Oct. 8, 2014, Total Lunar Eclipse Belongs to Saros Series 127

Summary: The Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2014, total lunar eclipse belongs to Saros cycle 127, a series of 72 similar lunar eclipses.

Penumbral lunar eclipse of Tuesday, July 9, 1275, opened Saros 127’s lineup of 72 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 Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2014, total lunar eclipse belongs to Saros cycle 122, which comprises 72 lunar eclipses with similar geometries.

October’s total lunar eclipse begins Wednesday, Oct. 8, at 08:15:33 Universal Time, according to NASA’s Eclipse Web Site. Greatest eclipse takes place at 10:54:36 UT. Greatest eclipse indicates the instant of the moon’s closest passage to the axis of Earth’s shadow. The eclipse ends at 13:33:43 UT.

October 2014’s total lunar eclipse appears as number 42 in the lineup of 72 lunar eclipses that compose Saros cycle 127. Similar geometries group the 72 lunar eclipses together into a family, known as a series.

Retired NASA astrophysicist Fred Espenak’s EclipseWise website describes Saros 127 lunar eclipses as sharing the geometry of occurring at the moon’s descending node. With each succeeding eclipse in Saros 127, the lunar movement is northward with respect to the descending node.

An ascending node and a descending node signal the intersections of Earth’s orbit by the moon’s orbit. The two nodes reveal the approximately 5.1 degree tilt of the lunar orbit with respect to Earth’s orbit. The ascending node marks the moon’s orbital crossing to the north of Earth’s orbit. The descending node indicates the lunar orbital crossing to the south of Earth’s orbit.

Saros lunar series 127’s number attests to the occurrence of the series’ eclipses at the descending node. Odd-numbered lunar Saros series are linked with the descending node. Even numbers are assigned to the ascending node’s lunar eclipses.

A Saros cycle of approximately 6,585.3 days (18 years 11 days 8 hours) guides the periodicity and recurrence of eclipses. A Saros series contains 70 or more lunar eclipses, with each separated from its predecessor by a Saros cycle. A Saros series typically spreads over 12 to 15 centuries.

Saros series 127 lasts for 1,280.14 years, according to NASA Eclipse Web Site. Saros series 127 unfolds over 14 centuries. Saros series 127 spans the 13th through 24th centuries.

Lunar eclipses in Saros series 127 observe a sequence order of 11 penumbral lunar eclipses, 18 partial lunar eclipses, 16 total lunar eclipses, 20 partial lunar eclipses and seven penumbral lunar eclipses. Penumbral lunar eclipses claim the most frequency in Saros series 127, with a total of 38 occurrences. Penumbral lunar eclipses appear as the second most frequent lunar eclipse type in the series, with a total of 18 occurrences.

The 13th century’s penumbral lunar eclipse of Tuesday, July 9, 1275, initiated Saros series 127. This eclipse occurred near the southern edge of the penumbra (shadow’s lighter, outer region). This event’s greatest eclipse took place over northeastern Australia, east of Cudmore National Park and west of Blair Athol State Forest in Central West Queensland.

The 26th century’s penumbral eclipse of Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2555, ends Saros series 122. This eclipse will occur near the penumbra’s northern edge. This event will reach its greatest eclipse over the southwest Pacific Ocean’s Banda Sea, south of Seram Island and north of Yamdena in the Indonesian archipelago of the Moluccas (Maluku Islands).

The Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2014, total lunar eclipse occurs as number 13 in Saros series 127’s intermediate sequence of 16 total lunar eclipses. This event will stage its greatest eclipse over the north central Pacific Ocean, northwest of the unincorporated U.S. Territory of Jarvis Island and southeast of the unincorporated U.S. Territory of Johnston Atoll (Kalama Atoll).

The total eclipse of Friday, Sept. 27, 1996, is the predecessor of October 2014’s total lunar eclipse. This event’s greatest eclipse took place over the northwestern Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Belém, capital of northern Brazil’s state of Pará.

The April 1996 total eclipse occurred as number 12 in Saros series 127’s intermediate sequence of 16 total lunar eclipses. This eclipse appears as number 41 in the series’ lineup of 72 lunar eclipses.

The total lunar eclipse of Monday, Oct. 18, 2032, is the successor of the Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2014, total lunar eclipse in Saros series 127. This event’s greatest eclipse will take place over the northeastern Indian Ocean, southwest of the Republic of India Union Territory of Lakshadweep’s Agatti Island and northwest of Lakshadweep’s island of Minicoy (Maliku).

The April 2032 eclipse occurs as the number 14 in Saros series 127’s intermediate sequence of 16 total lunar eclipses. This eclipse appears as number 43 in the series’ lineup of 72 lunar eclipses.

The takeaway for the Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2014, total lunar eclipse is that the astronomical event occurs as number 42 in Saros series 127’s lineup of 72 lunar eclipses and as number 13 in the series’ intermediate sequence of 16 total lunar eclipses.

