “Mr. Eclipse,” explains that the moon’s one-day old reach of apogee accounts for the eclipse’s wide path of annularity. The moon’s passage through its greatest monthly center-to-center distance from Earth takes place Saturday, May 19, at 16:13 Universal Time. May’s apogee logs 406,451 kilometers (252,556.942 miles) between moon and Earth. May's apogee also rates as the year's greatest center-to-center distance.

The moon’s great distance from Earth prevents complete coverage of the sun, from Earth’s perspective. The sun’s limbs extend beyond the obscuring moon to form an annulus (Latin: “little ring”).

The path of annularity registers the sweep of the lunar antumbral shadow across Earth’s surface. As the shadow’s third region, the antumbra (Latin: ante “before” + umbra “shadow”) extends beyond the umbra, which comprises the shadow’s darkest, innermost region.

The path of annularity begins Sunday, May 20, at 22:06:16.9 UT (Monday, May 21, at 6:06 a.m. CST China Standard Time) in southeastern China.

“Mr. Eclipse” notes that as the eastward-traveling antumbral shadow traverses Japan’s east coast, the central line duration of annularity increases from 4.4 to 5.0 minutes. The central line maps the traversal of the central axis of the lunar shadow cone across Earth’s surface. Annularity endures longest on the central line and decreases to zero at the path’s limits. Located 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) north of the central line, Tokyo experiences a five-minute-long annular phase, commencing Sunday, May 20, at 22:32 UT (Monday, May 21, at 7:32 a.m. JST Japan Standard Time).

At a velocity of 1.1 kilometers per second (0.68 miles per second), the antumbral shadow scoots away from Japan and bears northeast for its sweep across the North Pacific Ocean. The next major component of the event takes place over open ocean.

Greatest eclipse happens Sunday, May 20, at 23:52:446.6 UT. Greatest eclipse captures the instant of the axis of the lunar shadow cone’s closest passage to Earth's center. At greatest eclipse, the duration of annularity is 5 minutes 46 seconds. The path of annularity has a width of 237 kilometers (147.265 miles). The sun appears at a placement of 61 degrees above the open North Pacific Ocean’s flat horizon.

The oceanic component of the path of annularity covers around 7,000 kilometers (4,349.598 miles). The journey lasts for nearly two hours.

The path of annularity leaves the North Pacific Ocean for western North America coastlines in southern Oregon and northern California. Reestablished land contact occurs Monday, May 21, at 01:23 UT (Sunday, May 20, 6:23 p.m. PDT Pacific Daylight Time).

The sun’s altitude and the duration of annularity drop after the antumbral shadow’s continental arrival. The annular phase begins Monday, May 21, at 01:26 UT in Redding, California (Sunday, May 20, at 6:26 p.m. PDT). The phase lasts for 4.5 minutes. The sun’s placement is 20 degrees above the horizon.

Eight seconds later, the antumbral shadow touches Albuquerque, New Mexico. Although the central duration still measures 4.5 minutes, the sun clings to a low altitude of only five degrees.

The path of annularity ends in Texas, south of the Texas Panhandle. The May 2012 annular eclipse ends Monday, May 21, at 01:39:10.9 UT (Sunday, May 20, at 8:39 p.m. CDT Central Daylight Time). With the sun hovering near the horizon, viewers need an observation site giving free sight to the west-northwest.

The antumbral shadow’s trajectory spans around 3 hours 33 minutes. Its path treks across 13,600 kilometers (8,450.648 miles).

A partial solar eclipse frames the annular eclipse. The partial solar eclipse begins Sunday, May 20, at 20:56:07.0 UT (Monday, May 21, at 4:56 a.m. CST; Sunday, May 20, at 1:56 p.m. PDT; Sunday, May 20, at 3:56 p.m. CDT). End time for the partial solar eclipse is Monday, May 21, at 02:49:21.5 UT (Sunday, May 20, at 7:49 p.m. PDT and at 9:49 p.m. CDT). Partiality covers a wider path across eastern Asia, the Pacific Ocean and North America’s Canada and United States than that of annularity.

The most recent predecessor of May 2012's annular solar eclipse occurred Friday, Jan. 15, 2010, as an Eastern Hemisphere event. The path of annularity favored central Africa, the Indian Ocean and eastern Asia.

The next successor to May 2012's annular solar eclipse occurs almost one year later on Friday, May 10, 2013, primarily as a Southern Hemisphere event. The path of annularity favors Australia but also including low latitudes of the Pacific Ocean north of the equator.

