Monday, May 16, 2022, Total Lunar Eclipse Belongs to Saros Cycle 131

Summary: The Monday, May 16, 2022, total lunar eclipse belongs to Saros cycle 131, a series of 72 similar lunar eclipses.

A penumbral eclipse on May 10, 1427, opened Saros cycle 131's lineup of 72 similar eclipses; credit: Eclipse map/figure/table/predictions courtesy of Fred Espenak, NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, from eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov: no copyright, via NASA Eclipse Web Site

The Monday, May 16, 2022, total lunar eclipse belongs to Saros cycle 131, which comprises 72 lunar eclipses displaying similar geometries.

The Saros cycle groups eclipses with similar geometries, such as occurrence at the same lunar node, the crossing point of the moon's and Earth's orbits. Same Saros cycle eclipses observe an approximately similar distance from Earth and a similar time of occurrence in the year. The Saros cycle assigns similar eclipses to families, known as series.

Saros cycle 131 lunar eclipses occur at the moon's descending node, which marks the point of the moon's crossing to the south of Earth's orbit. Each Saros cycle 131 lunar eclipse reveals the moon's northward movement with respect to the node.

A Saros cycle lasts for approximately 6,585.3 days (18 years 11 days 8 hours). Saros cycle 131 specifically lasts for 1280.14 years, according to the NASA Eclipse Web Site. Saros series 131's first eclipse appeared as a penumbral eclipse May 10, 1427, with the lunar passage through the southern edge of Earth's penumbra (the lighter, outer region of Earth's shadow). The cycle's 72nd and final eclipse will take place July 7, 2707, near the penumbra's northern edge.

Saros cycle 131's 72 lunar eclipses cluster into four sets comprising two sets of penumbral lunar eclipses, two sets of partial lunar eclipses and one set of total lunar eclipses. The sets sequence as seven penumbral, 22 partial, 15 total, 20 partial and eight penumbral.

The cycle's first set, consisting of seven penumbral lunar eclipses, numbers as the first of the cycle's two penumbral sets. The first penumbral set opened Saros cycle 131 on May 10, 1427. The set's seventh and last penumbral lunar eclipse took place July 14, 1535.

Saros 131 cycle's second set, which numbered as the cycle's first of two partial sets, contained 22 partial lunar eclipses. The second set's opener, the partial lunar eclipse of July 25, 1553, numbered as the first of the set's 22 partial lunar eclipses as the eighth of Saros 131 cycle's 72-member lineup. The second set's closer, the partial lunar eclipse of Tuesday, March 22, 1932, numbered as the 22nd of the set's 22 partial lunar eclipses and as the 29th of Saros 131 cycle's 72-member lineup.

The cycle's third set, comprising 15 total lunar eclipses, represents the cycle's first and only set of total lunar eclipses. The third set's opener, the total lunar eclipse of Sunday, April 2, 1950, numbers as the first of the sets 15 total lunar eclipses and as the 30th of Saros 131 cycle's 72-member lineup. The third set's closer, the total lunar eclipse of Friday, Sep. 3, 2202, numbers as the 15th of the set's 15 total lunar eclipses and as the 44th of Saros 131 cycle's 72-member lineup.

The Monday, May 16, 2022, falls within Saros 131 cycle's total set. The May 2022 total lunar eclipse occurs as the fifth of the set's 15 total lunar eclipses and as the 34th of Saros 131 cycle's 72-member lineup.

The Saros 131 cycle's predecessor of May's total lunar eclipse was the total lunar eclipse of Tuesday, May 4, 2004. The May 2004 total lunar eclipse numbered as fourth of the set's 15 total lunar eclipses and as the 33rd of Saros 131 cycle's 72-member lineup.

The Saros 131 cycle's successor of May's total lunar eclipse was the total lunar eclipse of Saturday, May 26, 2040. The May 2040 total lunar eclipse numbers as sixth of the set's 15 total lunar eclipses and as the 35th of Saros 131 cycle's 72-member lineup.

Saros 131 cycle's fourth set numbers as the second of the cycle's two partial sets. The fourth set contains 20 partial lunar eclipses. The fourth set's opener, the partial lunar eclipse of Wednesday, Sep. 13, 2220, numbers as the first of the set's 20 partial lunar eclipses and as the 45th of Saros 131 cycle's 72-member lineup. Saturday, April 9, 2563, numbers as the 20th of the set's 20 partial lunar eclipses and as the 64th of Saros 131 cycle's 72-member lineup.