Penumbral lunar eclipse of Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2555, will close Saros series 127’s lineup of 72 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 Tuesday, July 9, 1275, opened Saros 127’s lineup of 72 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/1201-1300/LE1275-07-09N.gif

Penumbral lunar eclipse of Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2555, will close Saros series 127’s lineup of 72 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/2501-2600/LE2555-09-02N.gif

For further information:

Espenak, Fred. “Eclipses During 2014.” NASA Eclipse Web Site > Lunar Eclipses > Lunar Eclipses: Past and Future.
Available via NASA Eclipse Web Site @ https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/OH/OH2014.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. “Penumbral 1275 Jul 09." 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: 127 > Catalog of Lunar Eclipse Saros Series: Saros Series 127: 01 -34 1275 Jul 09.
Available via NASA Eclipse Web Site @ https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/5MCLEmap/1201-1300/LE1275-07-09N.gif

Espenak, Fred. “Penumbral 2555 Sep 02." 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: 127 > Catalog of Lunar Eclipse Saros Series: Saros Series 127: 72 37 2555 Sep 02.
Available via NASA Eclipse Web Site @ https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/5MCLEmap/2501-2600/LE2555-09-02N.gif

Espenak, Fred. “Penumbral Lunar Eclipse of 1275 Jul 09.” EclipseWise > Lunar Eclipses > Lunar Eclipse Links > Six Millennium Catalog of Lunar Eclipses -2999 to +3000 (3000 BCE to 3000 CE) > 1201 to 1300 (1201 CE to 1300 CE).
Available via EclipseWise @ http://eclipsewise.com/lunar/LEprime/1201-1300/LE1275Jul09Nprime.html

Espenak, Fred. “Penumbral Lunar Eclipse of 2555 Sep 02.” EclipseWise > Lunar Eclipses > Lunar Eclipse Links > Six Millennium Catalog of Lunar Eclipses -2999 to +3000 (3000 BCE to 3000 CE) > 2501 to 2600 (2501 CE to 2600 CE).
Available via EclipseWise @ http://eclipsewise.com/lunar/LEprime/2501-2600/LE2555Sep02Nprime.html

Espenak, Fred. “Total 1996 Sep 27." 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: 127 > Catalog of Lunar Eclipse Saros Series: Saros Series 127: 41 06 1996 Sep 27.
Available via NASA Eclipse Web Site @ https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/5MCLEmap/1901-2000/LE1996-09-27T.gif

Espenak, Fred. “Total 2014 Oct 08." 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: 127 > Catalog of Lunar Eclipse Saros Series: Saros Series 127: 42 07 2014 Oct 08.
Available via NASA Eclipse Web Site @ https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/5MCLEmap/2001-2100/LE2014-10-08T.gif

Espenak, Fred. “Total 2032 Oct 18." 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: 127 > Catalog of Lunar Eclipse Saros Series: Saros Series 127: 43 08 2032 Oct 18.
Available via NASA Eclipse Web Site @ https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/5MCLEmap/2001-2100/LE2032-10-18T.gif

Espenak, Fred. “Total Lunar Eclipse of 1996 Sep 27.” 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/LE1996Sep27Tprime.html

Espenak, Fred. “Total Lunar Eclipse of 2014 Oct 08.” 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/LE2014Oct08Tprime.html

Espenak, Fred. “Total Lunar Eclipse of 2032 Oct 18.” 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/LE2032Oct18Tprime.html

Espenak, Fred; Jean Meeus. "Saros Series 127." NASA Eclipse Web Site > Lunar Eclipses > Catalog of Lunar Eclipse Saros Series.
Available via NASA Eclipse Web Site @ https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/LEsaros/LEsaros127.html

Marriner, Derdriu. “April 15, 2014, Total Lunar Eclipse Belongs to Saros Series 122.” Earth and Space News. Wednesday, April 2, 2014.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2014/04/april-15-2014-total-lunar-eclipse.html

Marriner, Derdriu. “Second of Two 2014 Total Lunar Eclipses Happens Wednesday, Oct. 8.” Earth and Space News. Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2014.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2014/10/second-of-two-2014-total-lunar-eclipses.html

Smith, Ian Cameron. “Penumbral Lunar Eclipse of 2 Sep, 2555 AD.” Moon Blink > Hermit Eclipse > Eclipse Database > Full Lunar Catalog > 2001-3000 AD > 2501 AD > 2541-2560 AD.
Available @ https://moonblink.info/Eclipse/eclipse/2555_09_02

Smith, Ian Cameron. “Penumbral Lunar Eclipse of 9 Jul, 1275 AD.” Moon Blink > Hermit Eclipse > Eclipse Database > Full Lunar Catalog > 1001-2000 AD > 1201 AD > 1261-1280 AD.
Available @ https://moonblink.info/Eclipse/eclipse/1275_07_09

Smith, Ian Cameron. “Total Lunar Eclipse of 8 Oct, 2014 AD.” Moon Blink > Hermit Eclipse > Eclipse Database > Full Lunar Catalog > 2001-3000 AD > 2001 AD > 2001-2020 AD.
Available @ https://moonblink.info/Eclipse/eclipse/2014_10_08

Smith, Ian Cameron. “Total Lunar Eclipse of 18 Oct, 2032 AD.” Moon Blink > Hermit Eclipse > Eclipse Database > Full Lunar Catalog > 2001-3000 AD > 2001 AD > 2021-2040 AD.
Available @ https://moonblink.info/Eclipse/eclipse/2032_10_18

Smith, Ian Cameron. “Total Lunar Eclipse of 27 Sep, 1996 AD.” Moon Blink > Hermit Eclipse > Eclipse Database > Full Lunar Catalog > 1001-2000 AD > 1901 AD > 1981-2000 AD.
Available @ https://moonblink.info/Eclipse/eclipse/1996_09_27