The May 2012 annular solar eclipse belongs to Saros series 128. Eclipses are gathered into families, known as series. A Saros cycle has a time span of approximately 6,585.3 days (18 years 11 days 8 hours).

Observers of the annular and partial phases of May 2012’s solar eclipse should not look directly at the sun. Use of proper equipment and following of proper techniques are necessary for safe viewing of May 2012’s solar eclipse.

The takeaway for the first 2012 solar eclipse, which occurs as an annular solar eclipse Sunday, May 20, is the event’s primary favoring of eastern Asia, the North Pacific Ocean, and western North America for the path of annularity.

path of visibility of annular solar eclipse of May 20, 2012, across western United States: "Permission is freely granted to reproduce this data when accompanied by an acknowledgment, Eclipse Predictions by Fred Espenak, NASA GSFC Emeritus," via NASA Eclipse Web Site

Acknowledgment

My special thanks to talented artists and photographers/concerned organizations who make their fine images available on the internet.

Image credits:

Earth visibility chart and eclipse data for partial solar eclipse of May 20, 2012: "Permission is freely granted to reproduce this data when accompanied by an acknowledgment, Eclipse Predictions by Fred Espenak, NASA GSFC Emeritus," via NASA Eclipse Web Site @ https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/OH/OHfigures/OH2012-Fig01.pdf

path of visibility of annular solar eclipse of May 20, 2012, across western United States: "Permission is freely granted to reproduce this data when accompanied by an acknowledgment, Eclipse Predictions by Fred Espenak, NASA GSFC Emeritus," via NASA Eclipse Web Site @ https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/OH/OHfigures/OH2012-Fig02.pdf

For further information:

Espenak, Fred. “Annular Solar Eclipse of 2012 May 20.” NASA Eclipse Web Site > Solar Eclipses > Google Maps and Solar Eclipse Paths > Solar Eclipses Google 2001.
Available via NASA Eclipse Web Site @ https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEgoogle/SEgoogle2001/SE2012May20Agoogle.html

Espenak, Fred. “Eclipses During 2012.” NASA Eclipse Web Site > Observer’s Handbook.
Available via NASA Eclipse Web Site @ https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/OH/OH2012.html

Espenak, Fred. “Figure 2: Annular Solar Eclipse of 2012 May 20.” NASA Eclipse Web Site > Solar Eclipses > Solar Eclipse Page > Solar Eclipses Past and Future: Eclipses During 2012 > Eclipses During 2012: 2012 May 20 Annular Solar Eclipse: Figure 2.
Available via NASA Eclipse Web Site @ https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/OH/OHfigures/OH2012-Fig02.pdf

Espenak, Fred. “Figure 3: Annular Solar Eclipse of 2012 May 20.” NASA Eclipse Web Site > Solar Eclipses > Solar Eclipse Page > Solar Eclipses Past and Future: Eclipses During 2012 > Eclipses During 2012: 2012 May 20 Annular Solar Eclipse: Annular Solar Eclipse of May 20.
Available via NASA Eclipse Web Site @ https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/OH/OHfigures/OH2012-Fig02.pdf

Espenak, Fred. “Five Millennium Catalog of Solar Eclipses: 2001 to 2100 (2001 CE to 2100 CE).” NASA Eclipse Web Site > Solar Eclipses.
Available via NASA Eclipse Web Site @ https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEcat5/SE2001-2100.html

Espenak, Fred. “Greatest Eclipse.” NASA Eclipse Web Site > Glossary of Solar Eclipse Terms.
Available via NASA Eclipse Web Site @ https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEhelp/SEglossary.html

Espenak, Fred. “Moon at Perigee and Apogee: 2001 to 2100 Greenwich Mean Time.” AstroPixels > Ephemeris > Moon.
Available via AstroPixels @ http://astropixels.com/ephemeris/moon/moonperap2001.html

Espenak, Fred. “Table 1: Path of the Antumbral Shadow of the Annular Solar Eclipse of 2012 May 20.” NASA Eclipse Web Site > Observer’s Handbook > Observer’s Handbook Tables > Observer’s Handbook 2012.
Available via NASA Eclipse Web Site @ https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/OH/OHtables/OH2012-Tab01.pdf