The cycle's fifth and last set numbers as the second of the cycle's two penumbral sets. The fifth set comprises eight penumbral lunar eclipses. The fifth set's opener, the penumbral lunar eclipse of Friday, April 20, 2581, numbers as the first of the set's eight penumbral lunar eclipses and as the 65th of Saros 131 cycle's 72-member lineup. Combined with Saros 131 cycle's first set of seven penumbral eclipses, the April 2581 eclipse numbers as the eighth of the cycle's 15 penumbral lunar eclipses (first penumbral set's seven plus second penumbral set's eight).

Saros cycle 131 ends with the fifth set's closer, the penumbral lunar eclipse of Sunday, July 7, 2707. The July 2707 eclipse numbers as the eighth of the fifth set's eight penumbral lunar eclipses, as the 15th of the cycle's lineup of 15 penumbral lunar eclipses and as the 72nd and last of Saros 131 cycle's 72-member lineup.

The eclipse predictions by now-retired NASA astrophysicist Fred Espenak and Belgian mathematical astronomer Jean Meeus on NASA’s Eclipse Web Site identify the Monday, June 28, 2094, total lunar eclipse's duration of 01 hour 40 minutes 36 seconds as the longest lasting in the Saros 131 cycle's set of 15 total lunar eclipses. The June 2094 total lunar eclipse numbers as the ninth of the 15-member total eclipse set and as the 38th of Saros 131 cycle's 72-member lineup.

The Thursday, Sep. 3, 2202, total lunar eclipse's brevity of 19 minutes 36 seconds qualifies it as Saros 131 cycle's shortest total lunar eclipse. The September 2202 total lunar eclipse numbers as Saros 131 cycle's 15th and last total lunar eclipse and as the 44th of the cycle's 72-member lineup.

Saros 131 cycle's second and first partial sets provide the cycle's longest and shortest partial lunar eclipses, respectively. The second set's closer, the partial lunar eclipse of Wednesday, Sep. 13, 2220, establishes itself as the cycle's longest partial lunar eclipse with a duration of 3 hours 7 minutes 57 seconds. The September 2220 partial lunar eclipse numbers as the 45th of the cycle's 72-member lineup. The first set's opener, the partial lunar eclipse of July 25, 1553, qualifies as the cycle's shortest partial lunar eclipse with a brevity of 2 minutes 33 seconds. The July 1553 partial lunar eclipse numbers as the eighth of the cycle's 72-member lineup.

Saros 131 cycle's second and first penumbral sets provide the cycle's longest and shortest penumbral lunar eclipses, respectively. The second set's opener, the penumbral lunar eclipse of Friday, April 20, 2581, identifies as the cycle's longest-lasting penumbral lunar eclipse with a duration of 4 hours 32 minutes 12 seconds. The April 2581 penumbral lunar eclipse numbers as the 65th of the cycle's 72-member lineup. The first set's opener, the penumbral lunar eclipse of May 10, 1427, exhibited a brevity of 29 minutes 5 seconds as the cycle's shortest penumbral lunar eclipse.

The takeaways for the Monday, May 16, 2022, total lunar eclipse's belonging to Saros cycle 131 are that the event numbers as the fifth of the cycle's 15 total lunar eclipses and that the November 2022 total lunar eclipse occurs as the 34th of Saros 131 cycle's 72-member lineup.

A penumbral eclipse on July 7, 270, will close Saros cycle 131 as the cycle's 72nd and last member; credit: Eclipse map/figure/table/predictions courtesy of Fred Espenak, NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, from eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov: no copyright, 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:

A penumbral eclipse on May 10, 1427, opened Saros cycle 131's lineup of 72 similar eclipses; credit: Eclipse map/figure/table/predictions courtesy of Fred Espenak, NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, from eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov: no copyright, via NASA Eclipse Web Site @ https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/5MCLEmap/1401-1500/LE1427-05-10N.gif

A penumbral eclipse on July 7, 2707, will close Saros cycle 131 as the cycle's 72nd and last member; credit: Eclipse map/figure/table/predictions courtesy of Fred Espenak, NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, from eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov: no copyright, via NASA Eclipse Web Site @ https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/5MCLEmap/2701-2800/LE2707-07-07N.gif

For further information:

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

Espenak, Fred. "Partial 1553 Jul 25." NASA Eclipse Web Site > Lunar Eclipses > Catalog of Lunar Eclipse Saros Series > Lunar Eclipse Catalogs > Summary of Saros Series 126 to 150.
Available @ https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/5MCLEmap/1501-1600/LE1553-07-25P.gif

Espenak, Fred. "Partial 1932 Mar 22." NASA Eclipse Web Site > Lunar Eclipses > Catalog of Lunar Eclipse Saros Series > Lunar Eclipse Catalogs > Summary of Saros Series 126 to 150.
Available @ https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/5MCLEmap/1901-2000/LE1932-03-22P.gif