Espenak, Fred. “Table 2: Local Circumstances for the Annular Solar Eclipse of 2012 May 20 For Canada, Mexico and Asia.” NASA Eclipse Web Site > Observer’s Handbook > Observer’s Handbook Tables > Observer’s Handbook 2012.
Available via NASA Eclipse Web Site @ https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/OH/OHtables/OH2012-Tab02.pdf

Espenak, Fred. “Table 3: Local Circumstances for the Annular Solar Eclipse of 2012 May 20 For the United States.” NASA Eclipse Web Site > Observer’s Handbook > Observer’s Handbook Tables > Observer’s Handbook 2012.
Available via NASA Eclipse Web Site @ https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/OH/OHtables/OH2012-Tab03.pdf

Littmann, Mark; Ken Willcox; Fred Espenak. “Observing Solar Eclipses Safely.” MrEclipse > Totality.
Available @ http://www.mreclipse.com/Totality2/TotalityCh11.html

Marriner, Derdriu. "May 20, 2012, Annular Solar Eclipse Belongs to Saros Series 128." Earth and Space News. Wednesday, May 9, 2012.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2012/05/may-20-2012-annular-solar-eclipse.html

“May 20/21, 2012 -- Annular Solar Eclipse.” TimeAndDate > Sun & Moon > Eclipses.
Available @ https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/solar/2014-october-23

May 20, 2012, Annular Solar Eclipse Belongs to Saros Series 128

Summary: The Friday, May 20, 2012, annular solar eclipse belongs to Saros cycle 128, a series of 73 similar solar eclipses.

Partial solar eclipse of Aug. 29, 984, opened Saros solar series 128’s lineup of 73 solar eclipses: "Permission is freely granted to reproduce this data when accompanied by an acknowledgment, Eclipse Predictions by Fred Espenak (NASA's GSFC)," via NASA Eclipse Web Site

The Friday, May 20, 2012, annular solar eclipse belongs to Saros cycle 128, which comprises 73 solar eclipses with similar geometries.

May’s annular solar eclipse begins Sunday, May 20, 2012, at 20:56:07.0 Universal Time, according to the NASA Eclipse Web Site. Greatest eclipse takes place at 23:52:46.6 UT. Greatest eclipse refers to the instant of the closest passage of the lunar shadow cone’s axis to Earth’s center. The eclipse ends at 02:49:21.5 UT.

May 2012’s annular solar eclipse numbers as 58 in the lineup of 73 solar eclipses that compose Saros cycle 128. Similar geometries unite the 73 solar eclipses into a family, known as a series.

The NASA Eclipse Web Site describes Saros 128 solar eclipses as sharing the geometry of occurring at the moon’s descending node. With each succeeding eclipse in Saros 128, the lunar movement is northward of the descending node.

A pair of ascending and descending nodes expresses the intersections of Earth’s orbit by the moon’s orbit. The approximately 5.1 degree tilt of the moon’s orbit with respect to Earth’s orbit explains the two nodes. The ascending node relates to the lunar orbital crossing to the north of Earth’s orbit. The descending node identifies the lunar orbital crossing to the south of Earth’s orbit.

The Saros cycle of approximately 6,585.3 days (18 years 11 days 8 hours) controls the periodicity and recurrence of solar eclipses. Each Saros series involves 70 or more eclipses. A typical timeline of over 12 to 13 centuries encases each Saros series.

Saros solar series 128 lasts for 1,298.17 years, according to the NASA Eclipse Web Site. The series covers 14 centuries. Saros solar series 128 spans the 10th through 23rd centuries.

Solar eclipses in Saros series 128 display a sequence order of 24 partial solar eclipses, four total solar eclipses, four hybrid solar eclipses, 32 annular solar eclipses and nine partial solar eclipses. Partial solar eclipses supply the most number of eclipses to Saros series 123, with a total of 33 occurrences. Annular solar eclipses are the second most frequent, with a total of 32 occurrences.

The partial solar eclipse of Aug. 29, 984, opened Saros solar series 128. This Southern Hemisphere event’s greatest eclipse, with coordinates of 61.3 south at 18.5 west, occurred over the Southern Ocean, off East Antarctica.

The partial solar eclipse of Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2282, will close Saros solar series 128. This Northern Hemisphere event’s greatest eclipse, with coordinates of 62.1 north at 163.0 east, will favor the Russian Far East.

The annular solar eclipse of Friday, May 20, 2012, numbers as 26 in Saros solar series 128’s sequence of 32 annular solar eclipses. This event’s greatest eclipse, with coordinates of 49.1 north at 176.3 east, occurred over the northern Pacific Ocean, southwest of the Rat Islands archipelago in southwestern Alaska's Aleutian Islands.

An annular solar eclipse on Tuesday, May 10, 1994, was the immediate predecessor of the May 2012 annular solar eclipse in Saros solar series 128. This event’s greatest eclipse, with coordinates of 41.5 north at 84.1 west, occurred over Fulton County, northwestern Ohio, in the Midwestern United States.

The May 1994 annular solar eclipse took place as number 25 in Saros solar series 128’s sequence of 32 annular solar eclipses. This eclipse numbered 57 in the series’ lineup of 73 solar eclipses.

An annular solar eclipse on Saturday, June 1, 2030, succeeds the May 2012 annular solar eclipse in Saros solar series 128. This event will stage its greatest eclipse, with coordinates of 56.5 north at 80.1 east, over Russia’s Novosibirsk Oblast in southwestern Siberia.

The June 2030 annular solar eclipse will occur as number 27 in Saros solar series 128’s sequence of 32 annular solar eclipses. This eclipse numbered 59 in the series’ lineup of 73 solar eclipses.

The takeaway for the Friday, May 20, 2012, annular solar eclipse is that the astronomical event numbers as 58 in Saros solar series 128’s lineup of 73 solar eclipses and as 26 within the series’ sequence of 32 annular solar eclipses.

Partial solar eclipse of Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2282, will close Saros solar series 128’s lineup of 73 solar eclipses: "Permission is freely granted to reproduce this data when accompanied by an acknowledgment, Eclipse Predictions by Fred Espenak (NASA's GSFC)," via NASA Eclipse Web Site @ https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/5MCSEmap/2201-2300/2282-11-01.gif

Acknowledgment

My special thanks to talented artists and photographers/concerned organizations who make their fine images available on the internet.

Image credits:

Partial solar eclipse of Aug. 29, 984, opened Saros solar series 128’s lineup of 73 solar eclipses: "Permission is freely granted to reproduce this data when accompanied by an acknowledgment, Eclipse Predictions by Fred Espenak (NASA's GSFC)," via NASA Eclipse Web Site @ https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/5MCSEmap/0901-1000/984-08-29.gif

Partial solar eclipse of Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2282, will close Saros solar series 128’s lineup of 73 solar eclipses: "Permission is freely granted to reproduce this data when accompanied by an acknowledgment, Eclipse Predictions by Fred Espenak (NASA's GSFC)," via NASA Eclipse Web Site @ https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/5MCSEmap/2201-2300/2282-11-01.gif

For further information:

Espenak, Fred. “Annular 1994 May 10.” NASA Eclipse Web Site > Solar Eclipses > Solar Eclipse Page: Solar Eclipse Catalogs: Saros Catalog of Solar Eclipses: Saros 0-180 > Eclipses and the Saros: Return to Catalog of Solar Eclipse Saros Series > Catalog of Solar Eclipse Saros Series: Solar Eclipses of Saros 0 to 180: Summary of Saros Series 125 to 150: 128 > Saros Series Catalog of Solar Eclipses: Saros Series 128: Catalog of Solar Eclipses of Saros 128: 09495 14 1994 May 10.
Available via NASA Eclipse Web Site @ https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/5MCSEmap/1901-2000/1994-05-10.gif

Espenak, Fred. “Annular 2012 May 20.” NASA Eclipse Web Site > Solar Eclipses > Solar Eclipse Page: Solar Eclipse Catalogs: Saros Catalog of Solar Eclipses: Saros 0-180 > Eclipses and the Saros: Return to Catalog of Solar Eclipse Saros Series > Catalog of Solar Eclipse Saros Series: Solar Eclipses of Saros 0 to 180: Summary of Saros Series 125 to 150: 128 > Saros Series Catalog of Solar Eclipses: Saros Series 128: Catalog of Solar Eclipses of Saros 128: 09535 15 2012 May 20.
Available via NASA Eclipse Web Site @ https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/5MCSEmap/2001-2100/2012-05-20.gif