Espenak, Fred. "Partial 2220 Sep 13." NASA Eclipse Web Site > Lunar Eclipses > Catalog of Lunar Eclipse Saros Series > Lunar Eclipse Catalogs > Summary of Saros Series 126 to 150.
Available @ https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/5MCLEmap/2201-2300/LE2220-09-13P.gif

Espenak, Fred. "Partial 2563 Apr 09." NASA Eclipse Web Site > Lunar Eclipses > Catalog of Lunar Eclipse Saros Series > Lunar Eclipse Catalogs > Summary of Saros Series 126 to 150.
Available @ https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/5MCLEmap/2501-2600/LE2563-04-09P.gif

Espenak, Fred. "Penumbral 1427 May 10." NASA Eclipse Web Site > Lunar Eclipses > Catalog of Lunar Eclipse Saros Series > Lunar Eclipse Catalogs > Summary of Saros Series 126 to 150.
Available @ https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/5MCLEmap/1401-1500/LE1427-05-10N.gif

Espenak, Fred. "Penumbral 1535 Jul 14." NASA Eclipse Web Site > Lunar Eclipses > Catalog of Lunar Eclipse Saros Series > Lunar Eclipse Catalogs > Summary of Saros Series 126 to 150.
Available @ https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/5MCLEmap/1501-1600/LE1535-07-14N.gif

Espenak, Fred. "Penumbral 2581 Apr 20." NASA Eclipse Web Site > Lunar Eclipses > Catalog of Lunar Eclipse Saros Series > Lunar Eclipse Catalogs > Summary of Saros Series 126 to 150.
Available @ https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/5MCLEmap/2501-2600/LE2581-04-20N.gif

Espenak, Fred. "Penumbral 2707 Jul 07." NASA Eclipse Web Site > Lunar Eclipses > Catalog of Lunar Eclipse Saros Series > Lunar Eclipse Catalogs > Summary of Saros Series 126 to 150.
Available @ https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/5MCLEmap/2701-2800/LE2707-07-07N.gif

Espenak, Fred. "Saros Series 136." NASA Eclipse Web Site > Lunar Eclipses > Catalog of Lunar Eclipse Saros Series > Lunar Eclipse Catalogs > Summary of Saros Series 126 to 150.
Available @ https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/LEsaros/LEsaros136.html

Espenak, Fred. "Total 1950 Apr 02." NASA Eclipse Web Site > Lunar Eclipses > Catalog of Lunar Eclipse Saros Series > Lunar Eclipse Catalogs > Summary of Saros Series 126 to 150.
Available @ https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/5MCLEmap/1901-2000/LE1950-04-02T.gif

Espenak, Fred. "Total 2004 May 04." NASA Eclipse Web Site > Lunar Eclipses > Catalog of Lunar Eclipse Saros Series > Lunar Eclipse Catalogs > Summary of Saros Series 126 to 150.
Available @ https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/5MCLEmap/2001-2100/LE2004-05-04T.gif

Espenak, Fred. "Total 2040 May 04." NASA Eclipse Web Site > Lunar Eclipses > Catalog of Lunar Eclipse Saros Series > Lunar Eclipse Catalogs > Summary of Saros Series 126 to 150.
Available @ https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/5MCLEmap/2001-2100/LE2004-05-04T.gif

Espenak, Fred. "Total 2094 Jun 28." NASA Eclipse Web Site > Lunar Eclipses > Catalog of Lunar Eclipse Saros Series > Lunar Eclipse Catalogs > Summary of Saros Series 126 to 150.
Available @ https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/5MCLEmap/2001-2100/LE2094-06-28T.gif

Espenak, Fred. "Total 2202 Sep 03." NASA Eclipse Web Site > Lunar Eclipses > Catalog of Lunar Eclipse Saros Series > Lunar Eclipse Catalogs > Summary of Saros Series 126 to 150.
Available @ https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/5MCLEmap/2201-2300/LE2202-09-03T.gif

Espenak, Fred. "Total Lunar Eclipse of 2022 May 16." EclipseWise > Lunar Eclipses > Recent and Upcoming Lunar Eclipses > Decade Tables of Lunar Eclipses > Lunar Eclipses: 2021-2030.
Available @ http://eclipsewise.com/lunar/LEprime/2001-2100/LE2022May16Tprime.html

Espenak, Fred. "Total Lunar Eclipse of 2022 May 16." NASA Eclipse Web Site > Lunar Eclipses > Decade Long Tables of Past and Future Lunar Eclipses > Lunar Eclipses: 2021-2030.
Available @ https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/LEplot/LEplot2001/LE2022May16T.pdf

Marriner, Derdriu. "May 16 Total Lunar Eclipse Is First of Two 2022 Total Lunar Eclipses." Earth and Space News. Wednesday, May 4, 2022.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2022/05/may-16-total-lunar-eclipse-is-first-of.html