Espenak, Fred. “Annular 2030 Jun 01.” NASA Eclipse Web Site > Solar Eclipses > Solar Eclipse Page: Solar Eclipse Catalogs: Saros Catalog of Solar Eclipses: Saros 0-180 > Eclipses and the Saros: Return to Catalog of Solar Eclipse Saros Series > Catalog of Solar Eclipse Saros Series: Solar Eclipses of Saros 0 to 180: Summary of Saros Series 125 to 150: 128 > Saros Series Catalog of Solar Eclipses: Saros Series 128: Catalog of Solar Eclipses of Saros 128: 09575 16 2030 Jun 01.
Available via NASA Eclipse Web Site @ https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/5MCSEmap/2001-2100/2030-06-01.gif

Espenak, Fred. “Annular Solar Eclipse of 1994 May 10 EclipseWise > Solar Eclipses > Solar Eclipse Links > Six Millennium Catalog of Solar Eclipses -2999 to 3000 (3000 BCE to 3000 CE) > 1901 to 2000 (1901 CE to 2000 CE).
Available via EclipseWise @ http://eclipsewise.com/solar/SEprime/1901-2000/SE1994May10Aprime.html

Espenak, Fred. “Annular Solar Eclipse of 2012 May 20.” EclipseWise > Solar Eclipses > Solar Eclipse Links > Six Millennium Catalog of Solar Eclipses -2999 to 3000 (3000 BCE to 3000 CE) > 2001 to 2100 (2001 CE to 2100 CE).
Available via EclipseWise @ http://eclipsewise.com/solar/SEprime/2001-2100/SE2012May20Aprime.html

Espenak, Fred. “Annular Solar Eclipse of 2030 Jun 01.” EclipseWise > Solar Eclipses > Solar Eclipse Links > Six Millennium Catalog of Solar Eclipses -2999 to 3000 (3000 BCE to 3000 CE) > 2001 to 2100 (2001 CE to 2100 CE).
Available via EclipseWise @ http://eclipsewise.com/solar/SEprime/2001-2100/SE2030Jun01Aprime.html

Espenak, Fred. “Annular Solar Eclipse of May 20.” NASA Eclipse Web Site > Solar Eclipses > Solar Eclipses: Past and Future > Eclipses During 2012.
Available @ https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/OH/OH2012.html

Espenak, Fred. “Eclipses and the Saros.” NASA Eclipse Web Site > Solar Eclipses > Solar Eclipse Catalogs > Saros Catalog of Solar Eclipses: Saros 0-180.
Available via NASA Eclipse Web Site @ https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEsaros/SEsaros.html

Espenak, Fred. “Key to Solar Eclipse Maps.” NASA Eclipse Web Site > Solar Eclipses > Resources.
Available via NASA Eclipse Web Site @ https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEcat5/SEmapkey.html

Espenak, Fred. “Partial 0984 Aug 29.” NASA Eclipse Web Site > Solar Eclipses > Solar Eclipse Page: Solar Eclipse Catalogs: Saros Catalog of Solar Eclipses: Saros 0-180 > Eclipses and the Saros: Return to Catalog of Solar Eclipse Saros Series > Catalog of Solar Eclipse Saros Series: Solar Eclipses of Saros 0 to 180: Summary of Saros Series 125 to 150: 128 > Saros Series Catalog of Solar Eclipses: Saros Series 128: Catalog of Solar Eclipses of Saros 128: 07088 -42 0984 Aug 29.
Available via NASA Eclipse Web Site @ https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/5MCSEmap/0901-1000/984-08-29.gif

Espenak, Fred. “Partial 2282 Nov 01.” NASA Eclipse Web Site > Solar Eclipses > Solar Eclipse Page: Solar Eclipse Catalogs: Saros Catalog of Solar Eclipses: Saros 0-180 > Eclipses and the Saros: Return to Catalog of Solar Eclipse Saros Series > Catalog of Solar Eclipse Saros Series: Solar Eclipses of Saros 0 to 180: Summary of Saros Series 125 to 150: 128 > Saros Series Catalog of Solar Eclipses: Saros Series 128: Catalog of Solar Eclipses of Saros 128: 10171 30 2282 Nov 01.
Available via NASA Eclipse Web Site @ https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/5MCSEmap/2201-2300/2282-11-01.gif

Espenak, Fred. “Partial Solar Eclipse of 0984 Aug 29.” EclipseWise > Solar Eclipses > Solar Eclipse Links > Six Millennium Catalog of Solar Eclipses -2999 to 3000 (3000 BCE to 3000 CE) > 0901 to 1000 (901 CE to 1000 CE).
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Espenak, Fred. “Partial Solar Eclipse of 2282 Nov 01.” EclipseWise > Solar Eclipses > Solar Eclipse Links > Six Millennium Catalog of Solar Eclipses -2999 to 3000 (3000 BCE to 3000 CE) > 2201 to 2300 (2201 CE to 2300 CE).
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Marriner, Derdriu. "Nov. 25, 2011, Partial Solar Eclipse Belongs to Saros Series 123." Earth and Space News. Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2011.
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Carrington Crater Honors British Astronomer Richard Carrington

Summary: Carrington Crater honors British astronomer Richard Carrington, whose observations included solar flares and solar differential rotation.

Detail of Lunar Astronautical Chart (LAC) 28 shows Carrington Crater as a near side crater, with Lacus Spei and Lacus Temporis as nearest eastern and western maria and with two Mercurius satellites (F, G) and Schumacher as nearest named craters, to the northeast and southwest, respectively; courtesy NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) / GSFC (Goddard Space Flight Center) / ASU (Arizona State University): U.S. Geological Survey, Public Domain, via USGS Astrogeology Science Center / Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature

Carrington Crater honors British astronomer Richard Carrington, whose astronomical observations included studying solar flares and solar differential rotation.

Carrington is a lunar impact crater in the near side’s northeastern quadrant. A slight protrusion at the crater’s northern end accounts for the feature’s teardrop shape. Carrington exhibits a nearly level interior floor.

Carrington is centered at 43.97 degrees north latitude, 62.04 degrees east longitude, according to the International Astronomical Union’s (IAU) Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. The northern hemisphere crater records northernmost and southernmost latitudes of 44.43 degrees north and 43.51 degrees north, respectively. It registers easternmost and westernmost longitudes of 62.67 degrees east and 61.4 degrees east, respectively. Carrington has a diameter of 27.77 kilometers.

Carrington occurs as a middle- to polar-latitude crater between two small lunar maria. Lacus Spei (Lake of Hope) lies to the east of Carrington. Lacus Temporis (Lake of Time) is located to the northwest of Carrington.

Irregularly shaped Lacus Spei is centered at 43.46 degrees north latitude, 65.2 degrees east longitude. The dark lunar mare’s northernmost and southernmost latitudes stretch from 44.56 degrees north and 42.51 degrees north, respectively. Its easternmost and westernmost longitudes reach 66.94 degrees east and 63.69 degrees east, respectively. Lacus Spei’s diameter measures 76.67 kilometers.

Relatively smooth Lacus Temporis comprises two fairly circular patches. Two prominent, small, cup-shaped craters mark the intersection of the lunar mare’s two lobes.

Lacus Temporis is centered at 46.77 degrees north latitude, 56.21 degrees east longitude. The lobate mare posts northernmost and southernmost latitudes of 49.36 degrees north and 43.81 degrees north, respectively. It marks easternmost and westernmost longitudes of 60.56 degrees east and 52.13 degrees east, respectively. Lacus Temporis has a diameter of 205.3 kilometers.

Three named craters conspicuously frame Carrington. Schumacher lies to the southwest of Carrington. Mercurius F and Mercurius G are sited to the northeast of Carrington.

Mercurius F and Mercurius G number among 12 satellites in the Mercurius Crater system. Mercurius G resides to the east of Mercurius F.

Mercurius F is centered at 45.19 degrees north latitude, 62.85 degrees east longitude. Satellite F obtains northernmost and southernmost latitudes of 45.42 degrees north and 44.97 degrees north, respectively. Its easternmost and westernmost longitudes occur at 63.17 degrees east and 62.53 degrees east, respectively. Mercurius F has a diameter of 13.8 kilometers.

Mercurius G is centered at 45.11 degrees north latitude, 64.22 degrees east longitude. Satellite G finds northernmost and southernmost latitudes at 45.34 degrees north and 44.88 degrees north, respectively. Easternmost and westernmost longitudes are obtained at 64.54 degrees east and 63.89 degrees east, respectively. Mercurius G’s diameter measures 13.91 kilometers.

Carrington Crater honors British astronomer Richard Christopher Carrington (May 26, 1826-Nov. 27, 1875). The International Astronomical Union approved Carrington as the crater’s official name in 1935, during the organization’s Vth (5th) General Assembly, which was held in Paris, France, from Wednesday, July 10, to Wednesday, July 17.

Richard Christopher Carrington’s first astronomical post, which he held from October 1849 to March 1852, was as observer in the University of Durham in North East England. On March 14, 1851, during his tenure at Durham, the Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) admitted him as a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society (FRAS).

He resigned from Durham in order to search for an appropriate site for his own observatory and home. In early June 1852 he settled on Furze Hill in Redhill, Surrey, South East England. In 1857, he published A Catalogue of 3,735 Circumpolar Stars Observed at Redhill in the Years 1854, 1855, and 1856, and Reduced to Mean Positions for 1855. The Royal Astronomical Society recognized the publication with its Gold Medal, which was presented to Carrington on Feb. 11, 1859.

The Royal Society’s webpage notes Carrington’s election as a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS) on June 7, 1860. His Royal Society record cites Carrington’s Catalogue of 3735 Circumpolar Stars, his founding of the Observatory at Redhill, his “acquaintance with the science of Astronomy, and his zeal in promoting its objects” as his astronomical contributions.

Carrington balanced observations of the nighttime sky with daytime studies of the sun. On Sep. 1, 1859, first observations of a solar flare were made independently by Carrington at Redhill and by English publisher and amateur astronomer Richard Hodgson (1804-May 4, 1872). Carrington based his formulation of solar rotation, known as the Carrington rotation, upon sunspot observations that he conducted from 1854 through 1857. In 1863, he published Observations of the Spots on the Sun From November 9, 1853, to March 24, 1861.

The takeaways for Carrington Crater, which honors British astronomer Richard Carrington, are that the near side crater lies between Lacus Spei and Lacus Temporis in the northeastern quadrant; that the crater’s namesake received the Royal Astronomical Society’s Gold Medal in 1859 for his catalog of circumpolar star observations made from his personal observatory in Redhill, Surrey, South East England; that he determined solar rotation from his observations of sunspots; and that the first observation of a solar flare is credited to independent viewings on Sep. 1, 1859, to Richard Carrington and Richard Hodgson.

Detail of Shaded Relief and Color-Coded Topography Map shows Carrington Crater in the lunar near side’s northeastern quadrant: U.S. Geological Survey, Public Domain, via USGS Astrogeology Science Center / Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature

Acknowledgment

My special thanks to talented artists and photographers/concerned organizations who make their fine images available on the internet.

Image credits:

Detail of Lunar Astronautical Chart (LAC) 28 shows Carrington Crater as a near side crater, with Lacus Spei and Lacus Temporis as nearest eastern and western maria and with two Mercurius satellites (F, G) and Schumacher as nearest named craters, to the northeast and southwest, respectively; courtesy NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) / GSFC (Goddard Space Flight Center) / ASU (Arizona State University): U.S. Geological Survey, Public Domain, via USGS Astrogeology Science Center / Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature @ https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/images/Lunar/lac28_wac.pdf

Detail of Shaded Relief and Color-Coded Topography Map shows Carrington Crater in the lunar near side’s northeastern quadrant: U.S. Geological Survey, Public Domain, via USGS Astrogeology Science Center / Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature @ https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/images/moon_nearside.pdf

For further information:

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Available via Harvard ADSABS @ http://adsabs.harvard.edu/full/1973JBAA...83..122B
Available via Harvard ADSABS @ http://adsabs.harvard.edu/pdf/1973JBAA...83..122B

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Carrington, R.C. (Richard Christopher). “Results of Astronomical Observations Made at the Observatory of the University, Durham, From October 1849 to April 1852, Under the General Direction of the Rev. Temple Chevallier, B.D., F.R.A.S., Professor of Mathematics and Astronomy.” Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, vol. 15, issue 8 (June 1855): 213-215.
Available via Oxford Academic @ https://academic.oup.com/mnras/article/15/8/213/2603162

Carrington, Richard Christopher. A Catalogue of 3,735 Circumpolar Stars Observed at Redhill in the Years 1854, 1855, and 1856, and Reduced to Mean Positions for 1855. London, England: G.E. Eyre and W. Spottiswoode, 1857.
Available via HathiTrust @ https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/001475298

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Available via Internet Archive @ https://archive.org/details/observationsofsp00carr/

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Available @ https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Feature/11347

International Astronomical Union (IAU) / U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. “Schumacher.” USGS Astrogeology Science Center > Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature > Nomenclature > The Moon. Last updated Oct. 18, 2010.
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Available @ https://the-moon.us/wiki/Lacus_Temporis

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